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REXTON HEARING AIDS, which is a BRAND owned by SIEMENS, one of the best and largest hearing aid Companies in the World, for legal marketing purposes, has PRIVATE LABELED their hearing aids under the name KIRKLAND which COSTCO uses for a lot of products they sell. By using a private label, Manufacturers and Vendors are able to circumvent specific Federal Laws regarding unfair business practices,discounting,price discrimination,etc.

The usual problem with a Private Label product such as BELTONE,MIRACLE-EAR,AUDIBEL,SONUS,NU-EAR,ETC,ETC,ETC, is that the Software and hardware necessary to the service and programming of Digital Hearing Aids is not made available to anyone other than those restricted hearing aid offices, which means the Consumer has no choice but to have to do business with a very limited and often non-competitive service and product providers which results in limited and restrictive service policies and procedures.

There is no substitute for true competition, which is always to the best advantage to the Consumer.

This is not the case with the KIRKLAND BRAND although I doubt COSTCO Customers for hearing aids are so informed.

Since the Kirkland Brand is a standard REXTON BRAND they can be serviced by any Independent Hearing Aid Office in the United States for programming and other services. So while there be only be a limited number of COSTCO hearing aid centers throughout the United States, there are thousands of SIEMEN & REXTON hearing aid offices.

The KIRKLAND BRAND is exactly the same product as provided under the REXTON BRAND.

The Serial Number which is visible when the battery door is opended is the most important feature of any hearing aid, including KIRLAND/REXTON. Such number is always provided with the Sales Agreement or Contract and should be retained for the life of the product.

The most exciting part of the KIRKLAND branded HEARING AIDS IS THE PRICE.

COSTCO is offering 2 RECEIVER-IN-THE-CANAL 16 CHANNEL HEARING AIDS FOR 1999.99 DOLLARS.

THIS PRICE INCLUDES A 3 YEAR LOSS&DAMAGE AND REPAIR WARRANTY.

IT ALSO INCLUDES A WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL AND A BATTERY CHARGER FOR USE WITH PROVIDED RE-CHARGEABLE HEARING AID BATTERIES.

THESE ARE ALL ACCESSORIES WHICH USUALLY ARE CHARGED IN ADDITION TO THE PRICE OF A HEARING AID.

Why COSTCO offers and provides any other Brand or Product of Hearing Aid than the KIRKLAND BRAND is beyond me.

Although COSTCO doesn't promote or recommend custom earmolds used in conjunction with their Receiver-In-The Canal Products, they are available upon demand by the Hearing Aid User.

I strongly recommend the use of such custom made molds because they provide a better more secure fit in the ear canal, eliminating squeal and better retention in the canal minimizing the possibility of loss of the hearing aids. Such molds also ensure the correction positioning and direction of the receiver (speaker).

The benefit of the RIC DESIGN (Receiver-in-the Canal) is that the Receiver, also known as the Speaker, is in a close position of the Eardrum and further away from the Microphone which is encased in the hearing aid which hangs over the Ear,resulting in less Feedback(Squealing) Potential.

These hearing aids offer many different programs (various by frequency amplification output selections) designed and intended to make the hearing aids more tolerable. and more effective in more environments and situations.

The Program changes are affected by the provided REMOTE CONTROL.

There is no strict rules about what program to use since the hearing aid user is the only one that can determine what sounds best in what environment and situation.

The Primary Purpose of a Hearing Aid is to understand the Spoken Word as correctly as possible.

This is usually accomplished in a quiet environment, with a minimum amount of ambient noise, in a one on one conversation.

Anything beyond that is a BONUS.

COSTCO has an unlimited return policy of CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. IF THE DISPENSER DOESN'T COOPERATE, CONTACT THE STORE MANAGER.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I DO NOT,AND NEVER HAVE, BEEN AN EMPLOYEE OF COSTCO. IN FACT I DON'T EVEN HAVE A MEMBERSHIP.

I AM IN DIRECT COMPETION WITH COSTCO AND I COMPETE VERY WELL AGAINST THEM.

I PROVIDE THE SAME PRICING, BETTER SERVICE, AND 29 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

I AM ALSO SELF-EMPLOYED SALES QUOTAS. I ONLY ANSWER TO MY CLIENTS. NO PRESSURE AND NO SALES QUOTAS.

I PROVIDE THE INFORMATION I DO REGARDING COSTCO AS A PUBLIC SERVICE INTENDED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CONSUMER.

I BELIEVE IN THE FREE MARKET AND COMPEITION. IT MAKES ALL OF US PERFORM BETTER.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENT, DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT DAVID A.THORPE AT (800) 432-****v

ALSIP MAGISTRATE

JUNE 22,2012

Location: Fountain Valley, California

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Guest

ccc

Guest

the worst hearing aids bin the world.

Guest

Please tell me how often should I change hearing aids? I got my first pair when I was 70 years old and I am 75 this year.

Assuming my hearing ability stays about the same, how long do the hearing aids last? When I asked a sales person, he said I should get new ones!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1131937

Horrible terrible very painful. Seen twice the audiologists trying fixing problems without luck .

Extremely uncomfortable.

Stopped working in a 2 weeks Unfortunately the store never answered calls apparently others clients in waiting room did have same problem where l purchase them and now they are close completely ! Waste of time and money very stressful, embarrassing humiliating

Guest

Very helpful! I appreciate the information.

