Costco is famous for its sealed concrete flooring, bargain-basement prices, and 64 oz. jars of jelly beans. However, the discount retailer also sells hearing aids. In fact, Costco sells 11% of all hearing aids in the United States, making it the second-largest provider of hearing aids—just after the Department of Veterans Affairs.
With prices ranging from $1,400 to $3,200 a pair, Costco hearing aids are certainly less expensive than the ones you’ll buy in a traditional hearing aid clinic (which average $4,600 a pair). But several questions remain: Are Costco hearing aids any good? How does Costco compare to other hearing aid providers? And, is there a more affordable alternative?
To answer these questions, we’ve collaborated with hearing aid engineers and audiologists to create the best resource for Costco hearing aid information on the internet. After reading this guide, you’ll have all the facts you need to evaluate whether Costco hearing aids are the right match for your budget and needs.
Please use the following links to navigate this guide:
- Costco Hearing Screening and Clinic Services
- Comparing Costco Hearing Aids to Other Options
- Popular Costco Hearing Aids (with Customer Reviews)
- Kirkland Signature 10.0
- Philips HearLink 9030
- Rexton M-Core iX
- Phonak Brio 3.0
- GN ReSound Preza
- An Affordable Alternative to Costco Hearing Aids
Costco’s Hearing Screening and Clinic Services
Image Source: Screenshot from Costco Website Video Gallery
Costco hearing centers offer free hearing screenings to all Costco members. Although the facilities are set against a backdrop of cinder blocks, don’t be fooled by the spartan appearance. Costco gets the job done. They provide medical-grade, professional hearing tests to reveal the extent of your hearing loss. Best of all, you can finish up your grocery shopping after the test is done.
Costco hearing aid centers have trained hearing specialists to guide you through the hearing test. These employees offer treatment recommendations, suggest hearing aids, and fit/adjust hearing aids according to your preference and needs. In some Costco locations, an audiologist is available, but usually only a hearing specialist will be present.
It’s important to remember that many Costco locations don’t have a hearing center. To find the hearing center nearest to your location, look up your city on the Costco website by clicking on this link. Enter the name of your city, check the “Hearing Aids” box, and click “search.”
Here’s what we found in the Chicago area:
Finally, patients who buy Costco hearing aids also benefit from free follow-up appointments, regular check-ups, and hearing aid cleanings as needed. Costco hearing aid purchases also include loss and damage coverage, a 90-day trial period, and a warranty period that varies depending on the hearing aid.
Please note that the hearing screenings and other hearing aid services at Costco are not exactly “free.” They’re only available to Costco members. If you don’t have a membership, you’ll have to pay $60 for an annual membership. However, if you want to test your hearing for free right now via the internet (without paying a fee), click this link to try MDHearing’s free online hearing test. It only takes 8 minutes, and you’ll receive detailed results immediately. We also recommend this free telephone-based hearing test that offers clinically proven accuracy.
Money-saving tip: There’s absolutely no obligation to buy a hearing aid after getting a Costco hearing test. That means you can use your free Costco test results to buy a more affordable hearing aid somewhere else. For example, MDHearing can use your Costco hearing test results to custom-tune the MDHearing VOLT MAX to your unique hearing loss profile (saving you nearly $700 in the process).
Comparing Costco Hearing Aids to Other Options
Depending on whether you go to a traditional hearing clinic, Costco, or purchase direct-to-consumer hearing aids via the internet, the prices and shopping experience vary dramatically. Here’s how each of these options compare:
Traditional Hearing Clinic
Cost: Consumers who buy hearing aids from a traditional hearing aid clinic or audiologist will pay approximately $4,600 a pair (U.S. national average). Costs may go much higher, even exceeding $8,000 per ear if you select a top-of-the-line model with all the bells and whistles. Meanwhile, bargain shoppers might be able to purchase an entry-level hearing aid for $2,500 a pair at a hearing clinic.
Process: The process of buying hearing aids at a hearing clinic requires an in-person hearing test, consultations, fittings, and adjustments. Many hearing aid clinics try to upsell their customers by convincing them that they need the newest, most expensive hearing aid model available (even when a more affordable model will suffice). Don’t be fooled into paying more than you need when visiting a hearing clinic!
