How to Get Hearing Aids at Costco: What to Expect

Getting hearing aids at Costco starts with booking an appointment at one of their in-store Hearing Aid Centers, where you’ll get a free hearing test, try devices, and walk out with a fitted pair for roughly $1,600 to $1,700. The process is straightforward, but there are a few details worth knowing before you go.

What You Need Before Your Visit

You need an active Costco membership to purchase hearing aids. A basic Gold Star membership works. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up at the store the same day, though it’s worth factoring that annual fee into your total cost.

To schedule your appointment, call your local Costco Hearing Aid Center directly or book online through the Costco website. Not every Costco location has a hearing center, so check first. Appointments fill up, especially at busy locations, so booking a week or two ahead is common.

The Hearing Test

Your first appointment is a hearing evaluation performed by a licensed hearing instrument specialist or audiologist on staff. The test is free and takes about 30 to 60 minutes. You’ll sit in a sound booth, listen to tones at different pitches and volumes, and may be asked to repeat words or sentences. The specialist uses the results to create an audiogram, a chart showing which frequencies you hear well and which ones you struggle with.

If the test shows hearing loss that would benefit from amplification, the specialist will walk you through your options right there. If your hearing is within normal range, they’ll tell you that too. There’s no obligation to buy anything.

Choosing a Device

Costco carries several name-brand hearing aids repackaged or sold under slightly different model names than what you’d find at a private audiology clinic. The current lineup includes:

  • Jabra Enhance Pro 30 MicroRIE 60s: $1,700 per pair
  • Rexton Reach Inox: $1,600 per pair
  • Philips HearLink 9050: $1,600 per pair
  • Sennheiser Sonite R: $1,600 per pair

These prices include the devices themselves, the fitting appointment, and follow-up adjustments. The Jabra model is generally considered the top performer overall, while the Sennheiser is popular for its Bluetooth streaming capabilities. All four are rechargeable or have rechargeable options, and all sit in that $1,600 to $1,700 range, which is significantly cheaper than the $4,000 to $6,000 you might pay at a private clinic for comparable technology.

If you’ve heard of Costco’s Kirkland Signature hearing aids, those are no longer available. Costco discontinued the Kirkland Signature KS10 in late 2022 after a falling out with the manufacturer, Sonova. The brand-name options above replaced that line.

Fitting and Follow-Up

Once you choose a model, the specialist programs the devices to match your audiogram. They’ll fit the hearing aids in your ears, adjust the physical fit with different dome sizes or ear tips, and fine-tune the sound settings. This initial fitting usually happens at the same appointment or within a few days if the devices need to be ordered.

The first few weeks with hearing aids involve an adjustment period. Sounds you haven’t heard clearly in years, like rustling paper or background conversation, can feel overwhelming at first. Costco includes follow-up visits where the specialist can tweak your programming based on how things sound in your daily life. These adjustments, along with routine cleanings and replacement supplies like domes and wax guards, are included with your purchase at no extra charge.

What’s Included in the Price

Costco bundles quite a bit into the purchase price. You get the hearing test, the fitting, follow-up adjustment appointments, cleanings, and a 3-year warranty that covers loss and damage on most models. That loss and damage protection is a standout feature. Many private clinics charge extra for it, and losing a tiny device that sits behind your ear is more common than people expect.

There’s also a generous return window. Costco’s standard return policy applies to hearing aids, giving you a trial period to make sure the devices work for your lifestyle before you commit.

Paying for Costco Hearing Aids

Costco does not accept insurance directly for hearing aids. You pay the full price out of pocket at the time of purchase. If your insurance plan covers hearing aids, you can still buy from Costco and submit the invoice to your insurer afterward for reimbursement. How much you get back depends entirely on your plan’s out-of-network benefits.

Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids at all, though some Medicare Advantage plans do include a hearing aid benefit. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with hearing coverage, check whether it offers a set reimbursement amount you could apply toward the Costco purchase. Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can also be used to pay for hearing aids, which effectively gives you a tax break on the purchase.

At $1,600 to $1,700 per pair, Costco’s pricing is already among the lowest for prescription-grade hearing aids with professional fitting. Even without any insurance reimbursement, most buyers find the total cost roughly 50% to 70% less than what they’d pay at a traditional audiology practice for equivalent technology.

What to Expect Overall

From your first call to walking out with fitted hearing aids, the process typically takes one to three visits spread over a couple of weeks. The first visit covers the hearing test and device selection. The second visit, if needed, is the fitting once your devices arrive. After that, you’ll likely return once or twice in the first month for fine-tuning as you adjust to wearing them daily.

The main trade-off compared to a private audiologist is the level of personalized attention. Costco’s hearing specialists are qualified, but they work in a retail environment and may have less time per appointment than a dedicated audiology clinic. If you have complex hearing loss, unusual ear anatomy, or need specialized rehabilitation, a private audiologist may be a better fit. For straightforward mild-to-moderate hearing loss, which covers the majority of people shopping for their first hearing aids, Costco delivers strong value.