🔎 Research notes:
Costco currently offers three brands (Jabra, Philips and Rexton)
You can also get Jabra hearing aids through Telehealth here.
In 2020 I went to Costco for a long overdue hearing test. I had put off my hearing loss since childhood, and with people wearing masks all around me, I had no choice but to leap.
Now, more than two years later, I'm going back to Costco and taking Soundly's readers with me.
In this guide, I'll talk you through everything you need to know about Costco's hearing aid offering, their free hearing test, and each product they offer.
I'll share as many pictures as possible so you can live the experience with me.
Hop in! We're headed to Costco.
Prefer to watch?
Click below for my full video review of the Costco hearing experience.
Costco Hearing Aid Fast Facts
- Costco hearing tests are free to members
- Costco sells 14% of the hearing aids in the U.S.
- Costco hearing care professionals do not make a commission
- Costco currently offers three brands of hearing aids that closely mirror private practice but under different names (more on that below)
- Costco hearing aids start at $1,799 a pair for behind-the-ear style hearing aids and go up to $2,700 a pair for custom mold hearing aids
- Costco offers a two-year one loss or damage replacement for free
- All Costco hearing aids come with unlimited free follow-up appointments remotely or in store
- Clean your hearing aids any time at Costco for free while you shop
- You will need a membership to access Costco’s hearing aids, and Costco does not sell its hearing aids online at this time, so you’ll need to go into a store
Costco hearing aids have lots of perks. But are there any downsides?
The retailer uses top-of-the-line technology and their products are practically identical to premium offerings available via private practice audiologists. So what's the catch?
Here are some cons to keep in mind:
- Costco relies mainly on hearing aid dispensers rather than audiologists. While many of their professionals are excellent (including the one I saw), there may be some variability among the hundreds of dispensers nationwide.
- Costco does not sell online. If you're not near a Costco, you're out of luck—they don't sell online. And if you live in a rural area, expect to make multiple trips for fittings and cleanings.
- Costco specializes in behind-the-ear hearing aids and has a limited selection of custom mold or in-the-ear options. For those seeking an invisible option, local providers offering Eargo or Starkey may be more suitable.
Now that you have a sense for Costco's offering, let's take a closer look at the process.
Step 1: Make an appointment at Costco.
Here's what you need to know to get a hearing appointment at Costco.
- Search for a local Costco store here.
- Sign up for a Costco Membership ($60 basic package here or $120 executive package here)
- Call the store and ask for the hearing center. A Costco hearing center representative will help you schedule an appointment (I had to wait around a week for an open slot).
- Fill out your intake form ahead of time by printing this out or show up 10 minutes early and fill out the form in person.
- Ok, you're ready to go!
Do I need an appointment for my Costco hearing test?
While you can technically walk-in for an appointment in some locations, it is probably best to schedule time via a phone call ahead of time because some Costco hearing centers are booked for days or weeks in advance.
Step 2: Take the Costco hearing test.
I jumped in the car on test day and headed to my local Costco. Stacks of bulk deodorant, t-shirts and peanut butter as far as the eye can see.
A representative at the front door checked my membership and pointed me in the direction of the hearing center. I checked in 10 minutes before my appointment and filled in my intake form live (remember, you can do this ahead of time here if you'd prefer).
A licensed hearing professional came to get me in the waiting room and took me to the Costco hearing test booth. He placed two foam wires in my ears.
I clicked the button each time a beep became audible. This first part of the test established my audiogram and hearing aid programming targets. Try the Soundly online hearing test for a quick example of how this works.
The hearing professional tested my speech comprehension by speaking various words into a microphone and asking me to repeat them. He then took out the earbuds and placed a bone conduction headphone on my head to test my bone conduction hearing.
The Costco professional tested my hearing in each ear with static in the other ear to test the interaction between both sides and finished by playing louder beeps to test my responsiveness to loud noise.
The process took about 10 minutes, and we reviewed the results together. My care provider explained why certain sounds are more challenging for my hearing loss and compared my test results to the Costco test I took two years ago. Happily, my hearing is holding steady.
How long does a Costco hearing test last?
My test took about 10 minutes. At the end of the process the hearing professional walked me through my results.
Step 3: Choose a Costco hearing aid.
With the test out of the way, it was time to discuss treatment options. Costco currently offers three brands. I'll break each one down in some detail below. Regardless of product, all Costco hearing aids come with the same benefits:
- Free follow-up appointments for life a
- One $0 free replacement for loss or damage (lasts two years and covers everything from dog chews to water damage)
- Remote program adjustments (available for most models)
- Free cleanings while you shop
Rexton BiCore - $1,799
Smallest Design, Longest Battery Life
What Stands Out
If you're looking for Costco's most modern design, slow your scroll because that's Rexton Bi-Core. Costco's most popular Rexton product will set you back $1,799 for a pair but comes with an included portable recharge case for on-the-go charging. Bi-Core is the smallest device that Costco currently offers and has a nearly 40-hour battery life with one charge. Rexton Bi-Core C R-Li is nearly identical to its sister product, Signia Pure Charge&Go AX.
Rexton Style and Accessories
Costco has various Rexton products in different styles. The popular Bi-Core C R-Li is the top choice, inspired by Signia Pure Charge&Go. Others may prefer the trendy M-Core SR (based on Signia Styletto) or the discreet ready-to-wear hearing aid (based on Signia Silk). For custom-mold options, Costco has a smaller selection of devices modeled after the Signia Insio.
As for accessories, Costco sells two items alongside their Rexton products.
