I've finally given in. My hearing has gotten to the point I need to get some hearing aids. Years of shooting and other abuse has taken about all of my ability to hear a conversation if there is any background noise. The masks don't help anything either because I am relying more on lip reading then I realized. Suggestions as to brand and where to buy. I do have a Costco membership but haven't gone by to check them out. Also, the price range looks to be pretty broad. What's the best bang for the buck? Can I get by on $1K or do I need to spend $3 or $4K to be happy? Thanks.

Taking notes.

5 years ago I did quite a bit of research and got a lot of input from a tech a savvy person who bought his from COSTCO and highly recommended their Kirkland hearing aids.
I am not a member at COSTCO but have a membership at Sams, had Sams do the hearing test then shared with their employee that I was told to go to COSTCO, she replied yes COSTCO'S Kirkland aids are the best for the $$.
So I bought my hearing aids at COSTCO for $1,800, I think they are around $1,600 now. At the time if you bought the high end membership for $100.00 it gives you a 5% rebate on purchases on everything except gas, the rebate on the hearing aids was $90 so my membership only cost me $10.00

I like my hearing aids!!

Gonna keep my ear to this as I need them also.

Stub, what model did you buy? Are they the "in the canal" type? Thanks for the input.

I have the Oticon brand of hearing aids. Not cheap but the difference between with and without is not even comparable. First thing in the morning, I put them in my ears, next my glasses on, last thing at night, hearing aids into the charger, and take my glasses off. These are the "Behind The Ear" style, also known as BTE. I previously had the inside of the ear style, but the last time I needed new ones I switched to the BTE, it was like night and day, but part of that is the new technology that keeps improving them.

They are also Bluetooth connected to my cell phone both for the ring and the voice. Battery recharge is fast, a few hours and they last all day plus. Forget to set them into the charger, means about an hour or so doing without. The BTE are also more comfortable than the in the ear style. .

Pretty sure it was the Signatures series. Just popped this one out for ya.

Like DC these are Buetooth also.

I have the Phonax. I got them at Costco and they were about $2800 for the pair.
Worth the money.

if you are a veteran go to the va and get em, mine are phonak/bluetooth.

I am deaf without mine in, with them I can hear pretty good and the phone sounds really clear.

no idea what they cost bought elsewhere.

Phonak is the brand for reliability I'm on my second set.

Mine also came from the VA thoes 4 years in the Navy helped.

If you were not in country, don’t count on any help. They won’t touch me.

How does costco fit for them. Normallyey a hearing test and a ear mold is needed

Do they have an audiologist

Having struggled with the old style analog aids 38 years ago, I now enjoy the benefits of digital and Bluetooth technology. If you are contemplating hearing aids for the first, here’s a few things to consider:

Set an appointment with an audiologist. They will carry specific brands of aids. They will conduct an in office hearing evaluation to determine your needs. You need to be confident in your audiologist because they will make adjustments, install apps, set up your phone and much more.

Styles: behind the ear or in the canal. In the canal requires an exact mold of your inner ear. It is slightly less visible than behind the ear. Behind the ear ear is initially more comfortable and no mold required. This is a huge advantage because WHEN you have to come in for an adjustment or repair they can put you in a loaner and out the door in 15 minutes. You are still completely functional.

Brands: it is difficult to state one brand is better than another. I suspect all the current technologies are very similar.

I have the inner ear molded ones. I do farming/ranching and in summer months I get pretty hot and sweaty, behind the ear would not work for me because of this. I also protect my hearing aids with my life because without them I can't hear chit. Working by myself and hot & sweaty I just take them out.
My new ones are pretty cool with the BT technology. I can answer my phone or listen to music via the aids once paired with my phone. You can also get a thing for the TV so you can hear the TV sound via the aids.

My behind the ear aid also has custom molded ear pieces. The Audiologist sticks some sort of epoxy in your ear and in a few minuts pulls it out. This gets sent to the company and they mold the ear piece with the electronics inside. The BTE piece that hangs off the back of the ear is what captures the sound and transmits it to the molded ear piece.

I have worn hearing aids since the late 1970s, not sure of what pair I am on, but before the last ones I had the in the ear versions. They were good, but the BTE are better, according to the Audiologist, it because of technology and the fact that the BTE parts are bigger and can hold more electronics.

When my wife has company I can turn the sound on the TV so low that nobody hears it, I can adjust my "ears" and it comes in as clear as it was before I turned the sound down. All I have to do is remember to nod and answer when it is my turn. .

Over the years the VA have changed the rules about hearing aids. In the early 70's I had to appeal rulings several times before I was awarded a service connected disability. Today, they are a lot easier to get, back then, the VA always used the argument that you were provided hearing protection, if your ears were damaged it was because you chose to do so and denied the claims..

Oticon BTE have worked well for me. Have heard good things about Costco and the Kirkland brand also. Have one in the left ear that is to transmit sound to the aid in the right ear, so far I am a bit disappointed in the aid for left ear. Around $3500. for the 2 if I remember correctly.

Me too... money well spent!

Now aday the VA looks at hearing lose as a quality of life issue and provides aids without any push back.
Thank you VA!

I have an appointment at Costco. They have several brands they said that I can try. I'm curious how much improvement there will be and see the difference in various brands.

Good for you. If you have significant hearing loss and this is your first aid, the results will be very profound. Older folks may experience a sensory overload for a few days. It may feel slightly irritating but passes quickly. Hope you enjoy your improved life.

Following, does anyone have tinnitus and did the hearing aids help any? Thanks

No help at all with tinnitus.

Thanks dogcatcher. Sucks to hear, I think that is the worst part for me .