A question that we often get asked about hearing aids is whether it’s worth it to go to Costco for them. It makes sense; Costco’s branded hearing aids are cheap and quick, and if you don’t like them, you can return them within six months for a refund.
However, as we tell all our patients, big box retailers aren’t providing as detailed a service as a professional team of audiologists. How do we know? Let’s call it insider knowledge: as a Costco membership holder, I went and scoped out the hearing clinic myself to see what the major differences are on both sides of the playing field.
There are pros and cons to working with Costco, and as someone who knows the importance of working with a team of experts but benefits from the convenience of Costco’s shopping megastores, here’s what I found.
Busy Means Business (Not Treatment)
One thing about Costco is that it’s always busy. People come in and out for groceries, food, and hearing aid fittings constantly throughout the workday, so it’s a constant churn of test, fit, test, fit, test, fit.
I saw people coming in and coming out pretty frequently from the hearing clinic inside the store, like an assembly line. While the Costco method is streamlined and the testing seems surprisingly thorough, there’s no attention to detail like there is with a professional audiologist.
For example, if a patient came to me here with hearing loss and tinnitus struggles, I’d be able to screen for both the hearing loss and the tinnitus symptoms. At Costco, the hearing test would only be able to test for hearing loss. The patient in need would then be offered a hearing aid to help with both instead of getting specialized tinnitus therapies or treatment.
The testing is fast, but there’s no chance to get to know the patient as a person or offer personalized treatment for their specific hearing loss past the hearing aid itself.
High Risk, High Return Rates
Costco’s policy states that if you’re not satisfied with your hearing aids within six months, you can return them for a full refund. That often draws people in who aren’t sure if hearing aids are the right choice for alleviating their hearing challenges.
With just two brands of hearing aids in their arsenal (versus the wide variety of makes and models that we carry here), Costco focuses on the end result: stronger hearing. Which, quite often, patients get… for a while.
Costco is noisy, whether you’re getting a hearing test or not. Checkout lanes whirring, scanners beeping, shoppers talking, intercoms crackling… Imagine testing your new hearing aids out while wandering the aisles, looking at bulk-buy popcorn and chicken nuggets! It’s distracting and overstimulating, and I couldn’t imagine trying to focus on Costco’s hearing test among all the noise.
The return rates for Costco hearing aids are exceedingly high because there’s no time to fine-tune the hearing aids for each person’s specific needs. You get a hearing aid but significantly less hearing care – which makes a huge difference.
Hearing Aids Versus Hearing Health
The main point of contention between Costco and a team of audiologists is the difference between selling hearing aids and offering comprehensive hearing care.
At Costco, time is money – after a quick search online, there’s no front desk service in the store, so patients book online and don’t speak to anyone until they’re at their appointment already. It’s clear that while their services are quick, surprisingly thorough, and efficient, there’s a significant lack of that human touch.
However, with a dedicated audiology clinic, you’re greeted at the door by our friendly receptionist, who will check you in for your appointment and make sure you’re comfortable before you’re seen by an audiologist that wants to help you, not help sell you a product.
Hearing aids can be integral to addressing your hearing loss challenges, but great technology is just one piece of the puzzle – it’s the care and guidance from a team of passionate audiologists that make your investment worth every penny.
If you’re curious about hearing care or would like to speak to a member of our team about hearing aids, please feel free to request a callback, and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can to help.
Don’t want to wait? Find your closest clinic and call us for a more immediate conversation.
