Hearing loss can quietly chip away at your confidence, your relationships, and even your independence. Everyday conversations start to feel exhausting and isolating. But, the traditional path to hearing support has been filled with hurdles and expenses that make it hard to get started. Not anymore! 

You can buy hearing aids online in just a few clicks at Audien Hearing, and get back to living life without limits. Avoid the long waits, high costs, and a maze of appointments with our affordable hearing aids, available in a range of styles to fit your needs and preferences.

But with audiologists on staff, we know hearing loss isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it’s imperative that you weigh your options and make an informed choice. We’re often asked how Audien compares to Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids, two popular but very different approaches. We’ll break it down!

Costco offers its members a range of hearing aids from trusted brands like Jabra, Philips, and more. You can visit a Costco Hearing Center near you for an in-person consultation and ongoing support, but it’s not cheap - devices start at $1,600.

Kaiser, on the other hand, provides medical-grade solutions through its own audiology clinics, often at higher costs but with highly customized care. This is a solid choice if you’re struggling with more severe levels of hearing loss that OTC devices are not designed for. .

One of these three brands is probably the right fit for you, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it once and for all. Learn more about Audien Hearing vs Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids!

The Audien Hearing Aid Lineup

Audien Hearing is transforming the hearing support experience by bringing devices to your door - saving you time, money, and inconvenience. It’s our mission to make hearing aids more accessible, and we’re proud to have helped more than a million customers so far.

Our devices are tailored to those suffering from mild-to-moderate hearing loss. They’re all FDA-registered and fall under one of two series: The Atom or Ion Series, which are in-ear vs behind-ear hearing aids.

The Atom Series is our most affordable starting at just $98 per pair, but offers plenty of functionality for those with limited hearing loss who are trying to keep things simple. They sit inside the ear canal for a discreet, comfortable fit - sort of like your favorite pair of earbuds.

The Ion Series is more powerful for deeper hearing troubles and sits behind the ear. You get more hearing modes (anywhere from 4-6 depending on the device), and features like Bluetooth, streaming, background noise cancellation, and a portable charging case. These start at $489.

All Audien devices ship directly to the customer, no appointment or hearing test required, and come with a 45-day risk-free trial and lifetime support. Whether you’re looking for the best hearing aids under $200 or the best hearing aid under $100, take a look at what we have to offer!

We always encourage yearly hearing tests if you have access, and recommend seeking medical attention for any concerns. But many people either don’t have access to an audiologist or simply want a straightforward solution for their perceived mild to moderate hearing loss—without navigating insurance, referrals, or the healthcare system. They want to try something at home, see if it helps, and often find that such a simple step can make a meaningful difference in their daily life.

How Does Costco’s Hearing Center Work?

Costco operates dedicated Hearing Aid Centers in many of its warehouse locations for a more traditional, in-person experience. This approach may be inconvenient to some, but it’s necessary for others, particularly those who have tried OTC devices and found them ineffective.

Services begin with a free hearing evaluation conducted by a licensed hearing aid specialist. Please note that a licensed hearing aid specialist does not have the same expertise and education as a licensed Audiologist. After testing, customers can choose from a selection of hearing aids from established brands like Rexton, Jabra, and Philips. 

You’re getting a tried-and-true device no matter which you go with. Features include rechargeability, Bluetooth streaming, and directional microphones at a price that is generally lower than private clinics - but certainly not “affordable.” Expect to pay $1,599-$3,000+.

Costco customers benefit from in-person fittings, follow-up visits, cleanings, and adjustments included in the purchase price. A 180-day return policy is also standard. 

But you obviously need to have a Costco membership to take advantage of this service, and you need to be willing to invest the time into making an appointment and going through the traditional hearing aid experience. The cost can be a barrier for many, too. 

What Hearing Aids Does Kaiser Have to Offer?

Kaiser Permanente offers a full-service, medically supervised hearing care program at their audiology and hearing centers. It’s a pretty similar experience to what you’d get through Costco, but with much more medical backing - and as you can imagine, it’s a bit more expensive, too.