Costco Hearing Centers
Cost: A set of Costco’s Kirkland Signature hearing aids costs $1,399.99 a pair. Costco has other options from name-brand hearing aid manufacturers that cost anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000 and up per ear (prices may vary).
Process: At Costco, you’ll complete an in-person hearing test that takes about 20 minutes. Then you’ll receive a consultation. If you need a hearing aid, the Costco hearing specialist will recommend an appropriate hearing aid. Costco hearing specialists won’t try to upsell you. They’re generally happy to recommend the most affordable hearing aid you need.
Direct-to-Consumer Hearing Aids
What are they? You can order direct-to-consumer hearing aids by phone or over the internet and they are shipped directly to your home. MDHearing is a direct-to-consumer hearing aid manufacturer that has pioneered the selling of high-quality, affordable hearing aids directly to consumers for over a decade. All MDHearing products are FDA-registered, and they offer world-class, highly effective hearing loss treatment.
Cost: A set of MDHearing’s best-selling hearing aids costs $299.98 a pair. MDHearing sells other models with more advanced features, such as rechargeable batteries, directional microphones, smartphone app connectivity, and remote support services that allow MDHearing staff to adjust your hearing aids over the internet. MDHearing’s more advanced models are priced from $299.98 to $699.98 a pair.
Process: Customers order direct-to-consumer hearing aids online or by phone and receive them in several days. MDHearing VOLT MAX customers can check their hearing using the MDHearing app, and then the hearing aids automatically tune themselves based on the hearing check results. Other models offer pre-programmed settings that fit approximately 94% of individuals with hearing loss.
| Cost per Pair | Steps to Buy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Hearing Aid Provider | $4,600 avg | In-person hearing test followed by recommendations from an audiologist or hearing aid specialist |
| Costco Hearing Aids | $1,399.99 | In-person hearing test followed by recommendations from an audiologist or Costco hearing aid specialist |
| MDHearing.com | $299.98 | Order online or over the phone and receive hearing aids in a few days. Choose one of the pre-programmed hearing aid settings that fit the vast majority of hearing loss profiles. With the MDHearing VOLT MAX, take the MDHearing app hearing check and the hearing aids will automatically adjust themselves according to your results. Alternatively, send your professional hearing test results to MDHearing, and their team of hearing aid specialists will remotely custom-tune your VOLT MAX hearing aids according to the audiogram. |
Popular Costco Hearing Aids (with Customer Reviews)
Costco offers a variety of quality hearing aids. The most affordable ones are labeled under Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand. Others are from Philips, Rexton, Phonak, and GN ReSound. In many cases, these brands have created less expensive models—with fewer bells and whistles—exclusively for Costco.
As we like to say at MDHearing, the bells and whistles aren’t always worth the high price tags when it comes to hearing aids. In most cases, hearing loss patients only need a medically viable product that effectively treats mild to moderate hearing loss. This is exactly what Costco provides at a more affordable price.
Money-saving tip: MDHearing sells quality, affordable hearing aids that effectively treat mild to moderately-severe hearing loss—and they're a lot less expensive than Costco.
Let’s look at the most popular hearing aids that Costco offers:
Kirkland Signature 10.0
Image Source: Costco.com
Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand strives to offer quality products at affordable prices (whether its animal crackers, jelly beans, or hearing aids).
Costco doesn’t manufacture Kirkland Signature products itself. Currently, the hearing aid manufacturer Sonova is servicing the Kirkland Signature hearing aid brand. Previously, Costco has partnered with GN Resound, Rexton, and Sivantos to source its Kirkland Signature aids. Because Costco frequently switches hearing aid providers, Costco hearing aid specialists usually know a lot about the current Kirkland models, but they might not be very familiar with Kirkland models from a couple of years ago.
The most recent Kirkland Signature model is the Kirkland 10.0. According to Costco, the Kirkland Signature 10.0 is a rechargeable digital hearing aid that enables direct connectivity to cell phones through classic Bluetooth technology. This allows Android and iPhone users to stream calls and music directly into their ears.
