Us vs. Costco Hearing Aids
Why can’t I just buy hearing aids from Big Box Stores? The Pros and the Cons
Us Vs. Costco Hearing Aids
Buying hearing aids from the highest rated private practice (Raleigh’s Best, 2021-2024) instead of a big-box store offers several advantages to patients:
1. Personalized Care & Expertise
- Our audiologists provide customized hearing evaluations and solutions tailored to your specific needs. We take more time to complete additional testing such as speech-in-noise metrics. While most people with hearing loss report difficulty hearing in noise, unfortunately it is not considered a standard part of a hearing exam and is not completed at big-box stores.
- We take the time to understand your lifestyle, hearing challenges, and preferences. Each person’s individual listening needs vary greatly, and not all listening challenges can be resolved with just a hearing aid. Providing aural rehabilitation strategies, such as where to sit in a restaurant, additional tips for managing loud parties, or preventing feedback when playing a musical instrument, are a point of pride for our audiologists.
- Hearing aids need precise tuning based on your hearing test results. Our clinic uses real ear measurements (REM) to ensure the best possible fit and sound quality.
- Big-box stores often use generic programming that is not as effective because it does not take into account the individual size and shape of a person’s ear canal.
- Our practice stays up to date with all hearing aid manufacturers so that we can continue to service hearing aids far past their two or three year warranty expiration date.
- Unfortunately it is common for big-box stores to no longer service hearing aids after their initial warranty is over as their focus is on a new sale vs a repair which may best suit the patient at this time. Repairs on hearing aids three years and older is a very common and routine practice in audiology. Hearing aids should be a lasting investment beyond just two or three years.
- Our audiologists work with all seven major hearing aid manufacturers and offer a wider selection of advanced technology, tailored to each individual.
- Big-box stores often have limited brands or models, sometimes with older technology.
- You get to build a relationship with our amazing audiologists and support staff, who understand your needs long-term. When you call our clinic, our patient care coordinators are happy to help support your specific needs or appointment requests all in a timely manner!
- Big-box stores have high employee turnover, so you may see a different person each visit. Appointments typically book far out and can be hard to schedule and talk to a real person over the phone.
- Some big-box stores offer lower-cost, locked hearing aids, meaning the hearing aid cannot be programmed elsewhere if the provider is unsatisfactory or if the patient moves away, is on vacation and needs a repair, or is unhappy with the patient care.
- Our practice provides unlocked hearing aids that can be adjusted anywhere. If our patients are to move, we are happy to connect them with recommended audiologists in their new state or town.
- Our clinic accepts insurance and financing plans, making high-quality hearing aids more affordable.
- Big-box stores have fewer financing or insurance options.
- Our audiologists are educated and trained to detect and treat underlying hearing health issues beyond just selling hearing aids. We can refer you for medical treatment if needed.
- Big-box stores mainly focus on selling devices as they often hire hearing-instrument-specialists who do not have a clinical doctorate in hearing health sciences. Medical concerns like acoustic neuromas are more likely to be overlooked by someone with less education and training.
If cost is your primary concern and you’re looking for a basic hearing aid with minimal customization, a big-box store could be an option, but our entry-level hearing aids provide the same price point with more customized programming and exceptional patient care. For long-term success, personalized support, and higher-quality hearing solutions, Now Hear This is the better investment.
Still not sure about where to start? Call our clinic for a baseline hearing test and consultation to learn about your options and to educate yourself about hearing loss and hearing technology. HEARING HEALTH = BRAIN HEALTH! (919) 256-2898
We Have Hearing Aids to Meet All Your Needs
At Now Hear This®, we’re proud to offer world-class premium hearing aids that include state-of-the-art technology and will improve the everyday quality of life for hearing aid candidates. Today’s hearing aids are more inconspicuous than ever, and are also Bluetooth compatible, rechargeable, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles.
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Hearing Aids We Sell
