I have been using hearing aids for the past 25 years. I bought my first pair from Costco and had excellent service with those in-the-ear instruments and the service provided by Costco employees. I went to Costco primarily because of convenience and low cost as I was paying out-of-pocket. Just like all technology products, the hearing aids would last about four or five years. My second pair, also from Costco, were in-the-ear style as well. Eventually, as my hearing deteriorated further, I graduated to the behind-the-ear technology that is popular today. About two years ago, my insurance provider offered some coverage for hearing aids, but the coverage did not include Costco devices. Instead, I was directed to Dr. Hear. The insurance would pay $750 towards the purchase of hearing aids from Dr. Hear. The hearing aids from Widex that Dr. Hear offered were list priced at over $6000. This was about three times or more what I had been paying at Costco. But Dr. Hear discounted the price, giving me the insurance company contracted price, with the $750 discount, totaling $3200. This was still almost twice as much as Costco, but I thought since my insurance company was promoting this offer, that these must be much better devices.
I received the Widex hearing aids from Dr. Hear, but had trouble with them right from the start. First of all, all control of the hearing aids was done on my phone - there was a single button on the device that would turn the volume up but not down. Secondly, I had constant echoing that was unbearable. After two weeks, I returned to Dr. Hear with my complaints, hoping that they could make some improvements. They played with the adjustments on the computer, but frankly, there was no improvement. I was convinced at this point, because the cost of these hearing aids was so high, that the problems must be with my ears, and not with the devices.
I made an appointment with my ear, nose and throat doctor to see what was wrong with my hearing. I was told that there had been no substantial changes in my ears.
I went back to Dr. Hear for another adjustment session three more times. I was sold new custom made in-the-canal domes that they said would solve the echoing problem. I had to wait a month for their delivery. But there was no improvement. By now, my return privileges on the hearing aids had expired so I was stuck with these poor performing devices.
It's a year and a half later now, and I gave up trying to make the Widex hearing aids work. I returned to Costco this month and purchased (out-of-pocket) a set of the latest offering Phillips hearing aids from Costco. I can't tell you how happy I am that I did! I am so sorry I wasted my time and so much money trying to work with Dr. Hear. I cannot recommend their services to anyone.
Leslie Bateman
Diamond Bar read more