- Smart Transmitter 2.4 ($159) - Streams TV wirelessly into your hearing aids
- Rexton Smart Key ($89.99) - A remote control you carry in your pocket for quick volume and program updates (you can make these same updates using the app or buttons on most models of the hearing aid)
Rexton BiCore Tech checklist
✅ Bluetooth streaming on Android and Apple devices
✅ Rechargeable batteries in behind-the-ear models
✅ Optional 312 battery-powered version for those who prefer a non-rechargeable battery
✅ Automatic program adjustment that senses your movement and environment
✅ Remote program adjustments are available after the first two appointments
✅ Optional telecoil to pick up landline calls and directly to audio in public spaces like many concerts and church services
Jabra Enhance Pro 10 - $1,799
Innovative Engineering
What Stands Out
Jabra Enhance Pro 10 hearing aids start at $1,799 for a pair at Costco and feature a third ear microphone for better sound quality. They're made by GN Hearing, the same company behind ReSound hearing aids, and are nearly identical to the ReSound OMNIA 9 device.
Jabra Enhance Pro Styles and Accessories
Jabra Enhance Pro Styles and Accessories
Jabra Enhance Pro is only available as a behind-the-ear style product and is currently available in 8 colors. Costco offers a few notable accessory devices.
- TV Streamer 2 - Allows direct TV streaming into your hearing aids
- Multi Mic and Micro Mic - Allow you to place an external microphone near a partner or near a speaker in a meeting for directly streamed audio
- Two remote controls - Choose between two remote controls that allow easy volume and program adjustments (you can make these same updates using the app or buttons on most models of the hearing aid)
Jabra Enhance Pro Tech Checklist
✅ Bluetooth streaming on Android and Apple devices
✅ Rechargeable batteries with 30 hours of life per charge
✅ Optional 312 battery-powered version for those who prefer a non-rechargeable battery
✅ Automatic program adjustment that senses environment
✅ Remote program adjustments are available after the first two appointments
❌ No telecoil available
Philips HearLink - $1,799
AI Powered Background Noise Reduction
What Stands Out
You might see a pattern emerging here.
Large, well-established manufacturers rename a version of their popular products to sell at Costco for a deep discount. A little confusing, but the deal is nice.
Philips HearLink hearing aids are no exception. Philips HearLink sells for $1,799 per pair and borrows from the AI tech inside Oticon Real hearing aids to give wearers a natural sound with less background noise.
Philips HearLink Styles and Accessories
Costco offers both a rechargeable and non-rechargeable version of HearLink to accommodate various preferences. Additionally, they sell a variety of useful accessories to enhance the functionality of HearLink.
- Philips TV Adaptor - Stream TV audio directly into your hearing aids
- Philips AudioClip - Use your AudioClip to make hands-free phone calls via Android phones (not necessary for iPhones)
- Philips Remote Control - Change the volume and program of your hearing aids without an app or the buttons on your device
Philips HearLink Tech Checklist
✅ Bluetooth streaming on Android and Apple devices
✅ Rechargeable batteries with 30+ hours of life per charge
✅ Optional 312 battery-powered version for those who prefer a non-rechargeable battery
✅ AI-powered sound algorithms that sort out background noise
✅ Remote program adjustments are available after the first two appointments
❌ No telecoil available
Which Costco Hearing Aid is Best?
The answer depends a bit on your personal sound preference and hearing aid experience. It's often easiest to stick with the same brand or manufacturer to prevent a re-adjustment period to a different sound.
That said, we think Jabra Enhance Pro 10 is the best option for first-time shoppers. We like the innovative 3rd microphone and Jabra's capacity to manage background noice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hearing aids are often not covered by insurance plans. If your policy does include benefits for hearing aids, note that you cannot use them directly at Costco. However, you may be able to submit expenses for reimbursement afterwards. Read on for more helpful information.
How long do Costco Hearing aids last?
Costco hearing aids typically last 3-7 years. You can read more about average hearing aid lifespans here.
Costco offers a two-year loss or damage warranty which includes the replacement of one hearing aid in the first year after purchase.
Does Costco accept insurance?
No, Costco does not accept insurance for hearing aids at this time. If your insurance plan covers hearing aids, you can purchase them at Costco and seek reimbursement from your insurance company by submitting an invoice after payment.
Note: Hearing aids are typically not covered by health insurance plans, including Original Medicare. To avoid surprises, it's best to verify what your specific insurance plan covers.
Does Costco accept TruHearing benefits?
Currently, Costco is not a TruHearing provider. Get the intel on TruHearing benefits and process here.
Can you use your FSA and HSA for Costco hearing aids?
Yes, you can! You can utilize your HSA or FSA funds to purchase hearing aids at Costco since they are an eligible expense. Learn more about purchasing hearing aids through HSA and FSA here.
What happened to Kirkland 10.0 hearing aids?
If you've purchased hearing aids at Costco in the past, you might remember Costco's white-labeled product called Kirkland 10.0.
That hearing aid was made by a hearing aid manufacturer named Sonova (also the maker of Phonak hearing aids). The partnership between Sonova and Costco ended in 2022 and effectively discontinued the Costco Kirkland Signature hearing aid (at least for now). We'll keep this guide updated as things change.
What about in-the-ear and custom styles at Costco?
I've focused on receiver hearing aids in this guide because about 90% of Costco shoppers choose that style. Costco does offer a full range of hearing aid styles including custom-molded devices and high-powered devices for severe hearing loss. Learn more about the full family of products at the links below.
Jabra - Rexton - Philips
Final Thoughts
What you gain in price, you'll have to give up in staff training and brand availability. Still, many Americans feel that the tradeoff is well worth it.
We hope you've found this guide helpful. If you have questions or comments, feel free to reach out to [email protected].