The image below shows the Kirkland Signature 10.0 in detail:
Image Source: Kirkland Signature 10.0 Manual
Priced at $1399.99 a pair (prices may vary), the Kirkland Signature 10.0 offers the following:
- High-quality stereo sound
- TV sound streaming through a TV Connector feature
- Remote services that allow hearing specialists to adjust hearing aid settings and address problems via an internet connection
- An “Easy Line Remote” app to control the settings on your hearing aids via a smartphone
- Telecoil connectivity to connect the hearing aids to a landline phone
- Sound, call, and music streaming via Bluetooth connectivity
- Automatic adjustments based on the changing sound conditions around you
- Background noise reduction for optimum listening in noisy environments
- Dust and water resistance (up to 60 minutes of immersion in 1 meter of water)
Here’s what Costco customers are saying about the Kirkland Signature 10.0:
Would not recommend it. I replace my Resound appliances with these and while the sound quality of the hearing aids is good, the app that runs them on my iPhone XR is HORRIBLE. The Bluetooth connection fails daily and it will not reconnect. When it DID connect properly, each time you open the app (even if still running) you have to wait forever for the app to “connect” to make adjustments. The hearing aids will “connect” to my phone so I can take calls or listen to music, but they do not connect to the app, and will not connect after MANY attempts to reboot/restart, pair. Also, the control buttons are difficult to use and without the app all you can do is turn them up, down or off so you cannot program them, or adjust noise, or tone, etc. VERY frustrating. Have had them for about 2 weeks and they are going back to the store tomorrow and I’m trading up to the RESOUND. The cost savings is NOT worth the horrible user experience with the terrible app.” - Rick on Hearing Health Matters
I have been wearing hearing aids since 2000 and have always purchased them at Costco. I just picked up the KS 10.0’s. What a game-changer. I absolutely LOVE these hearing aids. Thank you Costco!” - Leslie on Hearing Health Matters
Who is the Kirkland Signature 10.0 Good for? The Kirkland Signature 10.0 is a great match for anyone who wants a quality, modern hearing aid, and doesn’t mind paying over $1,000 a pair. The Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and water resistance are particularly attractive features for a model in this price range. That being said, a pair of Kirkland Signature 10.0 still costs over $1,000 more than MDHearing's entry-level and rechargeable hearing aids (priced at just $299.98) and $700 more than MDHearing’s smart, rechargeable hearing aid (priced at just $699.98)
Due to the mix of good and bad experiences from Kirkland Signature 10.0 customers, make sure that you fully understand any limitations that may apply to Costco’s refund policy and trial period before purchasing these hearing aids.
Philips HearLink 9030
Image Source: Costco.com
Philips has been selling hearing aids since 2019. At Costco, customers can purchase the Philips HearLink 9030, which comes in two different styles: Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and Receiver-in-Canal (RIC). Priced at $1,799.99 a pair (prices may vary), the Phillips Hearlink 9030 offers the following features:
- SoundMap 2 with AI sound technology which helps reduce background noise in loud environments
- SoundTie technology that allows users to stream sounds, calls, and music from iPhone and Android devices
- Rechargeable batteries
- External devices for more functionality, including a TV adapter, external audio clip microphone, and big-button remote control
- Philips HearLink app to control the hearing aids via your smartphone and activate sound streaming
Here’s how Philips describes the HearLink 9030 after releasing it: “From the very advanced AI sound technology to the most tangible OpenBass dome, all updates contribute to making speech clearer to the user. These updates are also designed with the hearing care professional in mind with new controls (Speech Clarifier, 24 fitting bands), bringing new possibilities to address the needs of users of the new Philips HearLink.”