Services start with a comprehensive hearing evaluation performed by an audiologist or hearing care provider, and results are used to select the best hearing aid for the individual’s needs. You’ll place your order, and then be scheduled for a hearing aid orientation appointment roughly 2-3 weeks later. This is frustrating for people who just want to hear better now.

Kaiser provides high-quality devices from major manufacturers such as Phonak, Oticon, and Signia, so you can choose between BTE and RIC styles. However, there are also custom-molded in-the-ear (ITE) models available for an added price. 

You won’t pay quite as much as you would at an independent hearing clinic. But you will spend a lot more than you would here at Audien, likely somewhere between $850-$2,400 per device. That’s 25-40% less, but still not exactly economical for those who see cost as a barrier to entry.

Don’t get us wrong, Kaiser’s program has its place - especially for those who are already members and want the reassurance that comes with this level of medical oversight. You can potentially offset some of the cost through your insurance plan. 

That said, someone struggling with mild-to-moderate hearing loss may not need this much support or such advanced technology. You’re paying for functionality and features you don’t really need. So, let’s take a closer look at Audien vs Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids below to help you narrow it down. 

Audien Hearing vs Costco vs Kaiser Hearing Aids: Picking the Right Hearing Support for Your Lifestyle

The best way to figure out whether the hearing aids Costco vs Kaiser have to offer or Audien devices are right for you is to talk it over with our experts one-on-one. Get in touch today for personalized support and a tailored recommendation.

That said, we’ll cover the details that matter most when choosing between Audien vs Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids below - starting with what many see as the biggest roadblock to getting hearing support, cost. 

Affordability

Kaiser and Costco both deliver significant savings compared to independent audiology clinics, which can easily cost between $3,000-$10,000. But neither of these is necessarily “affordable.”

You can expect to pay around $850-$2,400 per device at Kaiser (or $1,700-$4,800 per pair), depending on the level of technology and customization you need. Remember, though, some of this could be covered by the plan if you’re a Kaiser member. Have a conversation with your rep.

Costco is a bit more affordable than Kaiser, but barely. Devices start at $1,599 per pair, but can easily exceed $3,000 if you want a more sophisticated solution. Costco does let you use HSA/FSA funds in some cases to make the purchase more accessible. 

But this is by far the biggest difference in comparing the hearing aids Costco vs Kaiser offer to ours at Audien. Our devices start at $98 per pair and even our most advanced hearing aids are only $698. 

This isn’t because our devices are any less functional for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. While our hearing aids are OTC and prescription devices offer more advanced sound processing, many people with mild hearing loss don’t feel they need that level of sophistication for their everyday needs. We are able to pass on massive savings to you, the customer, since we don’t have to operate a physical location, offer in-person hearing tests/consultations, etc. The best affordable hearing aids are just a few clicks away.

Level of Hearing Loss 

Even if you wanted to go with one of our more economical devices at Audien Hearing, it’s important to first consider your level of hearing loss. Our devices are intended for mild-to-moderate hearing loss only. 

That’s great if you’re just beginning to have trouble following conversations, especially in noisy environments. But you’ll probably want to narrow it down between Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids if your hearing loss is more severe.

For what it’s worth Kaiser and Costco both cater to those with mild hearing loss, too - but the cost and support is overkill for most people with this level of hearing loss. The real value is for those with serious hearing loss, or a more complex hearing profile. 

Unique Features 

Kaiser and Costco both offer premium hearing aid features such as Bluetooth streaming, directional microphones, advanced noise suppression, and rechargeable batteries. 

Where Kaiser has an edge is in its custom-molded solutions and tinnitus management features from brands like Phonak and Oticon. Again, though, you’re paying a premium to unlock this prescription technology - so ask yourself (or a healthcare provider) whether you really need it or not. 

We pack plenty of features into an economical price point here at Audien Hearing. You get what matters most: crystal-clear amplification, comfortable fit, and discretion. But there are some pretty exciting features in certain Audien devices, too. 

