Sam’s Club Hearing Aids Stacked Against Audicus
If you belong to a membership program, chances are it’s either Costco or Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club was founded by the owners of Walmart and falls just behind Costco in terms of yearly sales. For around $45 a year, you can purchase a yearly membership and access deals on wholesale goods, including hearing aids, available at Sam’s Club. Given that they sell everything from lawn chairs to televisions to bulk cereal, you might be asking yourself: should I consider purchasing my next pair of hearing aids from Sam’s Club?Take Quiz to Find Hearing Aid Match
In this article, we’ll walk you through the various points to consider.Purchasing Hearing Aids From Sam’s Club
If you are thinking about heading to Sam’s Club to make a hearing aid purchase, here are the steps to take:- Locate your closest Sam’s Club Hearing Aid Center (not all stores have these)
- Make an appointment
- Speak with their licensed hearing aid specialists about your needs
- Take their hearing screening with a basic ear exam
- Talk to a hearing specialist about your results
- Decide which hearing aid option is best for you
- Purchase
- Return to Sam’s Club for adjustments and service
Cost of Sam’s Club Hearing Aids
If you are still in the beginning stages of finding the right pair of hearing aids, you may be wondering about the cost. After all, this can be one of the most limiting (and scary!) parts of buying hearing aids. How do Sam’s Club’s prices stack up against competitors? *Note, these prices are per pair and are current estimates.Costco Prices:
$1,400 - $2,700, average: $1,800
- Also requires a yearly membership fee which is over double the cost of Sam’s Club at $120.
- Brands include Costco’s own Kirkland, Phonak, Phillips, and ReSound.
Online Retailer Prices:
$1,400 - $2,800, average $2,108
- The cost is highly dependent on the technology included, type of hearing aid, and brand.
- Online retailers such as Audicus offer the same high-quality hearing aids you can purchase from an Audiologist, but they cut out the middlemen and overhead fees to reduce costs to the consumer.
- You still get professional service for the lifetime of your hearing aids.
Sam’s Club Prices:
$2,300 - $3,850, average: $3,074
- Be sure to include $45 for a yearly membership to the club!
- Liberty is the only brand sold.
Audiologist or Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor Prices:
$4,000 - $8,000, average $5,000
- Remember that when you are going to an audiologist, you have to pay for their overhead costs like rent and utilities.
- Even if the product is the same, you will often get a marked-up cost. However, you will also get their expertise, experience, and education.
What Hearing Aid Products Does Sam’s Club Sell?
Sam’s Club partners with Liberty hearing aids and Lucid Technology, so you will find a more limited hearing aid selection than other brick-and-mortar or online retailers.Hearing Devices Sold at Sam's Club:
Liberty SIE 128 Channel Speaker-In-The-Ear Hearing Aid Powered by Lucid Technology
- Most expensive option
- Decreases sound distortion
- Connects to Bluetooth technology
- Adjustable settings for different environments (ex: going to the park, watching television, talking in a restaurant)
Liberty Clear Powered by Lucid Rechargeable Wireless Hearing Aid
- Cheapest option
- Behind-the-ear
- Rechargeable
- Automatically adjusts without you needing to change settings
- Connects to Bluetooth technology
- Reduces unwanted sounds like feedback, wind, or noisy environments
Accessories Sold at Sam's Club:
Batteries
- Offered in sizes 312, 13, 10 and 10A
Receiver Tube Replacements
- Allows you to swap out the component, allowing you to keep your hearing aids working longer
- Compatible with open-fit hearing aids
- Options for either left or right ear
- Options for different sized devices
Reviews for Sam’s Club Hearing Aids
Once you know how the price of Sam’s Club hearing aids compares to the competition, you may want to read up on reviews. Reviews can provide perspective on the performance and user experience of specific devices. Positive reviews may solidify your purchasing plan, and negative ones can give you insight into shortcomings to consider. According to Consumer Affairs, Sam’s Club hearing aids are ranked 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 136 separate ratings. Consumer Reports gives Sam’s Club an overall score of 79 out of 100. You can find specific models’ reviews on Sam’s Club’s website.Should You Buy Hearing Aids From Sam’s Club?
After all the reviews, comparisons, and research, it is time to decide if Sam’s Club is the right place for you to buy hearing aids.Advantages of Sam's Hearing Aids:
- Bluetooth technology: If you like connecting a smartphone to your hearing aids for easier use, Sam’s Club hearing aids have that option. Be sure to check that their hearing aids are compatible with your devices.
- Lots of freebies: Along with an affordable set price, Sam’s Club throws in free hearing tests, follow-ups, damage coverage, cleaning and adjustments, and returns within the warranty.
Disadvantages of Sam's Hearing Aids:
- One brand - Liberty is your only offering, with just 2 different options for models. That doesn’t leave you much room for customization.
- Less advanced technology - Some users comment about the noisiness of Liberty hearing aids. Negative reviewers point out that the technology included in the hearing aids may not be up to snuff for more advanced hearing loss.
- Variety in customer service - Your experience is completely dependent on the hearing aid specialists in your local Sam’s Club. You may luck out and have a wonderful representative, but that is not a guarantee since every club is different.
- In-person only appointments - If your hearing aids need servicing or adjustments, you will have to schedule another appointment at Sam’s Club. These appointments can be difficult to secure and are sometimes booked out for several weeks.
Audicus Hearing Aids Compared to Sam’s Club
Audicus is one of the most popular direct-to-consumer hearing aid brands. How do they rank against Sam’s Club?Advantages of Audicus Hearing Aids:
- Multiple hearing aid models - Since everyone’s hearing is unique to them, it is nice to have options when choosing the best hearing aid model for you.
- More affordable - A pair of Audicus hearing aids range from $998 per pair to $3,398 for the top-of-the-line model.
- Convenience - You can get professional hearing service without ever leaving home. Audicus offers a free and accurate online hearing test, as well as unlimited follow-up adjustments and video support, calls with licensed Hearing Instrument Specialists.
- Payment plans - Sam’s Club requires payment in full, while Audicus offers options like a monthly membership, Care Credit, and Allegro.
Disadvantages of Audicus Hearing Aids:
- Mostly online - If you prefer doing things in person, there may not be an Audicus clinic near you. Sam’s Club offers face-to-face interactions
- Different accessory options - While Audicus does offer accessories like ear tubes, retention guards, cleaning brushes, wax guards, and batteries, they do not offer receiver tubes. This means you may need to mail back your hearing aids for repair as opposed to fixing them yourself.