Here’s what Costco customers are saying about the Philips Hearlink 9030:
I’ve had the Phillips 9030 for 2 weeks in addition to my KS9’s. At first, I thought the Phillips were going to be my final choice as the noise suppression is awesome. I’ve had them adjusted twice along with my KS9's, but I quickly realized that the equalizer can only be fine-tuned during streaming. This is the dealbreaker for me why I will be returning the Phillips this coming week. I also didn’t like how I could hear the noise suppress cut in and out with conversation. It is really annoying to me.” - Crickee on Hearingtracker.com
They eat batteries. Batteries only last a few hours, less than a day. The hearing aids just cut off without warning and for no reason. All sorts of beeps and musical notes at the most inappropriate times that no one can explain. Had two sets of Kirklands from Costco that were superior to these. I will be purchasing replacements when it is safe to do so. These are going in the trash.” - Anonymous User on Hearingtracker.com
Figured I’d start documenting my experience with the new Philips Hearlink 9030 minirite T R. These came out recently at Costco and cost me $1800, plus $259 for the AudioClip. I purchased these yesterday so my experience is very limited with them and I’ve not been out in any challenging environments yet. Please excuse me for the randomness, but I’d like to document the experiences I’ve had so far. I work from home and am on many conference calls and essentially streaming audio about 4-5 hours per day. I have a noisy house with kids and dogs. I have a low frequency loss and have worn Oticon Opn 1 for the past 5 years. The Philips sound very familiar to me and in the general program, I’m hearing pretty much everything I’d expect to hear with my OPNs. The Philips have been terrific for streaming and the app albeit simplistic provides some much needed tuning while streaming (can adjust low/mid/high up to 6 dB or down 12 dB. I have my highs up 6 dB and am hearing great on calls.) Music sounds good as well to me, but consider that I don’t hear bass well. I went to a local store earlier for a quick package delivery. I turned on the noise program which was set noticeably more aggressive than the OPN. I really heard well and had no issues talking to the masked clerk while other customers next to me had their own conversations with other clerks. At almost 6pm after 11 hours of use, batteries are at 53%.” - Abarsanti on Hearingtracker.com
Who is the Philips HearLink 9030 good for? This model is best for patients who don’t mind spending $1,799.99 on a pair of hearing aids and prefer to own a name-brand product with more cutting-edge features. For most people, the features that come with this hearing aid will be overkill, but for those who want to try out HearLink’s AI background noise reduction technology, it might be a good option to try.
Due to the mix of good and bad experiences from Philips HearLink 9030 customers, make sure that you fully understand any limitations that may apply to Costco’s refund policy and trial period before purchasing these hearing aids.
Rexton M-Core iX
Image Source: Costco.com
Rexton is a hearing aid manufacturer that falls under the Sivantos family of brands—which is currently a part of the WS Audiology hearing aid conglomerate. Costco sells a variety of Rexton hearing aid models, including Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) and Behind-the-Ear (BTE) models. The most popular Rexton style that Costco sells is the M-Core iX—an invisible, In-the-Ear (ITE) design that fits completely within the ear canal.
According to Rexton: “The M-Core iX hearing aids use proven Motion Core technology to ensure you always hear what’s important to you. With their comfortable fit and virtually invisible design, you can rely on Rexton in any situation.”
