Hearing aids - Another Costco Purchase

[LuauLounge]

My wife has been more vocal about having to raise her voice trying to talk to me. So I started doing some online shopping and I knew Costco had their kiosk. They also have a DIY set for $999 for the pair, with a 30 day refund policy. I thought, hell, if they work, great, if they don’t, back they go.
Spent most of today adjusting and fiddling.
They are only compatible with iPhone.
These are behind the ear with a wire and silicone tip that fits in the ear canal. There are three sizes of tips and vented and closed. I haven’t tried the closed tips, yet, thinking that it would be more natural augmenting the sound. So far, I’m impressed.
Where I noticed the loss is in a loud environment and conversations. At home, TV on, dog with a squeaky toy and my wife talking to me was a big issue as well. In this environment, they are working well. Tons of adjustments to personalize front, 360, treble, bass, right left and 10 programmable environment situations. They give you a measuring guide for the length of the tube between the ear canal and the receiver unit, but don’t provide the tube. 3 minutes on hold and 2 on the phone and the proper ones will be here next week.

https://www.costco.com/lexie-b2-rec...-aids-powered-by-bose.product.4000189191.html

 

[Kachina26]

My wife has been more vocal about having to raise her voice trying to talk to me. So I started doing some online shopping and I knew Costco had their kiosk. They also have a DIY set for $999 for the pair, with a 30 day refund policy. I thought, hell, if they work, great, if they don’t, back they go.
Spent most of today adjusting and fiddling.
They are only compatible with iPhone.
These are behind the ear with a wire and silicone tip that fits in the ear canal. There are three sizes of tips and vented and closed. I haven’t tried the closed tips, yet, thinking that it would be more natural augmenting the sound. So far, I’m impressed.
Where I noticed the loss is in a loud environment and conversations. At home, TV on, dog with a squeaky toy and my wife talking to me was a big issue as well. In this environment, they are working well. Tons of adjustments to personalize front, 360, treble, bass, right left and 10 programmable environment situations. They give you a measuring guide for the length of the tube between the ear canal and the receiver unit, but don’t provide the tube. 3 minutes on hold and 2 on the phone and the proper ones will be here next week.

https://www.costco.com/lexie-b2-rec...-aids-powered-by-bose.product.4000189191.html

How bad is your hearing? I have trouble in loud rooms and crowds, but I always have.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

I'll jump in.... I'm 64 and am lucky to have excellent hearing thus far... however I have noticed I hate loud restaurants and I definitely have to read lips in those settings.... most of my over 50 Socal buddies are reading lips ... so I'm fortunate... the act of going out and getting hearing aids is a big deal for my friends.... I went to Costco years ago with a buddy due to his wife insisting he get aids... they owned a ticket agency in 90s-2000s so they did the front row concerts over the years and he definitely was reading lips all the time.... even while putting on a golf course but it was an ego thing and he finally did the Costco thing and they worked out really well for him after a couple revisits to adjust the things. My moms 95 and I just bought her a new tech set that she can recharge much like a cell phone... they're $8K and she loves em.... loss and lack of hearing is a BIG deal in ones social well being and I recommend if anyone is on the fence it means its time to get on this issue. Hell with the ego.... my mom says folks begin to withdraw from social conversations and friends don't always understand its only due to hearing loss... so I recommend we take action and get back in the conversations

 

[zhandfull]

Yeah, I can’t hear shit anywhere with background noise. Wife has started mentioning hearing aids. Probably should look into some as well.

As a side note. I have some noise canceling ear muff protection. I put those on in the house and crank up the volume and it feels like bionic hearing. Can hear conversations in other parts of the house.

The link says iOS call streaming. Would that mean it functions like a hands free device for taking phone calls to? Does it work as a mic as well for phone calls is what I’m asking.

 

[CarolynandBob]

Wife had the $2500 Bell tone ones and didn't like them. Got the $1500 ones from Costco and likes them a lot.

 

[Pattle]

I ordered a set from Costco as well. I pick them up in about 10 days. I sure hope they help. Too many times at work somebody talks to me, in a low confidential tone, so I can't hear a damn thing they're saying. So I nod when it seems appropriate and hope they just go away quickly, and then hope I didn't just commit to do something since I have no idea what they might have been saying.

