So What’s It Like Wearing Hearing Aids? Part 2
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
August 6, 2025 — Back in June I ordered a set of Philips hearing aids from Costco. In Part 1 of this series, “Hearing Aids Selection“, I discussed the various types of hearing aids, why I selected the Philips brand over Jabra, and the decision to buy at Costco. This is Part 2, which will cover what my experience has been like wearing the Philips Hearlink 9040 hearing aids that I chose (a Receiver in Canal model). Hopefully this will be useful to others who are experiencing hearing loss. See bottom for more articles on baby boomer “Rite of Passage” articles including Social Security and Medicare.
So how am i doing with my new hearing aids?
Overall, it has been a good experience. Not as perfect as I would like, but they have definitely improved the quality of my life.
It has been a positive experience mainly because I don’t have to lean forward and strain to listen to people when they are talking. The sound comes through and I am not missing out on the conversation, which i was starting to do before. The connection to my phone is great. I can not only adjust them from there, but I can use them to listen to music, podcasts, books, and phone calls, instead of wearing my airpods. While the fidelity of the sound from the hearing aids the sound isn’t quite as good as from the Airpods, it is more convenient. The phone rings, you answer, and you hear through the hearing aids.
The installation meeting and the scheduled followup session provided by the Costco hearing aid specialist were helpful. I got a good orientation on how to wear, adjust, and clean them (important because ear wax can build up and impede performance). To me the luxury of having the personalized service and followup was worth any extra money I might have saved by buying them online.
Comments on "So What’s It Like Wearing Hearing Aids? Part 2"
LS says:
I prefer rechargeable aids rather than replaceable battery ones. Mine have a case similar to the Phillips case in the picture above. The case stores enough juice to recharge the aids several times. I find this handy when travelling. I would also consider getting some insurance on the aids as they fail regularly or you may lose one. Also be aware that these have a lifetime of about 3 years depending on the type you get and the manufacturer. That's not necessarily a bad thing as the technology is constantly improving.
Admin says:
Here is an update on my experience 2 months after getting them. You get used to wearing them (I have to remember to take them when showering), and they are not uncomfortable. I definitely hear conversations, birds, and the radio better. My salesperson was right - wear them all the time and you won't notice them.