Costco may have become a well-known name in the global world of retail, and is most commonly associated with bulk-buy foods, but the retailer has also become a leading name in the hearing aid market.
Over the past few years, the company has become one of the largest sellers of hearing aids in the US since it introduced its own brand Kirkland range in 1992.
While the devices may not offer all of the higher-end options and features available with many other premium hearing aid brands, one of the most significant features of Costco’s range of Kirkland hearing aids is the price. Most hearing aids cost around $2,000 per device. However, Kirkland hearing aids are more affordable, starting from around $1,499 for a pair and come with a free hearing test at Costco, hearing aid cleanings, and follow-up appointments.
The Kirkland label has long been the value brand for many Costco products, both inside and outside the hearing aid department and it has grown to become a prominent and popular brand within Costco’s hearing centers. While Costco Kirkland hearing aids have traditionally been produced by Rexton and GN ReSound, Costco’s latest Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aid range are produced by the Phonak parent company, Sonova International. The devices utilize the wireless Sonova Sword chip to make the hearing aid range Bluetooth compatible, enabling users to wirelessly stream audio from their Bluetooth devices directly to their hearing aids.
The Kirkland Signature 9.0 is a reliable receiver-in-ear (RIC) hearing aid that builds on the Kirkland Signature 8.0 hearing aid technology and offers first-class technology combined with a modern style and powerful performance to deliver discreet, natural and comfortable listening experience.
Since the Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aid release date in 2019, these hearing aids remain some of the most advanced hearing aids around. Some of its key features include:
● Direct Bluetooth connectivity to both ears
● Binaural beamforming and signal processing
● Premium environmental sound detection
● Crystal clear streamed media quality
● Built-in microphones for hands-free calls
● Automatic and manual fine-tuned hearing options
Costco also acquired its Kirkland Signature hearing aid specifications from Phonak. Plus, in 2020, the KS9 hearing aids now support the myPhonak app for wireless adjustments and are compatible with RogerDirect microphones.
The 2020 release, which is technically KS10, also came with a telecoil, which supports this new technology, putting it on par with the industry’s leading hearing aids.
The Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aid (KS9) is manufactured by Sonova, the only hearing aid company to offer the Made for All (MFA) Bluetooth streaming technology.
Costco Kirkland hearing aids encompass the same technologies found in other popular brands, including Phonak and Hansaton.
The key to Kirkland hearing aids is Costco’s affordable pricing policy. Whereas other hearing aids can cost an average of $2,000 per pair, Kirkland Signature hearing aids are priced at just $1,500 per pair.
Costco Kirkland hearing aids reviews are generally positive about these Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids. Other styles of hearing aid are available from Costco but not under the Kirkland brand.
RIC hearing aids are small, versatile, and discrete. Hearing aids can be easily inserted and removed. They are designed to be easy to adjust.
With multiple audio channels, Kirkland Signature hearing aids are suitable for a wide range of hearing loss types.
Read any Kirkland Signature 9.0 hearing aid review, or reviews of the KS10, and you’ll see that they are praised for their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. This was a feature not available with earlier models.
Consumer Reports magazine has given the batteries for Kirkland Signature hearing aids a ‘BEST BUY’ rating.
This is because these long-lasting hearing aid batteries are designed to prove a full day of hearing every time. Average battery life depends on how often you use your hearing aids and what you use them for.
Some Kirkland hearing reviews report a battery life of 24 hours. In contrast, other Kirkland Signature hearing aids reviews say that their batteries lasted for more than three days before they needed to be replaced.
The answer is to test out your hearing aids with Costco’s Kirkland batteries to see how much hearing time you get out of them.
Generally, these batteries are reliable and provide one of the best battery-powered hearing aid options on the market.
Most hearing aid wearers want to make the listening experience as convenient as possible for them. Kirkland’s upgraded hearing aids support multiple accessories to make your life simpler.
All Kirkland Signature hearing aid purchases come with a hard-shell charging case, a soft carrying case, and cleaning tools. These come completely free of charge.
Let’s take a look at some of the accessories available with both KS9 and KS10 hearing aids.
Many hearing aid wearers prefer to keep their devices discrete. The EasyLine RemoteControl comes with three large tactile buttons for altering the volume.
This remote control can easily fit into a purse or a pocket and be easily adjusted according to the situation. Nobody will ever know you even wear hearing aids when you adjust them remotely.