 

[PDQH2O]

My wife never complained about anything until I got hearing aids.

 

[4Waters]

When you notice she is raising her voice say "Why are you yelling at me" the fuck off smirk that she gives you will bring a good laugh

 

[Mike Honcho]

For all those who are thinking about taking the plunge my dad wears the ones as the OP listed and I think his were 6K thru doctor. When in the hospital his wire broke from the two pieces, and he was without them I saw a great video on Tic Tok about how your apple earbuds can be used as hearing aids and I took them and set them up for him to use and he was amazed at how well they worked. Of course, I played around with them first getting them to work and its crazy, but they pick up every little sound.

Something to think about before spending that type of cash on hearing aids is try the earbuds out if you have an iphone. There are several tutorials on how to set them up online.

Good Luck

 

[Taboma]

When you notice she is raising her voice say "Why are you yelling at me" the fuck off smirk that she gives you will bring a good laugh

Uhhhhh, not my experience, as "Because you're fucking deaf" is her retort --- then, it is I that Smirks

 

[jet496]

My wife has been more vocal about having to raise her voice trying to talk to me. So I started doing some online shopping and I knew Costco had their kiosk. They also have a DIY set for $999 for the pair, with a 30 day refund policy. I thought, hell, if they work, great, if they don’t, back they go.
Spent most of today adjusting and fiddling.
They are only compatible with iPhone.
These are behind the ear with a wire and silicone tip that fits in the ear canal. There are three sizes of tips and vented and closed. I haven’t tried the closed tips, yet, thinking that it would be more natural augmenting the sound. So far, I’m impressed.
Where I noticed the loss is in a loud environment and conversations. At home, TV on, dog with a squeaky toy and my wife talking to me was a big issue as well. In this environment, they are working well. Tons of adjustments to personalize front, 360, treble, bass, right left and 10 programmable environment situations. They give you a measuring guide for the length of the tube between the ear canal and the receiver unit, but don’t provide the tube. 3 minutes on hold and 2 on the phone and the proper ones will be here next week.

https://www.costco.com/lexie-b2-rec...-aids-powered-by-bose.product.4000189191.html

Same hearing issues with me. I have severe tinnitus and pretty much been deaf in one ear since I was in the military 40 years ago. Wife finally said do something, but I have been trying all those years, they just kept saying we can't solve your problem due to explosions. But I saw some buddies of mine from the military a few years ago & they all finally got hearing aids & love them.

I tried the Costco ones last year but no matter what they did, just wouldn't work. They did try very hard though, they are not to blame.

I am now in the process of of seeing an audiologist so we'll see. It could just me not giving them a chance. I'm told to give them 6 months but I take them out after a few hours because of many different reasons.

 

[4Waters]

Same hearing issues with me. I have severe tinnitus and pretty much been deaf in one ear since I was in the military 40 years ago. Wife finally said do something, but I have been trying all those years, they just kept saying we can't solve your problem due to explosions. But I saw some buddies of mine from the military a few years ago & they all had hearing aids finally & loved them.

I tried the Costco ones but no matter what they did, just wouldn't work. They did try very hard though, they are not to blame.

I am now in process of of seeing audiologist so we'll see.

Go to the VA, they will give you hearing aids for the damage caused by the military, my dad has a pretty nice set of hearing aids from the VA. If you need help on how to do that PM me. You might even be able to get a monthly check due to the hearing loss, it won't be much but it could offset gas prices.

 

[TBulger]

On my second set from Costco. The first set was battery operated, second set is rechargeable, these are much better than the battery operated. They are Phillip’s and cost the usual 1500 bucks. The beautiful thing about the Costco ones is they are fully insured for damage or loss no questions asked. They also furnish the ear buds and filters for free and in my case at least, changed by me at least once each month. They also will retest and adjust as required . They seem to be the same one’s sold by an optometrist.

 

[Taboma]

Same hearing issues with me. I have severe tinnitus and pretty much been deaf in one ear since I was in the military 40 years ago. Wife finally said do something, but I have been trying all those years, they just kept saying we can't solve your problem due to explosions. But I saw some buddies of mine from the military a few years ago & they all finally got hearing aids & love them.

