# Best way to get hearing test and shop for hearing aids? What's your experience? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2024, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847 "2024-08-17T21:40:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/21 "2024-08-18T21:20:26Z")
Do you have any reasonably good headphones? Not necessarily super-high-end, but better than cheapo earbuds etc. If so, there are a lot of online tests you can try. I’m a musician so I pay rather careful notice to my hearing range. Fortunately I don’t seem to have lost too much overall sensitivity, though I now cut off at around 10.5 KHz. Used to hear up to at least 15K a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/22 "2024-08-18T21:36:29Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > We didn’t have a membership, but we got one. We were very pleased with the service, and he got top quality hearing aids at a much lower price. We don’t use Costco at all, but I’ll renew the membership when the time comes just in case he needs service, etc. If you already paid for the Costco membership just for the hearing aids, you might want to take the time to wander around the entire store to see if any of the regular stuff appeals to you and some stores sell gasoline at competitive prices. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/23 "2024-08-18T22:33:43Z")
Yes, I did that once, although I’m not sure my headphones were up to it. It showed I had lost some high end frequencies too, but as I’m not a musician I was not too bothered by it at the time. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/24 "2024-08-18T22:51:57Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > If anyone here is retired military, you can get very good prescription hearing aids at very low cost at some military facilities. My father loved the hearing aids he got this way. He got them early enough in his old age that he could adjust to them easily after only a few days. My mother’s vascular dementia, however, was already far enough along when she got her (non-military) aids and she never could adjust to them. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/25 "2024-08-19T20:16:27Z")
Yes, I do need to check out Costco better, our mistake was being there on a Saturday afternoon! ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/26 "2024-09-14T22:23:51Z")
Update: I had a hearing test at Costco today. Very nice guy, the actual test consisted of three parts: tones of varying frequency and loudness; one-syllable words preceded by “say the word”; and two-syllable words by themselves at varying loudness levels. I scored 90% on the words. With the tones, I had mild hearing loss on lower frequencies, and a drop to moderate loss on 4K and up. He did try to sell me hearing aids, of course, but there was no pressure per se. I did think that he emphasized the problems more than my daily life experience has warranted so far, but also the seed has been planted, and don’t be surprised if I end up getting hearing aids in a few years. I did not look at any hearing aids nor get prices, because I didn’t let it go that far. After listening to what he had to say, I said I would think about it, and he thanked me and I went on my way. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/27 "2024-09-14T22:26:05Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > and don’t be surprised if I end up getting hearing ads in a few years. Oh, I’m sure you’ll be getting plenty of hearing ads in a few years! Especially if you’ve done an internet search! ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/28 "2024-09-14T22:26:44Z")
Thanks, corrected. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/29 "2024-09-14T22:29:16Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Thanks, corrected Dang, so much for my very mature joke… ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/30 "2024-09-14T22:33:35Z")
You should have waited 5 minutes to post, so I couldn’t correct. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/31 "2024-09-15T00:08:52Z")
Anyone here into Apple stuff? > The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday [approved](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery) Apple’s new “Hearing Aid Feature” which will amplify sounds for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment. The Apple feature, coming this fall via a free software update, will only work with AirPods Pro 2 ear buds and iOS 18-compatible iPhones or iPads. It is intended for adults 18 or older. > **[FDA approves some Apple AirPods to be used as hearing aids](https://www.npr.org/2024/09/14/nx-s1-5112400/fda-airpods-hearing-aids-software-update)** > > An upcoming Apple software update will allow some AirPods to double as over-the-counter hearing aids. Only 1 in 6 American adults with hearing loss wears hearing aids. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/32 "2024-09-15T15:29:08Z")
I’ve posted a couple times about my own hearing aid experience (wearer for about 8 years) and will add that first-time users might be shocked at how much hearing aids vary by manufacturer, model, and type. They vary as much as automobiles and trucks do. I’ve owned or tried at least nine different pairs of hearing aids and they all had very different sound qualities (about which I could write several pages, if I had the time), levels of comfort, and many other major and minor differences. If a friend asks me about hearing aids, I strongly recommend a couple different types and suggest trying several pairs for at least 14 days each. (You can return hearing aids for a refund within 30 or 60 days in most states.) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/33 "2025-02-08T13:55:53Z")
