One in three people between ages 65 and 74 have hearing loss in the U.S. And, for those over 75, the odds double to fifty percent of people who have trouble hearing.
That leaves a lot of people in the U.S. with a need for hearing aids. Unfortunately, hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars and not all insurances cover them, but Costco’s hearing aids are a relatively inexpensive option.
How Much is Costco Hearing Aids?
Costco’s Kirkland Signature 10.0 hearing aids cost $1,399.99 a pair. It comes with 2 T-coil premium digital rechargeable hearing instruments, a cleaning cloth and brush, a travel pouch, and 1 charger case.
Related: Sam’s Club Hearing Aid Prices
Who is this for: Costco hearing aids are best for those with mild to moderate hearing loss and those with severe hearing loss may need customization and the assistance of an audiologist.
Color Options:
- Bronze
- Stone
- Beige
- Silver
- Black
Membership: Health services must be open to the public by law so you don’t need a Costco membership to get an eye exam or hearing test, but membership is required if you want to buy any product such as glasses or hearing aids.
Free Service: Costco offers several free services with no purchase necessary. Some of the free services include:
- product demonstrations
- hearing aid check & cleanings
- hearing tests
To get a free hearing test at Costco, you just need to make an appointment and show up. You can also do an online hearing test, offered by Costco’s supplier Phonak and Philips in under 5 minutes.
Below are Costco’s hearing aid types based on level of hearing loss:
| Hearing Aid Type | Level of Hearing Loss |
| Open fit | Moderate |
| Behind the ear | Mild to profound |
| In the Ear | Mild to severe |
| Canal | Mild to moderate |
| Completely in Canal | Mild to moderate |
| Bluetooth enabled | Mild to severe |
Related: How to Shop at Costco without a Membership Card
Costco Hearing Aid Brands
According to Costco’s website, “there is no one best kind of hearing aid.” So, Costco has a variety of different brands and styles to choose from.
“Your hearing aid professional can explain the different types of hearing aids to you and will select the type of hearing aids most closely matched to your hearing loss, the anatomy of your ear and your lifestyle”
Costco
Costco offers five different brands of hearing aids including:
| Brand | Starting Price | Costco Link |
| REXTON | 1799.99 | Link |
| Jabra | 1799.99 | Link |
| Kirkland | 1399.99 | Link |
| Phonak | Call | Link |
| Philips | 1799.99 | Link |
Costco’s signature Kirkland hearing aids are one of the biggest hearing aid brands in the USA today. The older models were made by Rexton and ReSound, but since then Costco’s KS 9.0 and their newest Kirkland Signature (ver. 10.0) are manufactured by Sonova.
Currently, Kirkland Signature hearing aids are considered top of the line because of their technology at a very low price compared to their competitors. Kirkland Signature hearing aids are progressively getting better on the quality and have been lowering $100 on the price of every version.
History of Kirkland Signature hearing aid versions:
| Version | Manufacturer | Price |
| Kirkland Signature 4.0 | Rexton | $1,999 |
| Kirkland Signature 5.0 | GN Resound | $1,899 |
| Kirkland Signature 6.0 | GN Resound | $1,799 |
| Kirkland Signature 7.0 | Rexton | $1,699 |
| Kirkland Signature 8.0 | Rexton | $1,599 |
| Kirkland Signature 9.0 | Sonoya | $1,499 |
| Kirkland Signature 10.0 | Sonoya | $1,399 |
Related: Which hearing aid does Sam’s Club sell?
Costco also has multiple different models of hearing aids to suit your preferences and hearing loss severity including:
- Open fit – worn behind the ear with a thin tube into the ear
- Behind the Ear (BTE) – worn behind the ear and attached to a custom-fitted mold
- Bluetooth behind the ear – worn behind the ear with a thin tube to the ear
- Canal – a custom mold to fit in the ear canal and some of the outer ear
- Completely in Canal (CIC) – a custom mold to fit almost completely in the ear canal
- In the Ear (ITE) – a custom mold to fit in the ear and typically fills up the outer ear
The table below shows the prices at each store and what’s included:
| Store | Types Offered | Hearing Support | Price Range |
| Costco | 5 popular brands | Mild to severe | $899 – $1,399 |
| Walmart | FDA-approved hearing aids | Mild to severe | $40 – $1,900 |
| Sam’s Club | Liberty Hearing Aid | Mild to severe | $350 – $6,000 |
Compared with Walmart
Walmart is a lot cheaper compared to Costco hearing aids, but some are simply ‘hearing amplifiers’, which is not the same thing as a hearing aid. Generally, Walmart’s products under $150 are hearing amplifiers. Quality hearing aids will cost around $500 at Walmart, but their hearing aids for more severe hearing loss with features like Bluetooth and app compatibility cost $1,000 or more.
Tip: Walmart does not offer free hearing tests like Costco.