I tried the Costco ones last year but no matter what they did, just wouldn't work. They did try very hard though, they are not to blame.

I am now in the process of of seeing an audiologist so we'll see. It could just me not giving them a chance. I'm told to give them 6 months but I take them out after a few hours because of many different reasons.

"I'm told to give them 6 months but I take them out after a few hours because of many different reasons."
This is exactly why I haven't made the plunge. There's no way my track record supports my abilities to tolerate extended adjustment periods if my option is to simply remove it and continue on as I always have.

 

[Taboma]

On my second set from Costco. The first set was battery operated, second set is rechargeable, these are much better than the battery operated. They are Phillip’s and cost the usual 1500 bucks. The beautiful thing about the Costco ones is they are fully insured for damage or loss no questions asked. They also furnish the ear buds and filters for free and in my case at least, changed by me at least once each month. They also will retest and adjust as required . They seem to be the same one’s sold by an optometrist.

How long did it take for you to adjust to the initial set ? Everything I read mentions some protracted adjustment period which concerns me.

 

[That Guy]

What?

 

[HNL2LHC]

What?

Right there with you…..I am holding off as long as I am able. If I can hear the wife my honey do list will grow exponentially……

 

[AZLineman]

Huh?

 

[Taboma]

Right there with you…..I am holding off as long as I am able. If I can hear the wife my honey do list will grow exponentially……

My really cheap solution was simply turning on the closed caption feature on the TV
Not only can I more easily understand the often missing or overwhelmed dialog, but my speed reading has improved 75%
I just need to remember that unlike me, my wife has bat-like hearing so any derogatory muttering on my part is best stifled.

Like many here, it's not so much that I can't hear, I just can't hear over the constant philharmonic orchestra of the Tinnitus that's been playing in my head for well over 60 years.

 

[LuauLounge]

How bad is your hearing? I have trouble in loud rooms and crowds, but I always have.

I’m 73 and I’ve noticed a steady decline. So far, I’m impressed, after wearing them for a day, I don’t know they are there. Took them out last night and my wife was talking and I was huh?, what?.
Right now, I’m looking at them like reading glasses. Buy the 3 pair pack every year or so.
Although you can stream phone calls, that’s not a feature I currently want or need.
I bought aids to assist in my hearing loss. I normally use speaker phones unless it’s a confidential call.
Obviously, I’m not alone In this. I also don’t care if people can see them. My wife was sitting 2 feet away and asked when I was going to start wearing them. I was. Also, like anything there are pluses and minuses with anything, but for old age hearing loss, these seem to work.

 

[Ziggy]

I will dare to say........It is annoying as Fk having to repeatedly repeat myself to my darling spouse.

 

[rivermobster]

I just did a shit ton of homework on this subject...

The hearing aid market is gonna be history in short order. Why?

Cause the software and hardware in your phone and earbuds is changing exponentially.

First, for you iPhone phags...

Keep in mind this article is already a year old. Much has changed, but this will give you an idea...

Apple Airpods, Other Earbuds Used as Hearing Aids

Researchers say earbuds such as the Apple Airpod can be a cheaper alternative to hearing aids for some people with certain types of hearing loss

www.healthline.com

You guys probably already have what you need, so...

Customize Transparency mode and turn on Conversation Boost for AirPods Pro

On AirPods Pro, customize which sounds come through in Transparency mode, and turn on Conversation Boost to focus on the person talking in front of you.

support.apple.com

Now for the rest of us, we have many other options!

These are a bit pricey, but they seem bad azz. This site is a great site to do homework on also...

New Jabra and Sennheiser Earbuds Deliver High-End Hearing Enhancement

At CES 2023, Jabra and Sennheiser showed off new true wireless earbuds that integrate hearing enhancement technology developed by corporate partners who rank among the world’s five largest hearing aid companies.

www.hearingtracker.com

I bought a set of Samsung's ear buds and man what a difference!

If you're listening to music, and someone starts talking, they can automatically lower the music volume and listen to the person talking (if you want).

The noise cancelling feature works great too.