Image Source: Rexton M-Core iX Manual
With prices ranging from $2,500 to $3,000 a pair (prices may vary depending on the state), the Rexton M-Core IX offers the following features:
- 20 fine-tuning channels
- 6 programs
- Invisible In-the-Ear (ITE) design
- Automatic voice detection for clearer speech understanding
- Bluetooth audio and music streaming from iPhone and iOS devices, but not the best compatibility with Android devices
- Feedback reduction for less “whistling” sounds
- Directional microphone
- Smartphone app control for remote hearing aid adjustments
- Remote services that allow hearing specialists to adjust hearing aid settings and address problems via an internet connection
Here’s what Costco customers are saying about the Rexton M-Core iX:
I use them for 9 months and could not be happier. The speech recognition is awesome, especially since English is my second language. I do not bother to change the programs, the Adaptive one is just perfect. I am very happy with that purchase.” - Danuta on Hearingtracker.com
I have had my hearing aids for 4 months. They work great. I am disappointed with the Bluetooth range. The phone has to be above my chest area to work. Also randomly one ear cuts out. They also turn off for no reason.” - Judy on Consumeraffairs.com
Since we bought the hearing aids we have had nothing but problems. They have never been able to set the right setting on them, they enhance all the sounds around my husband so the frequency he needs help to hear all run together. He can't wear them very long at all, because he gets a headache. We have taken them back to where he bought them no less than 12 times with no help, every time they try to adjust them with no luck. They have added tails to them so they would stay in his ears because they fall out. We paid right at 6,000.00 dollars and I would not give you a nickel for them. Very disappointed with the brand. If there is a company that could help us we would welcome the help! Thanks.” - Susan on Consumeraffairs.com
Who is the Rexton M-Core iX best for? This hearing aid is good for patients who want to have a nearly invisible ITE hearing aid design and don’t mind paying $2,500 to $3,000 a pair for their hearing aids. The Bluetooth audio and music streaming is an excellent feature. However, the M-Core iX doesn’t offer very good compatibility with Android devices. Also, it only has one power level. Finally, as a small, ITE device, the M-Core iX is a better fit for patients with mild hearing loss. It’s not the best for patients with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Due to the mix of good and bad experiences from Rexton M-Core iX customers, make sure that you fully understand any limitations that may apply to Costco’s refund policy and trial period before purchasing these hearing aids.
Phonak Brio 4
Image Source: Costco.com
Phonak is a Switzerland-based hearing aid manufacturer that’s been in business since 1947. With its longstanding history, Phonak has built a reputation for quality and innovation in the hearing aid industry. At Costco, the most popular Phonak hearing aid is the Brio 4.
According to Costco, “The Phonak Brio product lines come with innovative technologies, designed to provide better speech understanding in noisy listening environments.” The Brio 4 line features both Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) designs. Costco also offers the Brio 3 B-675, which is a powerful BTE hearing aid for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.
Image Source: Phonak Brio 4 Manual
With a Costco price of about $2,500 a pair (prices may vary), the Phonak Brio 4 is a BTE hearing aid that offers the following features:
- Bluetooth connectivity that offers sound, voice, and music streaming to and from iOS, Android, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. (Please note: Customer reviews indicate that not all Brio 4’s are Bluetooth compatible).
- The myPhonak app for remote control of your hearing aid’s volume and other settings from your smartphone.
- A number of wireless accessories such as a microphone for noisy situations, a TV connector, and a microphone for listening from a distance.
- Binaural voice streaming technology
- Roger wireless digital sound
- AutoSense OS technology that analyzes your listening environment and changes settings for better background noise reduction and clearer listening and understanding
- Directional microphones that feature adaptive directionality to focus on the most important sounds and voices
- Dust and water resistance (up to 60 minutes of immersion in 1 meter of water)
- Hands-free calls
- Remote assistance so that hearing aid professionals can adjust and tune your hearing aids without you needing to visit an office or clinic
- A variety of colors to suit your preferences
- Adaptive feedback noise cancelation to reduce high pitched whistling noises
Here’s what Costco customers are saying about the Brio 4:
My review here is mainly to let buyers know that the information provided in the many write-ups on Costco’s Brio 4 is not as clear as it should be. Based on everything I’ve read online I assumed that my Brio 4 in the ear aids would be Bluetooth compatible. They are not. After receiving my aids (which the audiologist at the Costco hearing center stated were Bluetooth compatible), I arrived home and proceeded to try pairing them with my iPhone. After numerous failed attempts I started doing more research and found that there are actually four Brio 4 models and not all are Bluetooth compatible. Mine is the Brio 4 I 10. It is not Bluetooth compatible, cannot be controlled with the Phonak app, and has no other adjustable features other than a push-button volume adjustment. I was really looking forward to Bluetooth compatibility and believe I could probably return them for a different model. However, I’ve also noticed that the in-the-ear Bluetooth compatible model (Brio 4 B313 or B13) seems to be quite larger on the outer ear than the Brio 4 I 10, and I'm not sure I want to go with a larger model. Also, I am not interested in behind-the-ear models, so it’s yet to be decided. On the positive side, my new aids look sturdy and are functioning well.” - Anonymous Reviewer on Hearingtracker.com
This is my third set of hearing aids and they are the best of the three. I had the Costco Rexton, and before that, I had the Siemens 500. I rate these better than the Siemens and what I like most of all is the clarity. I also like the ability to switch settings without the use of a remote control. I have a woodshop where I run saws, lathes, and shop vacs and I am able to either mute my hearing aids or change the setting to extra noisy and still listen to my radio. I would recommend the Brio 4 to anyone that is hard of hearing.” - Anonymous Reviewer on Hearingtracker.com
Who is the Phonak Brio 4 best for? The Phonak Brio 4 is great for individuals who want the most advanced technology that Costco offers—and who don’t mind paying $2,500 a pair for a set of hearing aids. The remote adjustment features are also an excellent perk for individuals who would like to get their hearing aid settings adjusted without leaving their homes. However, keep in mind that some reviewers say that their Brio 4’s did not come with Bluetooth connectivity, so make sure you fully understand the features you’re buying into. The biggest downside that relates to this hearing aid is its high price tag. It’s over $2,000 more expensive than MDHearing’s entry-level model.