Compared with Sam’s Club
Compared to Costco, Sam’s Club has less selection for hearing aids. However, Sam’s Club does offer free hearing tests as well as repair services. Their prices start at $350, but most of Sam’s Club’s options are over $1,000.
Sam’s Club also offers many innovative features for their hearing aids, like Bluetooth, which cost more. Additionally, Sam’s Club hearing aids may not qualify for a return, while Costco has a 180-day money-back policy.
If You Have Insurance
Costco hearing aids with insurance can still cost you a few hundred dollars or even $1,000. Most insurance does not cover or only covers partially the cost of hearing aids. Your hearing aid coverage from insurance may be dependent on a medical diagnosis. However, in some states, the state government mandates coverage of hearing aids for children who need them.
Medicare may cover some of the cost of hearing aids if you have the Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan. However, Medicare will pay for hearing tests to diagnose a medical condition.
Additionally, in some cases hearing aids are an eligible purchase for FSA or HSA accounts, but you will need to contact your provider. So, you should contact your insurance to find out what amount of coverage you qualify for.
If You Don’t Have Insurance
Without insurance, you will need to pay full price for hearing aids at Costco. Costco hearing aids range from $899 to $1,399, based on the style you want and the level of hearing loss you have. Costco’s premium digital hearing aid kit costs $1,399 but you can also get any style for under $1,000. You will also pay more for custom molds.
Costco does not offer a payment plan so payment will need to be paid in full at the time of purchase.
Additionally, there are very few sales or discounts on Costco hearing aids. However, they do have a 180-day return policy with satisfaction guaranteed as well as a warranty included.
What to Know Before Buying at Costco
Use Remote Service
Costco currently has remote services available to be sensitive to those at risk during the pandemic. You can use their remote support app to get adjustments to your device from home or the office. Contact your Costco Hearing Aid Center for details on how to set up a remote appointment.
Don’t Visit Costco to See an Audiologist
While Costco does have professional audiologists, not every Hearing Aid Center will have them on staff and the locations that do have one may not have them there every day. Therefore, you will most likely see a hearing aid specialist.
These specialists must have a state license and training, but they are not required to have a degree in a related field. So, Costco cannot diagnose you with a hearing disease or what is causing the hearing loss; they can only recommend if hearing aids will help you.
Costco Hearing Aids Will Last, but Batteries Won’t
Costco hearing aids have been reported to last from about five to eight years, which is a little longer than the average three to five years. However, the Costco Kirkland Signature brand hearing aid batteries only last about a week (depending on how long you use them every day).
So, when you pick up your hearing aids you might also want to pick up some batteries.
Look at Features and Accessories
Costco hearing aids also come with the latest technology and features. For instance, some hearing aids like Bluetooth TV connection that allows your hearing aids to double as headphones, noise reduction, and all of Costco’s hearing aids can connect to smartphone apps and accessories.
Tip: Costco also sells accessories for your hearing aids like transmitters and microphones.
Costco Hearing Aid Test is Free
Costco hearing tests are completely free for Costco members and are designed to determine if hearing aids could help you. A similar test elsewhere would cost around $250.
You do not have to make a purchase to qualify for a free hearing test and you are not obligated to purchase anything after the test. However, Costco’s hearing aid test can only advise if you could use hearing aids to improve hearing, not what is causing the hearing loss.
The hearing test at Costco takes about an hour and is done in a private sound booth. If your test results suggest that hearing aids can help you, then the non-commissioned staff at Costco will help you find the best style of hearing aid for you.
Costco includes several free services in their Hearing Aid Center including:
- Free hearing tests
- Free follow up appointments
- Free cleanings for hearing aids
- Free coverage of loss and damage (and no deductible)
- Free warranty
How to Make a Hearing Test Appointment
Costco hearing test is free, but make sure you have an up-to-date Costco Membership. A basic Costco membership costs $60 annually, or you can go with a family member or friend who has a Costco membership, to use the Hearing Aid Center. Here is step by step of how to get Costco hearing test done:
Step 1. Find a store
First, check to make sure that a Costco near you has a Hearing Aid Center. Find Costco hearing aid center locations near you on the Costco website by searching your location and filtering by ‘hearing aids’.
Step 2. Schedule an appointment
You can then schedule a hearing test appointment by calling your location and asking for the Hearing Aid Center. You can schedule an appointment in either English or Spanish.
Step 3. Fill out a Patient Form
If you are a new patient at the Costco Hearing Aid Center, you will need to fill out a Member Intake Form. If you are a returning customer going for a follow-up visit, you’ll need to fill out a Member Journal. The Member Journal also has instructions on adjusting and caring for your hearing aids, as well as tips for family and caregivers.
Step 4. Show up for a free hearing aid test
A Costco hearing aid specialist will aid you with a free hearing aid test and then make recommendations on a hearing aid that can work with your lifestyle. You don’t have to buy a hearing aid then, but if you do choose to buy a set from Costco it can take up to two weeks to get your hearing aids shipped.
