Kirkland Signature 8.0 Premium Digital Hearing Instruments

Poor warranty service – They may appear to be good value, but if you live a distance from the store access to warranty is difficult. I just did a 300km round trip plus renewed my membership to access the warranty for a faulty aid that wasn't charging. I waited at the store while they claim to repair the device. I travelled home to find them exactly the same. When I contacted them again they said they would need to be sent away for repair. They refused to accept them via post offered no assistance for the extended travel. Also suggested I should buy hearing aids closer to home. Maybe good advise don't purchase Costco products unless you live next door.

I am high-tone deaf, Costco are supplying me with aids saving me around $2,000 – I've had hearing aids for a little over five years, from a well known Hearing Centre. They are now supplying me with a free set, of cheaper aids, which I will use as a back-up. The pair I purchased five years ago cost me around $3,800, equal to the current nx3. A couple of weeks ago I received an offer for a set of Kirkland Signature 8.0 Digital Hearing Instruments at $1,899.99 for the pair, which potentially would save me circa $2,000, over the nx3's which I considered from my previous supplier. I have, over the last two weeks, carried out quite extensive research, because I'm told different stories about Kirkland aids. It seems Kirkland Signature 8.0 Digital Hearing Instruments are manufactured by Rexton, in turn, manufactured by Sivantos, the same company that produces Signia hearing aids, carrying the nx3, nx5 and nx7 series. The nx7 is similar in most specifications to Kirkland, but is priced at Hearing Centres at around $6,000 per pair. Rexton have removed some minor attributes, from the Kirkland product, but I'm told these would not have a detrimental effect on performance. So, what have I saved, is it $2,000 or maybe it's as much as $5,100, as I also have had $1,150, paid by my Health fund, but I'd have had that, wherever the purchase occurred..? I'm extremely happy with being a member of Costco, so all you doubters, moaners and groaners who criticise Costco, take note. However, if you still have doubts, go shop at Aldi, where you can buy rubbish no-name brands and have to fill your own bags and put up with surly staff. I'll be making an up-date in a few weeks after the new aids have been well tested.

Crystal Clear – I am a first time user of hearing aids. My hearing loss is such that I find voices muffled and it is not easy to distinguish some words. I believe the Kirkland 8 hearing aids are rebadged Signia nx aids without some of the more advanced features including settings for tinnitus. Kirkland is a Costco brand only available from Costco and the hearing aids cannot be adjusted by a local audiologist, so you are tied into Costco and their $60 per year membership. The service at the dedicated audiology department in the Marsden branch is second to none. The whole team are very professional and caring. I believe correct fitting of the hearing aids is as important as the quality of the aids themselves. The audiologist was really helpful and prepared to spend as much time as was necessary to get things right.. The improvement to my hearing is far better than I had expected. In many cases I am able to hear conversations more clearly than others in my peer group with normal hearing. Bluetooth connection is the only feature that just does not work on a reliable basis and I have abandoned it. This is with an Android phone, Apple may be different. The lack of reliable Bluetooth connectivity does not affect the performance of the hearing aids and I am happy to live without it. Costco include fitting, servicing, 36 month warranty, 24 month loss or damage insurance and free domes in their $1900 price (Nov 2018). The Signia nx aids are regarded as a premium brand with a premium price. I am more than happy with the rebadged version. Update 14/06/2019 I have replaced my phone and now have no problem with Android Bluetooth connection (Motorola G7). The Kirkland 312 batteries last approximately 60 hours (without Bluetooth connected).