Explore Galaxy Buds3 Pro | In-Ear Wireless Earbuds | Samsung US

Discover the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, featuring an all new in-ear canal design, premium sound quality and auto sound optimization to perfectly mesh with your surroundings.

www.samsung.com

Lots of different options for us Android types.

Anyhow...

Do your own homework!!!

Lots of great high tech options out there besides the old school hearing aids your granny uses.

 

[Kachina26]

On my second set from Costco. The first set was battery operated, second set is rechargeable, these are much better than the battery operated. They are Phillip’s and cost the usual 1500 bucks. The beautiful thing about the Costco ones is they are fully insured for damage or loss no questions asked. They also furnish the ear buds and filters for free and in my case at least, changed by me at least once each month. They also will retest and adjust as required . They seem to be the same one’s sold by an optometrist.

I'd be leery of buying hearing aids from an optometrist.

 

[rivermobster]

I'd be leery of buying hearing aids from an optometrist.

Now that's a Serious upsell technique!

 

[zhandfull]

For all those who are thinking about taking the plunge my dad wears the ones as the OP listed and I think his were 6K thru doctor. When in the hospital his wire broke from the two pieces, and he was without them I saw a great video on Tic Tok about how your apple earbuds can be used as hearing aids and I took them and set them up for him to use and he was amazed at how well they worked. Of course, I played around with them first getting them to work and its crazy, but they pick up every little sound.

Something to think about before spending that type of cash on hearing aids is try the earbuds out if you have an iphone. There are several tutorials on how to set them up online.

Good Luck

Im going to give the AirPods Pro a shot and see how they work. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Kachina26]

Im going to give the AirPods Pro a shot and see how they work. Thanks for the tip.

Look at the online info first. Doesn't really work the way you think it might.

 

[rivermobster]

Look at the online info first. Doesn't really work the way you think it might.

I can tell you this much...

We messed around with my daughters iPhone and ear buds.

When we started playing around with the Transparency Mode, my first response was...

WTF is all that noise???

It ended up being the refrigerator running. I couldn't even hear it without the buds in!

After we played with the settings to eliminate the background noise...

I could hear her speaking Much better in Transparency mode. There are a Lot of somewhat hidden settings in there.

Do the older iPhone's and buds have all these features? Probably not. But since her boyfriend bought her a new phone and earbuds, she has all the latest and greatest stuff.

I can tell you first hand, it works.

 

[Kachina26]

I can tell you this much...

We messed around with my daughters iPhone and ear buds.

When we started playing around with the Transparency Mode, my first response was...

WTF is all that noise???

It ended up being the refrigerator running. I couldn't even hear it without the buds in!

After we played with the settings to eliminate the background noise...

I could hear her speaking Much better in Transparency mode. There are a Lot of somewhat hidden settings in there.

Do the older iPhone's and buds have all these features? Probably not. But since her boyfriend bought her a new phone and earbuds, she has all the latest and greatest stuff.

I can tell you first hand, it works.

I wish I liked the way the AirPods fit, but I don't. I bought some Anker earbuds and iPhone doesn't support that function on them. My company just upped coverage on hearing aids to $6k, so maybe I'll go the legit route.

 

[rivermobster]

I wish I liked the way the AirPods fit, but I don't. I bought some Anker earbuds and iPhone doesn't support that function on them. My company just upped coverage on hearing aids to $6k, so maybe I'll go the legit route.

Yeah, all Transparency Mode iPhone features only work with Their earbuds.

Maybe you should get a Real phone with some Real options to explore?

Nawwwwwww...

 

[rivermobster]

Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids of 2023 for Android and iOS

Premium Bluetooth hearing aids can be expensive. A pair can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $6,000—or more. Unfortunately, streaming accessories cost extra.

www.hearingtracker.com

 

[Kachina26]

Yeah, all Transparency Mode iPhone features only work with Their earbuds.

Maybe you should get a Real phone with some Real options to explore?

Nawwwwwww...

doesn't the transperancy mode use the phone's mic to pick up sound?

 

[rivermobster]

doesn't the transperancy mode use the phone's mic to pick up sound?

I don't believe so?

From the homework I did the pods that have this feature, have internal microphones that amplify the sounds around you and pass it through.

The controls for all this jazz are in the phone software.