Due to the mix of good and bad experiences from Phonak Brio 4 customers, make sure that you fully understand any limitations that may apply to Costco’s refund policy and trial period before purchasing these hearing aids.
GN ReSound Preza
Image Source: hearingaidknow.com
*As of June 2021, GN ReSound announced that it will replace all of its GN ReSound-branded hearing aids with its new Jabra-branded line. At the time of this writing, you may still find GN ReSound products at Costco; however, the Jabra-branded products should also be available as of June 7, 2021.
ReSound is a hearing aid manufacturer with a history stretching back to 1943 when the brand was founded by a Stanford University Doctor. Now known as GN ReSound, the company is owned by the GN Store Nord company in Denmark and has a long-standing reputation for quality. Costco offers several GN ReSound hearing aid products. One of the most popular is the GN ReSound Preza rechargeable Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aid.
Costco’s ReSound Preza hearing aid is based on similar technology that you would find in GN ReSound’s LiNX Quattro 9 (we covered the LiNX Quattro in this MDHearing article). When customers purchase the Preza hearing aid at Costco, they receive two Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) model rechargeable hearing aids and a recharging case.
ReSound offers other Preza models, including Behind-the-Ear (BTE), In-the-Ear (ITE), and Invisible-In-the-Ear (IITE) models—so you may want to ask Costco if other styles of Preza are available at your location.
Image Source: GN ReSound Preza User Manual
Priced at $1999.99 a pair (prices may vary), the ReSound Preza BTE rechargeable that Costco sells comes with the following features:
- Rechargeable batteries and a portable recharging case that offers up to 30 hours of battery life per charge
- Bluetooth connectivity options for voice, sound, and music streaming from iPhone, Android, and other Bluetooth-enabled device
- ReSound Smart 3D app for volume, settings, and program adjustments from your smartphone.
- Rechargeable batteries that offer up to 30 hours of battery life
- Compatibility with a variety of external devices such as a TV connector, clippable microphones, and remote controls
- Advanced background noise-canceling technology
- Technology for improving the sound and clarity of voices during conversations
- Automatic adjustments based on changing sound conditions as you move about your day
Here’s what one GN ReSound Preza user says about the product:
I just picked up the Resound Preza 862 DRW RIC at $1,349 each this past Friday to replace my old KS6’s that were dying … My wife is impressed by them! I can hear her low volume voice, high pitched though, like never before. We can actually carry a conversation, which she was quite frustrated with before. The iPhone app is great. Besides the programs, you can open a dropdown window for each and create custom programs adjusting the volume, the amount of noise reduction, speech focus, and wind noise reduction and save it with your own description. I set one up with ease for watching TV with the settings that I like. I have to read the manual though to really learn how to use it best … Bearing with them is easy, they work great so far … So far, the only problem with Resound is their full molds. I specified soft and they made the hard ones which I can’t use. They were sent back. Hopefully, they’ll do them right this time. Using my very old, dried-out, cracked ones in the meantime. I can’t handle the stone-on-bone feeling of the hard molds when I so much as open my mouth to talk, let alone chew on food. I don’t see how anyone can put up with that.” - Nelik on Hearingtracker.com
Who is the GN ReSound Preza best for? Like the other hearing aids at Costco, the GN ReSound Preza is a significant investment of at least $1,999.99 a pair. If you’re comfortable with the price range, this hearing aid is excellent for those who would like the advantage of a rechargeable hearing aid and a robust and durable device.