Adam Savage, of ‘MythBusters’ fame, does a cursory review of the AirPods-as-hearing-aids. In short? He loves them. He gushes over them. He’s an Apple fanboy _and_ he says they are _not_ as good as the Jabra hearing aids that are his EDC (Every Day Carry), but that – for a low-cost, few barriers to entry, very short learning curve solution – they’re incredible. He seems to say that – for **mild** hearing loss – try these first – maybe even before the Costco route. Twelve minute video … with a lot of digressions: > **[Adam Savage Tests the Apple AirPods Pro Hearing Aid!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uykq5aJCwBw%2F)** > > Adam talks about his experience with hearing loss, the revelation of affordable hearing aids you can buy at Costco, and the new hearing aid feature on Apple'... ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/34 "2025-02-08T16:05:56Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > He seems to say that – for **mild** hearing loss – try these first – maybe even before the Costco route. Costco also sells Air Pods. One thing about Air Pods as hearing aids? Their charge last only 4-5 hours so then they have to go back in the case to recharge, again for some hours. So their hearing help is on again off again. Hearing tests are free at Costco, by appt. Suggest your friend get tested and find out which hearing aid would work for them. Costco staff don’t work on commission so there won’t be any pressure and I bet they would give honest advice about air pods. My recommended hearing aid there was $1549, versus $5500 when I bought a similar pair 8 years ago at an audiologist’s. Same quality, bells and whistles, just $4000 cheaper, plus twice the warranty. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/35 "2025-02-08T16:36:57Z")
Good stuff. As to this: > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > One thing about Air Pods as hearing aids? Their charge last only 4-5 hours so then they have to go back in the case to recharge, again for some hours. So their hearing help is on again off again. At $169/pr … maybe having two pair would be a viable option for some: > **[Amazon.com: Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation,...](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Cancellation-Transparency-Personalized-High-Fidelity/dp/B0D1XD1ZV3)** > > Buy Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging: Earbud Headphones - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY... ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/36 "2025-02-08T16:40:13Z")
Do you have to be an Apple person and/or have other Apple devices to use those? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/37 "2025-02-08T16:52:08Z")
~~Yes~~ **ETA: Nope. @BippityBoppityBoo was right; I was wrong. See her post below.** Also, an ‘expert review:’ > **[Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aids Expert Review](https://www.hearadvisor.com/products/apple-airpods-pro-2)** > > The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a budget OTC hearing aid that fits in the ear and uses rechargeable batteries. It achieved a SoundGrade of B and sits in the top 50% of devices in the OTC category and in the bottom 40% of all devices tested. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/38 "2025-02-08T16:53:06Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Do you have to be an Apple person and/or have other Apple devices to use those No. > **[Pair AirPods with a non-Apple device](https://support.apple.com/guide/airpods/pair-airpods-with-a-non-apple-device-dev499c9718b/web)** > > Set up AirPods with an Android phone or other non-Apple device. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/39 "2025-02-08T17:17:50Z")
I suggest seeing an ENT who will look deeper than just a hearing test. I realize this thread was opened a while ago, and you may already have hearing aids but you may want to find out more about your hearing problem and its future impact on your hearing and general health. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847/40 "2025-02-23T15:17:57Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > > > Do you have to be an Apple person and/or have other Apple devices to use those > > No. > > [Pair AirPods with a non-Apple device - Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/airpods/pair-airpods-with-a-non-apple-device-dev499c9718b/web) FYI, while you _can_ pair Airpods with non-Apple devices, the hearing aid functionality requires an iPhone or iPad (at least for initial setup). Apple needs to run special software (which is only available on their devices) to test your hearing and create a personalized profile before any hearing aid functionality is enabled. (I have both an iPad and an Android phone, and the Android cannot do this on its own.) It’s not clear to me whether you can use the personalized profile on a different device _after_ the initial hearing test (i.e. whether you can do the setup on an iPhone/iPad and then carry it over for use on Android), but you definitely can’t _start_ the setup on an Android. * * * Also, I didn’t find this thread until I accidentally made a new Airpod-specific one, if anyone’s interested: [Has anyone tried Airpods as hearing aids yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-airpods-as-hearing-aids-yet/1014693) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847.md?page=3)