Set headphone accommodations for AirPods

On iPhone or iPad, set headphone accommodation settings for your AirPods (2nd or 3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all generations), or AirPods Max to suit your hearing needs.

support.apple.com

 

[rivermobster]

AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode

AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have three noise-control modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. You can switch between them, depending on how much of your surroundings you want to hear.

support.apple.com

 

[rivermobster]

Apple has Always been super proprietary. That's why I'll Never buy into their system.

And not all of their stuff works with all of their stuff! You have to have the correct phone and the correct buds to take advantage of Transparency Mode. Not every apple product complies. Blah blah blah.

Now to be fair...

Using earbuds, that were traditionaly used for music and phone calls, as a hearing aid, IS a fairly new concept.

Technology is moving at light speed these days, so doing things like adding Three different external mics and at least one internal mic (like the Samsung buds have) is some cutting edge tech!

So now you have the big time audio companies, like Sennheiser and Polk Audio jumping into the game and things are Really getting stirred up.

It's awesome for the consumers (mainly our age group) that these improvements are taking place.

 

[jet496]

Go to the VA, they will give you hearing aids for the damage caused by the military, my dad has a pretty nice set of hearing aids from the VA. If you need help on how to do that PM me. You might even be able to get a monthly check due to the hearing loss, it won't be much but it could offset gas prices.

I do have a disability rating and get a few bucks every month but the VA hasn't been very useful in solving my issue in the past. My buddies got theirs through the VA but I just don't have the time to mess with them. I will PM you this week since it sounds like you know how they work though.

The film Private Ryan does a perfect job showing what it sounds like. Loud pitched sounds but everything's muffled. It's freaking loud right now. I don't let it bother me though.

 

[4Waters]

I do have a disability rating and get a few bucks every month but the VA hasn't been very useful in solving my issue in the past. My buddies got theirs through the VA but I just don't have the time to mess with them. I will PM you this week since it sounds like you know how they work though.

The film Private Ryan does a perfect job showing what it sounds like. Loud pitched sounds but everything's muffled. It's freaking loud right now. I don't let it bother me though.

My pops knows how it works. I told him about you today so he is aware.

 

[LuauLounge]

Quarter above Lexie hearing aid

 

[Kachina26]

My wife has been more vocal about having to raise her voice trying to talk to me. So I started doing some online shopping and I knew Costco had their kiosk. They also have a DIY set for $999 for the pair, with a 30 day refund policy. I thought, hell, if they work, great, if they don’t, back they go.
Spent most of today adjusting and fiddling.
They are only compatible with iPhone.
These are behind the ear with a wire and silicone tip that fits in the ear canal. There are three sizes of tips and vented and closed. I haven’t tried the closed tips, yet, thinking that it would be more natural augmenting the sound. So far, I’m impressed.
Where I noticed the loss is in a loud environment and conversations. At home, TV on, dog with a squeaky toy and my wife talking to me was a big issue as well. In this environment, they are working well. Tons of adjustments to personalize front, 360, treble, bass, right left and 10 programmable environment situations. They give you a measuring guide for the length of the tube between the ear canal and the receiver unit, but don’t provide the tube. 3 minutes on hold and 2 on the phone and the proper ones will be here next week.

https://www.costco.com/lexie-b2-rec...-aids-powered-by-bose.product.4000189191.html

Price just went down. Go get the difference refunded.

 

[Wicky]

My wife has been more vocal about having to raise her voice trying to talk to me. So I started doing some online shopping and I knew Costco had their kiosk. They also have a DIY set for $999 for the pair, with a 30 day refund policy. I thought, hell, if they work, great, if they don’t, back they go.
Spent most of today adjusting and fiddling.
They are only compatible with iPhone.
These are behind the ear with a wire and silicone tip that fits in the ear canal. There are three sizes of tips and vented and closed. I haven’t tried the closed tips, yet, thinking that it would be more natural augmenting the sound. So far, I’m impressed.
Where I noticed the loss is in a loud environment and conversations. At home, TV on, dog with a squeaky toy and my wife talking to me was a big issue as well. In this environment, they are working well. Tons of adjustments to personalize front, 360, treble, bass, right left and 10 programmable environment situations. They give you a measuring guide for the length of the tube between the ear canal and the receiver unit, but don’t provide the tube. 3 minutes on hold and 2 on the phone and the proper ones will be here next week.

https://www.costco.com/lexie-b2-rec...-aids-powered-by-bose.product.4000189191.html

FDA deregulated hearing aids when Trump was in office and the CFRs have been changed on these class 3 devices. $3000 Hearing aids will be less than $500 soon.