While this unit is a quality hearing aid—and it’s less expensive than most of the hearing aids you’ll find at a traditional hearing clinic—the high-quality alternatives at MDHearing offer excellent hearing loss treatment at a dramatically more affordable price.
Due to the mix of good and bad experiences from GN ReSound Preza customers, make sure that you fully understand any limitations that may apply to Costco’s refund policy and trial period before purchasing these hearing aids.
Jabra Enhance Pro from GN ReSound
Image Source: Jabra.com
In June 2021, GN ReSound and Costco announced that they were partnering to sell GN ReSound manufactured Jabra hearing aids at Costco Hearing Aid Centers around the United States. While these hearing aids are not entirely different from other GN ReSound products, they do feature the “Jabra” brand name, which is well recognized by consumers for its consumer audio and earphone products.
Beginning on June 7, Costco customers will be able to purchase the Jabra Enhance Pro rechargeable hearing aid. According to Costco’s marketing literature: “It doesn’t get more personalized than Jabra Enhance Pro. This superior hearing solution features exceptional technology, so you can enjoy top sound quality in even the most challenging environments.”
Priced at $1799.99 a pair (prices may vary), the Jabra Enhance Pro is a rechargeable hearing aid that comes with the following features:
- Rechargeable batteries with a portable recharging case that provides as much as 30 hours of battery life per charge
- Bluetooth connectivity for streaming voice, sound, and music from smartphones including iPhones, Android devices, and other equipped devices
- The Enhance Pro app, which lets you communicate with a Costco hearing aid specialist who can remotely adjust and fine-tune your hearing aids without an office visit.
- Compatible with a range of external devices such as a TV connector, clippable microphones, and various styles of remote controls
- Advanced background noise-canceling technology
- Technology that improves the clarity of voices during conversations
- Automatic adjustments based on changing sound conditions as you move about your day
At this time, the Jabra Enhance Pro is too new to provide information about customer experiences, but as soon as we learn how customers are enjoying this product, we will update this piece to include them.
Who is the Jabra Enhance Pro best for? Like the other hearing aids at Costco, the Jabra Enhance Pro is a fairly expensive investment of $1,799.99 a pair. If this price is within your budget, the Jabra Enhance Pro seems like an interesting option for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss who would like the benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid—especially for those who would like a hearing aid with Bluetooth sound streaming capabilities.
Because the Jabra Enhance Pro is so new to the market, make sure that you fully understand any limitations that may apply to Costco’s refund policy and trial period before purchasing these hearing aids.
MDHearing: An Affordable, High-Quality Alternative to Costco Hearing Aids
MDHearing offers affordable, high-quality hearing aids for a fraction of the cost of Costco and traditional hearing clinics. Founded by a Chicago ear, nose, and throat doctor, MDHearing has the mission of making hearing care available to those who can’t—or don’t want to—pay thousands of dollars to treat their hearing loss.
All MDHearing hearing aids are FDA-registered devices. Customers can order their hearing aids via the internet or phone and receive them at their door a few days later. Furthermore, there’s no need to see an audiologist or doctor, and MDHearing offers a free online hearing test so you can evaluate your hearing from the privacy of your own home. Once received, our hearing aids are ready to use right out of the box, and they were designed by sound engineers and audiologists to fit 94% of individuals with hearing loss.
When questions arise—or if you have trouble using your hearing aids—MDHearing’s U.S.-based team of licensed hearing professionals is just a phone call or email away. Best of all, each hearing aid features a 45-day, risk-free trial period with a 100% money-back guarantee. If you decide you don’t want your hearing aids, send them back to us for a full refund.
