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Keep your ears open
Costco’s Hearing Aid Centers want to help people stay connected easily and affordably
by laura bode
According to an article issued by the U.S. Census Bureau last spring, 11.5 million Americans, or 3.5% of the entire population, have some sort of hearing impairment, ranging from difficulty having conversations in noisy environments to total hearing loss.
So, it comes as no surprise that the huge impact Costco’s Hearing Aid Center has already had on millions of Costco members and their families over the past 30 years will only continue to grow.
“Our ability to hear connects us to family, friends and community,” says Soris Parajon-Pena, Costco hearing aid buyer. “Our goal is to find the most leading-edge technology at affordable prices to help our members enjoy the best communication possible for their day-to-day activities.”
Decades of experience
Since its inception in 1989, Costco’s Hearing Aid Centers are now in more than 754 Costco warehouses in 13 countries around the world.
“Our licensed staff works to determine if a member can be helped by the use of hearing aids, through free on-site hearing tests,” explains Parajon-Pena, who has two decades of experience in the industry. “Our dispensing team discusses any hearing loss with the member and finds out what their individual lifestyle requirements are so that a ‘best features on the right product’ match can be made with the member’s needs in mind.”
Costco is the largest hearing aid retailer in North America, according to Paul DiCola, assistant general merchandise manager for all Costco hearing aid centers; he adds that, as the result of exceptional customer service, pricing and hearing aid device features, “Costco has recently been noted as the best hearing aid retailer.”
Focused on quality, pricing, support
“The hearing aids we offer are manufactured by the top global manufacturers,” says DiCola, “and Costco has worked very hard to reduce prices by working with our suppliers. This ensures members have the most technologically advanced features and options available, coupled with Costco’s focus on value and product support, and we also include a 3-year warranty at no additional cost.
“Our hearing aids provide members with all the benefits necessary to fit mild to severe hearing loss, helping members save up to 70% over our competition.”
Support from start to finish
A successful fitting begins with an initial consultation. Costco offers members a free hearing assessment to determine if they can be helped by a hearing aid. The assessment includes six pure-tone and speech tests. If you need hearing aids, your dispenser (who doesn’t work on commission) will help you select the right product for your situation. Then, when your hearing aids arrive, he or she will conduct real ear measurement testing and adjust the programming as needed. “It’s not enough for us to just go with what the manufacturer says someone should do best with, because everyone’s ear canals are different shapes and react differently,” says Parajon-Pena (see “Hearing aid help”).
Costco offers free follow-up appointments, free cleanings and checkups, free warranty periods, and free loss and damage coverage with no deductible. “Our goal is to reduce all barriers that make a hearing solution challenging, and allow members to shop with confidence,” says DiCola.
To find out more about Costco Hearing Aid Centers, click here “hearing aid”.
Hearing aid help
Where allowed by law, most hearing aids purchased within the last three years can now be adjusted from home through a video call. Schedule your appointment as you normally would, but instead of going to the Hearing Aid Center, access your video call from your smart device at the time of your appointment. Your dispenser will talk with you and, if needed, make adjustments to your hearing aids over the call.—LB
Hearing and Health
Untreated hearing loss can lead to other problems, including dementia. Research has shown that persons with moderate hearing loss face triple the risk of developing dementia. With severe hearing loss, the risk is even higher.
Letting hearing loss go untreated can also reduce the effectiveness of the hearing aids you eventually get. When the nerves that process sound are idle, they can atrophy, making it harder for the brain to interpret the sounds it’s receiving, a condition known as auditory deprivation.
Regular hearing tests can catch problems early on. If you’re over 60, work in a noisy environment or have frequent exposure to loud noises, experts recommend that you have your hearing checked annually.—LB
Laura Bode fills this month’s consumer reporter slot with this behind-the-scenes look at a Costco program. Email questions about this article to connection@costco.com.
