https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2021/the-hearing-aid-revolution-cheaper-and-easier-to-get

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/19/1047303559/fda-hearing-aid-prescription-over-the-counter

https://khn.org/news/article/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-apple-bose-fda-rule-delayed/

My husband had the pricey ones recommended/sold by an audiologist for awhile. He’s happier with the new rechargable ones from Costco that he now has. I think they were a little over $ 1,000.00 Works fine with his iPhone.

If you get them there (Costco) and you find they are not right for you you can return them for full refund.

While the "FDA is finally enacting legislation that got passed four years ago," (Sushi's first link) I cannot imagine the problems with buying hearing aids OTC/without proper fitting. I don't persoally have experience with them, but DH does.

Also from the first article "You theoretically had to see a physician first and then go to an audiologist." This was not the case with DH, but then insurance did not cover.

DH went to one of our tenants, and has Miracle Ear brand. He did not get top of the line, and they were expensive, but they are small (don't even notice when he is wearing them), pair with his iPhone and also the TV. They are easy to use.

I thank you all for sharing your experiences with other providers. I’m pretty much committed to buying from my ENT’s office for myriad reasons.

For those of you with experience wearing hearing aids, I need to know what features you like best and which you like least.

After my 2nd child, I began to have hearing loss. I was 33. It continued to get worse, and I had more loss on my right side than my left. So I would always turn my head towards whoever was talking so I could hear them better. Even DH picked up on this, and he would always sit on my left side. When I was 48, I had health insurance that covered hearing aids, so I decided to get my hearing tested. I was shocked at how much my hearing had deteriorated.

I'm now on my 2nd pair of hearing aids. 1st pair I got over 12 years ago, they were Oticons. They were around $5000. They didn't have any bells or whistles, just plain. They worked -- okay. I had to have some parts replaced through those years, never more than $250 for repairs. The costs to replace had gone up considerably (and insurance didn't cover them anymore) so I just kept maintaining them. I went through an ENT and then audiologist when purchasing.

6 months ago, after much researching, I decided to take the plunge and check out Costco. An licensed audiologist checked my hearing, and before she'd sell me anything, she made me go to an ENT and get checked out. There I had another audiologist check my hearing, the ENT MD went over everything -- both reports (from Costco & his office) and they were exactly alike. My insurance wouldn't pay anything for the h-aids, but did the office visit. I asked him about the hearing aids from Costco and he said they were great quality, and that his office could not even come close to matching their prices.

I then took that report back to Costco, and the audiologist worked with me to find the best that fit me. The brand I now have is Phillips -- which is manufactured by Oticon. (Oticon is one of the top manufacturers of hearing aids.)

The h.aids cost about $2100. If I'd not gone w/the "generic" version, it would have been around $8000.

They are rechargeable, which I really like! I can control the volume w/my phone, phone conversations feed through my ears, same with the music on my phone. I do not have the TV connection, although I think I could get it. They are so comfortable. My previous pair, I couldn't wait to take them off when I got home. Not from the sound, just the feeling of wearing them.

So far, I've not had any problems. I have, (I think a year?) or so to take them back if I don't like them. They are warrantied for 4 years. They provide the domes & filters for free for life.

These are very comfortable. I don't rush to take them off when I get home from work. In fact, I probably wear them more than I didn't the 1st pair.

If I can answer any questions, just let me know!!

Came back to add w/the app, I also have these features:

Find my hearing aids

Battery Status -- I put them in at 7:30 am this morning, it's 2:00 pm, and I still have 78%.

I love not having to mess with tiny little batteries!

Microphone (this turns my phone into a microphone.) I've not had to use it, but if I were in a meeting in large room, I could put my phone closer to the speaker and it would play it through the H.aids.

And both of these, -- although I've not used either of them yet.

IFTTT

Hearing loop

And probably some things I don't even know about. LOL!!

This info is timely & helpful for my DH & me!

This is somewhat informative about hearing aids.

It was on CBS Sunday morning about 2 years ago.

You ain't heard nothing yet

I'm on my second set of Phonac aids. The first set was around 6K and the second my audiologist matched Cosco's price at the time. I have the gizmo that feeds the tv through my aids. At my last appt. with my audiologist she said Phonac is no longer making the gizmo, but the tv and phone comes directly through the newer rechargable aids.

I'm in the camp of only going to an audiologist. I have a small ear canal, so mine did a molded piece that was custom made to fit my ear canal, so the aid and sound is aimed directly to the middle of the canal-can't bounce off the sides. I know many go to Costco, but I have used the audiologist too much to trust that Costco would be there for me. I think your audiologist makes a great deal of difference in setting/adjustments and when problems arise. If something goes wrong and mine need to be sent back for repair (such as when I got in the shower with them on) they have given me a loaner pair. Just my experience.

My girlfriend has worn hearing aids for many years and had her replaced this year when she lost one due to Covid. She was taking her mask off and didn't realize that one of her hearing aids went flying.

She bought hers through Costco and said they were very helpful. She'd recommend them.

DH just got the new rechargeable ones yesterday from Costco. He had been wearing basic ones from there, but the problem was that he didn't wear them when he was going walking because if he sweat, the batteries would short out. And, a bunch of other excuses. He had them for about 5 years but the problem was more that they don't work so well when you leave them on the counter and don't place them in your ears.

Anyway, he decided to try the rechargeable ones at Costco. They let him try out a few different ones and pairing with his phone was very important to him. He keeps saying what an improvement they are. He just commented that even listening to music on them ( when he's walking for example) he thinks he's hearing their voices better and the music sounds better.

They are Kirkland brand, but Phonac. I think they were $1400. He is thrilled, and I am thrilled because he is wearing them from morning to night.

I wear hearing aides as well i have over the ear sigmas. i go to an audiologist at at large rehap hospital i have seen hearing aides being advertised as specials deals and give aways at other places There always seemed to be gimick. My audiologist will make adjustments and retest as needed. She told my husband who was tested recently that if he was a veteran he could get top of the lines aides from the veterans health services for free. i have heard alot of positive comments about Costco but the closest one is about 2 hours away