Depending on the model, you could get up to 6 unique hearing modes, Bluetooth/streaming, background noise cancellation, app-connectivity, and rechargeable cases with battery life up to 48 hours. Plus, our Ion Pro model has custom hearing profiles to tailor the sound to your unique hearing needs. 

The Purchasing Process

This is another aspect in which Audien sets itself apart from Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids. You can buy the best OTC hearing aids right now and have them delivered to your doorstep within days. No in-person visit, hearing tests, or complicated hoops to jump through.

Even setup is a breeze. Our hearing aids don’t require professional programming or fittings. You can start wearing your device right out of the box and adjust it as you see fit. 

On the other hand, Kaiser and Costco both require you to visit their facilities in person after scheduling a consultation. You’ll go through a hearing test and then get a device, which you may need to schedule a programming visit for in order to truly maximize. 

Be clear - this isn’t a drawback for the right individual who is struggling with severe hearing loss and has tried the OTC route to no avail. But for those who want to get started hearing better today, it’s hard to beat the convenience of Audien Hearing!

Ongoing Care and Support

You can rest assured you’ll never be left hanging whether you go with the hearing aids Costco vs Kaiser vs Audien Hearing have to offer. You get lifetime support across the board. How that support is delivered is another story, though.

Kaiser offers the most robust in-person aftercare, with unlimited follow-ups and adjustments built into the price. Costco also includes in-store maintenance and adjustments for the life of the device. In both cases, you’ll have to make an appointment and head to the facility. 

We take a different approach here at Audien Hearing, with lifetime support available over the phone or through email. Our team works quickly to help address rare issues that may pop up with your device, and we also offer a 45-day risk-free trial period!

Which is Right For You?

We cannot say which is the best choice for you between Audien Hearing vs Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids without knowing more about your specific situation, as hearing loss is very personal. 

What we can say is this: Audien Hearing is the best choice for most people dealing with minor to moderate hearing loss, whereas Costco and Kaiser make more sense for severe hearing loss or when you’ve tried OTCs and haven’t found them satisfactory. 

You can learn more about how we stack up to the rest of your options in our blog, as we’re passionate about helping people hear better - whether that’s with us or a competitor. Read about Audien vs MD hearing aid, Audien vs Jabra hearing aids, or Nano vs Audien hearing aids.

But across all these options, including Oracle hearing aids vs Bossa hearing aids, you’ll find that our solution is hard to beat when it’s mild-to-moderate hearing loss holding you back from living life to the fullest. Get in touch today to learn more and take the next step!

“First, Audien's customer service is outstanding! Second, I love my new IONs. I wear them all day and forget they are even there. They’re comfortable, with no feedback squeals. I am hearing sounds I haven't heard in a long time. But most importantly, I'm not having to continually say "what?" or "huh?" all the time.” - Thomas

“They're great! They work well and are easy to use. I would recommend the Atom Pro 2 to anyone who has moderate hearing loss. I ordered these on line and they came in about week later.” - Ken

“The customer service (Ben) was very helpful and professional. He listened carefully and helped me upgrade to the ion. I can honestly say I am hearing better than I was with expensive hearing aids purchased through my doctor. I’m glad l decided to try OTC aids and am very impressed with your product. I did try others but found they were not even close to Audien.” - Ann

Final Words on the Hearing Aids Costco vs Kaiser Have to Offer

That does it for our Audien Hearing vs Costco vs Kaiser hearing aids comparison. The key takeaway is that hearing support isn’t one-size-fits-all, and we do encourage you to connect with our experts today (or your own hearing healthcare professionals) so you  can figure out if our devices can help you!

But while Costco and Kaiser offer traditional, prescription, full-service clinic models, Audien gives you an affordable, convenient way to hear better without the hassle. It’s hard to not be excited about that! 

Our discreet, FDA-registered devices deliver clear sound and lasting comfort at a fraction of the cost for mild to moderate hearing loss. Join over a million happy customers and hear the difference firsthand today!