One of the great frustrations of wearing hearing aids is hearing what you want to hear in noisy environments. Traditionally, hearing aids have struggled with this, but Kirkland Signature hearing aids use state-of-the-art technology to make it easier to hear friends and family in crowded locations.
The EasyLine Partner Mic connects directly to your hearing aids. Your partner can wear this discrete microphone on their lapel or blouse. When they speak, you’ll hear them in crystal clear HD, regardless of what’s going on around you.
Long days happen, and worrying about the current battery life on your hearing aids shouldn’t be a part of it. Plus, hearing aids batteries often don’t degrade at the same rate.
The EasyLine Power Pack is a portable charger that offers multiple charges on the go. If you only have a few minutes while on a long trip, this accessory provides a quick burst of power to keep your hearing aids working.
The myPhonak app comes from the renowned hearing aid brand Phonak. Since Kirkland Signature is manufactured by Sonova, the same manufacturer behind Phonak hearing aids, the app is compatible with Costco’s hearing aids.
This app offers remote control functionality from your smartphone. It also comes with tinnitus masking, remote care, and personalized noise cancellation.
It’s compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and elevates the overall hearing experience.
Costco’s TV Connector accessory is a small device that connects directly to your television. It provides wireless audio streaming to your hearing aids. You can also customize the volume, so you’re free to watch TV with your friends and family comfortably.
For an additional cost, your hearing aids can be fitted with custom earmolds. Although the standard fitting is perfectly comfortable, you can add an extra layer of comfort with customized earmolds.
To have these fitted, you’ll need to schedule and attend an in-person appointment at a Costco Hearing Center near you.
Other than selling a high-quality product at an affordable price, what makes Costco Kirkland hearing aids stand out are the hearing aid services available through Costco.
Here’s a list of some of the services included. These services are all available for free, but they’re only available to members of Costco. As of this writing, standard membership begins at $60 per year.
Costco offers free hearing tests for members. While some staff members are qualified audiologists, most staff aren’t. This is why we recommend scheduling your hearing test through EarPros.
Costco offers free hearing tests for members. While some staff members are qualified audiologists, most staff aren’t. This is why we recommend scheduling your hearing test through EarPros.
Do you have any problems with your new hearing aids? Perhaps they don’t fit correctly, or you need them to be manually adjusted for a better hearing experience.
Costco also offers follow-up appointments for any adjustments that need to be made. It can take weeks to get the sound profile to suit you, and the support of a professional during this time can be critical to your listening experience.
Every so often, it’s important to return your hearing aids to have them professionally serviced. Professional cleaning and check-up are all part of the service when you purchase your hearing aids from Costco.
The standard industry warranty length for hearing aids ranges from one to three years. Costco offers affordable 180-day warranties for its Kirkland Signature hearing aids. This is usually long enough to guarantee that there aren’t any problems.
Also, warranties vary depending on the model of hearing aid you purchase. Make sure you check the terms and conditions of any warranty before buying.
Separate from its standard warranty, Costco offers two-year coverage for loss and damage. This is a purchasable extra and may be extended for a fee.
With hearing aids being so small and easy to lose or accidentally break, this type of coverage should be considered essential for any hearing aid wearer.
If you do need an in-person appointment at Costco, you’ll need to schedule an appointment at a location close to you.
One of the disadvantages of the Costco Hearing Aid Center is there can be a reasonable waiting time.
If you need a hearing exam, we recommend that you schedule a free hearing test with EarPros.
From looking at any prominent Kirkland Signature hearing aid review, it’s clear that these hearing aids are designed to be as accessible as possible. In keeping with tradition, every new model is more affordable than the last one.
Kirkland Signature hearing aids include four different receivers, which enable them to cover hearing loss ranging from mild to profound.
However, they are not suitable for people with more complex types of hearing loss, such as single-sided deafness.
Before choosing these hearing aids, book a hearing test with EarPros first. Your professional will be able to advise you on the right pair of hearing aids for you.
If you are looking for a hearing aid that combines good quality hearing and great value, then the Kirkland Signature range could be a good fit for you. Schedule a consultation with your hearing care professional to find out more.
It's time to finally treat your hearing loss. Sign up for a free consultation with a licensed hearing care professional today to determine if you have hearing loss. It’s the start of your journey towards better hearing.
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