 

[DaveH]

i dunno i always thought loss of hearing in ageing men was a gift from god........

 

[LuauLounge]

Price just went down. Go get the difference refunded.
View attachment 1298898

Great, I'm still in the window.....Gotta love Costco

What is your opinion so far?

 

[Kachina26]

Great, I'm still in the window.....Gotta love Costco

What is your opinion so far?

Didn’t get them, just saw them go on sale and thought of your thread. I’m waiting for the magic bullet to make the tinnitus go away. Maybe in the next year or so I’ll get hearing aids of some sort.

 

[LuauLounge]

I received these on Oct 18. I have spent quite a bit of time dialing them in and I suspect this will be an ongoing process, however, it's easy to do.
First of all, they are small and light and you don't know you are wearing them. I get up early and am working from home so I don't normally put them in as all my interaction is email and phone.
Where I do notice a huge difference is that when my wife turns the TV on and is 5 feet away on an adjoining couch, I can now hear them both, something that didn't happen before.
So, she's happy........
I didn't see any reason to go to audiologist and spend $5k, so I bought these, if they don't do what I want, there's a 45 day return window. So far, they are doing what I needed to be done.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Fellas.... I just spent 5 straight days with a ex Navy machinist working in San Diegos helicopter base. Having served several tours... he's only 52 and we didn't discuss his hearing but the volume he needed on NFL games and all music/ tv was extreme..... cant imagine what living with a dude that deaf would be like.... so if you're on this thread and wondering if its an issue and maybe your wives are hinting ; IT IS AN ISSUE
My 95 year old mom says folks that begin to lose hearing start to withdraw socially and that becomes an issue negative to their socialization and interaction. Hearing matters she says.....

 

[LuauLounge]

Another huge side affect of hearing loss…

The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss

Not hearing well isn’t just frustrating; it can bring surprising health risks. Here’s what you need to know.

www.hopkinsmedicine.org

 

[Pattle]

I just picked mine up on Halloween. It's weird some of the noises I now hear. Paper shuffling, my pants rustling when I walk, my damn keyboard in my office is LOUD!

Being able to hear the owner when he stands by the door of my office and mumbles is nice. I usually just smile and nod, worrying I may be agreeing to something I shouldn't. Now I can hear him. Well, mostly.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

I just picked mine up on Halloween. It's weird some of the noises I now hear. Paper shuffling, my pants rustling when I walk, my damn keyboard in my office is LOUD!

Being able to hear the owner when he stands by the door of my office and mumbles is nice. I usually just smile and nod, worrying I may be agreeing to something I shouldn't. Now I can hear him. Well, mostly.

They're adjustable from what I recall as my friend got used to his Costco hearing aids many years ago. He was hearing way too much so brought sounds down but can't recall how he got that done if he went back to costco or hearing Dr.

 

[checkrdpast]

I have a Cochlear implant on the left and a Costco on the right. Costco are great for aids.

 

[Pattle]

They're adjustable from what I recall as my friend got used to his Costco hearing aids many years ago. He was hearing way too much so brought sounds down but can't recall how he got that done if he went back to costco or hearing Dr.

Yup, there is an app on my phone where I can control the volume, choose generic filtration modes (general, noisy, meeting) and even an equalizer if I want to play with the specific frequencies. For now, I'm just leaving it all alone, and am just glad I can now hear the whispered gossip versus before I had to decide whether it was worthy enough to close the door and make them loudly repeat it.

 

[LuauLounge]

Here's the iPhone control panels for the Lexie hearing aids. I've had no experience with hearing aids, however, I haven't found anything it is missing that I need. It streams phone calls from an iPhone, but not TV or other devices. If I can hear, I don't need to stream anything. Also good in that if you have someone loud next to you, you can tune them down. You can also have 14 saved settings for different scenarios.