A "Hearing Center" just opened up in our CVS pharmacy.

They sell Rexton, and I'd never heard of it. Just trying to determine whether it's a good company and whether I'd be dealer-captive.

Guest

Two months ago i bought a pair of Rexton hearing aids at Costco.I have been having trouble with them. I am getting a winding noise and when i watch TV i get a back ground noise.

I have returned four time for help and it is not better.

Two ladies have been very good to help me . Is it possible that it is a defective set?

Larry

Guest

This blog is out of date. ReSound now supplies the Costco Kirkland Signature 5 and 6, which are comparable to ReSound's Linx 9 (as of Aug 20, 2015).

Guest

I am from California and bought my latest two sets of hearing aids at Costco. There are four Costco's in a 50 mile radius and all of them have had California certified hearing aid technicians.

They have to learn about and apprentice for the position and take the state issued test to become licensed. They are not simply cashiers. I have worked with two audiologist offices before becoming a Costco hearing aid customer and have been tested thoroughly. Also, I was able to walk around Costco for as long as I wanted to test the different hearing aid models.

avoid Visalia Costco's Hearing aid center though! The new guy tech came from sales environment and is completely unhelpful, though I heard from my favorite Costco's tech that he has a high in store sales record.

go figure.

Guest

I had a hearing test at Costco today. I was told my hearing was poor in both ears.

She asked me to walk around the store to test their hearing aids. I had a hard time hearing voices and couldn't hear the intercom at all.

She told me that my brain would start getting use to the tones I hadn't been hearing and I would start hearing more clearly after a short time, as the brain had to adjust to the sounds I was now hearing. Has anyone else had this problem at first?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-909969

yes. I've had two sets of hearing aids and both took adjusting just like my eyes did when I got new glasses. The brain is amazing and adjusts in remarkable ways.

Guest

I was so happy when I checked Costco for hearing aids. I had gone to Beltone and they wanted 5700 dollars I compared theirs to costco and found no difference and saved 3200 dollars as I upgraded a little bit.

That pays for many years of memberships.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-906322

You DO NOT have to have a membership AFTER you purchase hearing aids at Costco!! My membership ran out last year and I got my free annual hearing test last week, no charge and no membership.

They have also given me free ear buds and sports clips FREE!

The warranty is for 3 years and they also give lifetime support with NO mention of membership being required after the initial purchase.

Guest

This is a great article. I found some great hearing aids in Ottawa.

Mayne others will have the same luck! Thanks!

Guest

VERY Helpful to this 1st time buyer, esp as I rely on NYC's bus/subway to reach Manhattan's only Costco which, for HAs, seems very 'iffy', with NO Audiologist, no weekend service, unanswered/disconnect phones, "please Leave A Message" calls not returned, just 2 staff & a 2 week delay to see the "Tester".

Seems they want to close this Department but can't yet for PR reasons.

But, assuming "Independants" keep software to 'tune' old HAs, even if Costco drops HAs locally, I'll be able to update as my hearing further deteriorates over the years.

On the other hand, I note your year-old advice is for a Receiver-In-the-Canal] unit while today the web seems to show the Kirkland 4.0 BTE as a combined Speaker/Mic unit with a tube taking sound to the ear which, to me, presents all sorts of problems and looks like a "stealth" downgrade of the 4.0.

With no TechSpecs, ModleNumbers, etc. apparently available, how can I be assured I'm getting the best '4.0' out there?

Guest

Sounds like a marketing pitch

I PROVIDE THE INFORMATION I DO REGARDING COSTCO AS A PUBLIC SERVICE INTENDED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CONSUMER..

I BELIEVE IN THE FREE MARKET AND COMPEITION!. IT MAKES ALL OF US PERFORM BETTER". :zzz

Guest

I agree that COSTCO is a great place to get hearing aids. I just got 2 of the Kirkland Brand and I am so happy with their performance.

BTW, my medical insurance picked up the total cost for both hearing aids and thats a plus!

A Ha :) ppy Camper!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-607880

My husband and I can't figure out how to tell when the Kirklands are off. There are three ways to turn them off.

We tried them all and when we put them in the charger, they made all kinds of noise. His hearing is not that bad so he couldn't tell if they were off or if the dome was restricting the sound. Can you tell me if one can hear feedback is they are turned off? If doesn't make sense to me but I'm new to this.

Also, what medical insurance do you have? bobbitz@***.com HELP!!!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-702389

Sorry not to see your msg sooner.

The 4.0s automatically turn themselves off in the recharger when you close the lid [you're asked to put them in the recharger while they're "On"; I've no idea why this should be necessary but, of course, I comply]

I've not found a way to check 'On/Off' when not wearing them but with them on I reach over my ear & lightly brush a finger across the top of the HA [where the microphone opening is] which creates a distinctively amplified sound [assuming you keep your remote control's volume set to above 1 or 2, mine's usually @5] similar to vigorously rubbing canvas with an old fashioned scrub brush.

If the HAs are 'Off' it sounds sort of like scratching your head behind your ear.

Wearing them, you can also run the volume up&down with the remote and if they're 'off' you'll detect no change.

Hope this helps; sorry it's so late.

jfr

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-702389

Go ask you said provider how to use them!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-607880

What insurance do you have that covers hearing aids?

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