How Is MDHearing Different from Costco?
We love that Costco is providing affordable, high-quality hearing aids to people who might not be able to afford the high cost of hearing aids at a traditional hearing clinic. In this respect, Costco has a similar mission to MDHearing: To provide quality hearing loss treatment at a lower price point. Nevertheless, MDHearing uses a dramatically different strategy than Costco to lower its prices—and this is how MDHearing can offer dramatically more affordable prices than Costco.
Costco drives down prices by making purchase deals with big hearing aid manufacturers. Costco has arranged for name-brand hearing aid companies to offer special, lower-cost products that they can sell at a discount. However, the fact that Costco deals with the big, name-brand companies means that Costco’s prices are still extremely high.
MDHearing takes a different route—by designing and manufacturing its own hearing aids, all the way down to designing its own custom chipsets. In this way, MDHearing has completely eliminated the unfair price markups of (1) the traditional hearing aid manufacturer and (2) the hearing clinic. This allows MDHearing to sell quality hearing aids to consumers for thousands of dollars less than Costco and traditional hearing clinics. Moreover, MDHearing allows patients to treat their hearing loss without visiting a hearing clinic—and this drives prices down even more.
MDHearing customer, Lamar M., says this about his experience with the brand:
I have had two different hearing brands for 7 or 8 years. Widex was the first and Costco second. Costco aids were fine but cost twice as much or more. They are more finicky and fragile. I would not have found out about MDHearing, except I found an ad [that] prompted me to get online and check you guys out. The hearing test was impressive. I immediately ordered the VOLT+. Being an outdoorsman, I love the heavier construction and water resistance. I can hear birds and tree frogs at a distance. I can now hear my wife. In fact, I can set the volume on 1 to 1.5 and hear everything I want to hear. There is plenty of volume beyond that if I were tempted to have bionic ears, but moderation is a virtue. I would recommend these to anyone.”
Cost Comparison: MDHearing vs. Costco
You can purchase a set of hearing aids from MDHearing for as low as $299 a pair—and these hearing aids are designed to fit 94% of individuals with hearing loss. If you’d like a more advanced set of hearing aids with smartphone app connectivity, MDHearing's VOLT MAX model is available for just $699.98 pair. With MDHearing, you can treat your hearing loss while saving more than $1,000 off the cost of Costco’s hearing aids, and saving $4,000 (or more) off the cost of buying hearing aids through a hearing clinic.
How Does MDHearing Do It?
MDHearing’s team of experienced hearing aid engineers and doctors spent years researching ultra-expensive hearing aids and studying hearing tests. They discovered that most hearing loss cases follow a similar pattern. For this reason, MDHearing chose to focus on building a specialized line of hearing aid products—all the way down to designing their own unique processor chips—that can assist 94% of patients with hearing loss.
If you’re looking for a lot of fancy features and special options—and you don’t mind spending an extra $1,000—you might prefer the hearing aids you’ll find at Costco or a traditional hearing center. However, if you’re mainly concerned with being able to hear better and understand conversations with better clarity, MDHearing is an excellent option that won’t break your savings account.
Conclusion
Finding the right hearing aid can be challenging—especially when you’re on a tight budget. At the end of the day, the best hearing aids meet the fundamental needs of the wearer. In most cases, hearing loss patients don’t need the expensive bells and whistles to meet those needs. They just need a quality, functional hearing aid that effectively treats their hearing loss at an affordable price.
Costco offers a fine selection of hearing aids from well-known vendors at a price point that starts at $1,399 a pair—much less than the national average. These are good hearing aids that will certainly help the majority of individuals with hearing loss.
That being said, MDHearing also offers a variety of high-quality hearing aids—and MDHearing’s prices are a lot more affordable than Costco’s. With MDHearing, you can order a pair of doctor-designed, FDA-registered hearing aids for only $299 and have them delivered to your door in just a few days. Best of all, with MDHearing’s 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee, you’re not risking anything by simply giving MDHearing a try.
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