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Should You Buy Hearing Aids From Costco vs. Jacobs Audiology – What’s The Difference?

by | Aug 6, 2020 | Hearing Aids, Industry News, Patient Resources

With so many people incorrectly believing that the solution to a hearing loss is a set of hearing aids, we regularly receive phone calls from people asking if we can price match Costco.

The Problem Is, It’s Not An Apples vs. Apples Comparison

Whereas Costco sells great priced hearing AIDS, our focus, and the way that we care for thousands of patients is by offering hearing CARE.

That’s why I have decided to create this article to share a side-by-side comparison of the key differences between choosing us and choosing to buy from Costco.

My hope is that this helps and ensures that you’re informed and given all the facts before making your decision.

As you can see, there are some large instructions.

The first that stands out is the Comprehensive Hearing Assessment.

Costco’s website says that they offer “free hearing tests to determine if you could be helped by a hearing aid.”

Whereas at Jacobs Audiology, we offer an advanced assessment, which starts by ensuring that your hearing challenge is not a result of any form of medical condition, checking your hearing thresholds, word understanding, and middle-ear fluids.

This ensures that any other reason for a hearing loss is checked, and you can be referred and that the outcome of your assessment is much more accurate.

The second thing that you’ll notice is the length of “Repair Warranty” and “Loss & Damage Warranty.”

This is how long your hearing devices are protected for if they break, need repair, or are lost, with Costco offering two years for Loss & Damage and three years for Repairs.

Due to our constant level of care, regular cleanings, and support, we confidently offer 4 years, knowing that due to their regular maintenance, they are much less likely to break or face any challenges.

You then have the level of care that you receive.

Costco does have some lovely hearing aid specialists within their team, but the big difference between choosing them and working with Jacobs Audiology is the level of care, attention, and support that you receive.

This includes Virtual Appointments and Real-Time Video Appointments, where you can get help, support, and adjustments from the comfort of your own home through an innovative app that allows you to have appointments online.

And it includes “Loaners,” which allow you to be fitted with new devices if your hearing aids ever need to be repaired, ensuring that you’re never without.

However, when it comes to price, Costco is very competitively priced as one of the biggest hearing aid buyers in the USA.

With their devices being available from $1,199 – they offer good technology for very low prices.

Although we’re unable to go that low due to the level of care that you receive, we also have highly competitive pricing and low-cost technology available. Still, we do have some key differences that are more beneficial to some.

This includes Fully Managed Insurance Benefits, where we can contact your insurance company on your behalf to maximize your benefits and allow you to step into better hearing for significantly less of an out-of-pocket expense.

On top of this, Jacobs Audiology also offers Payment Plans, allowing you to spread payments over months and years for a small manageable monthly fee.

Another key difference is our Minimum Trade-In Value that allows you to upgrade and step into new technology with $1,000 off when you trade in your old hearing technology, instead of having to reinvest from scratch.

Final Thoughts

Costco is a great option for many people that want better hearing for the lowest possible fee, but if you value the level of care, support, and a relationship with a locally owned business that cares, then Jacobs Audiology may be the right option for you.

The decision is entirely up to you, but my hope is that this article has given you more information to make the best possible decision based upon it.

If you have any questions or need any help, then you can reach us at our Bowie office at 301-860-1124 or our Southern Maryland office at 410-535-0024.

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Marcie Jacobs, M.A., F-AAA

Marcie Jacobs has extensive experience in the field of Audiology. She became an audiologist over 25 years ago and has practiced in Southern Maryland and Prince Georges County. Jacobs Audiology was founded in 2011 with the philosophy of providing superior hearing health care for their patients. Her unique combination of empathy and energy result in excellent patient care. Marcie Jacobs obtained her Master of Science degree in Audiology from the University of Maryland in 1991.

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    Bowie, MD 301-860-1124
    Southern MD 410-535-0024
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    Southern Maryland

    410-535-0024

    Bowie, MD

    301-860-1124

    Bowie, MD

    301-860-1124

    Southern Maryland

    410-535-0024

    Waldorf, MD

    410-535-0024