Aging and Hearing Loss: Can You Talk About It?

Have tried to talk about this with friends and family with hearing issues but one of the main issue is cost of hearing aids being unaffordable and not covered under insurance.

I will be setting up an appointment for hearing tests for my husband and I. Have not got to the point of looking for a hearing but I have heard that they are expensive and not covered at all. Have you have an experience.

@julie4 Oh, Julie, does this speak to me (if you pardon the pun)!

I got my binaural hearing aids in 2018 when I was 67-years-old. I had been monitoring my hearing over a period of 20 years just waiting for the time when my hearing loss would "qualify" for hearing aids with my workplace insurance at the time. I adjusted to them quickly and I use them every day. I *know* my partner has a hearing loss given his frequent misunderstandings and lack of response and both of these have occurred within just the past few years. I've asked him many times about getting his hearing tested. I've never said he might need hearing aids. His response? "You fiddle with your hearing aids a lot and I don't want to do that". He's referring to my iPhone where I have an app for my hearing aid control. Yes, I do "fiddle" with my phone because I'm adjusting for the hearing environment and for amplification.

My mom and friend had hearing test and hearing aids were costly similar to down payment of a house. Not covered by insurance so out of pocket for both of them. Good luck!

Hi @marjou,

I'm not sure if everyone is aware of this but Costco has a hearing aid center that is low-cost compared to other distributors. It is important to have your hearing evaluated by a registered audiologist but then you can take that evaluation to a Costco store and get two hearing aids for under $1500. (Costco will also do their own evaluation but I think it is important to have a medical professional do one first.) This is mostly used by folks with mild to moderate hearing loss.

You might look into it. Costco also offers a six-month trial period which is much more generous than most hearing aid distributors.

We will see the ENT first but do you need to be a member of Costo to go there for a hearing aid?

Hi @carolee888,

Since I have a Costco membership I don't know the answer, however, I don't think you need to be a member, but please call and check first. After you have your ENT appointment and then call for an appointment at Costco, just ask.

I know that at Costco you can fill prescriptions or get eyeglasses without being a member so perhaps the policy about hearing aids is the same.

Will you let me know what you find out?

I am 77 years and recently got Hearing Aids from Mayo Clinic. I had no idea that I had loss some of my Hearing. My husband told me he was tired of me asking him to repeat what he was saying to me. So I went to a common advertised company for a Hearing Test. The test they gave me so benign I didn’t want to continue with them. I then went to Mayo Clinic and got a comprehensive testing evaluation. The Hearing AIDS costs were $2300 each plus Mayo’s costs for their services were around $500. I am making monthly payments to Mayo Clinic. I am happy with the clearer sound even in a crowed loud situation. They are somewhat too loud and I need to go back to Mayo Clinic to reprogram them to my new iPhone so I can control them more. Once I get them put on I really forget they are there. I have even gone to sleep with them on a few times because I forgot they were in.

I will do that. I recently had an eye operation and recovering from that . My husband does not want me to make the appointment until my eye is better, Will let you know but I may be a while. Thank you for the information.

@mercuryrose I'm like you. My hearing aids are so comfortable that I forget I have them in. I've almost worn them into the shower a few time and definitely had them on when I got in bed at night.

The cost of your hearing aids is about the same as mine. I have regular visits with my audiologist who reprograms as needed based on my feedback. Since I return to the practice where I purchased my hearing aids these follow up visits are at no charge.

Did you consider going to Costco?