I suspect there was a miscommunication. This is especially likely if you are getting a 2nd hand summary of the experience from someone who has severe hearing loss. Hearing aids are not the best option for many who are “severely deaf.” It’s also possible to pass a hearing test, while still struggling with conversation. One of the reasons for the hearing test is to identify whether your hearing loss is the type that would be best improved by hearing aids, or whether there are other options to review first. They should give you or let you see the audiogram, which shows at what dB you can identify the sounds at each tested frequency, rather than just saying can/can’t help you. You can confirm results with other sources, including more traditional doctors.
Non-members can talk about the hearing aid options with the Costco specialists and get a hearing test. Many would also let non-members wear one and walk around the store with it on. However, you need to be a member to purchase a Costco hearing aid.
@Data10 not true. My friend has Costco hearing aids and she has definitely not ever been a member.
While I didn’t find anything explicit on Costco’s website about what types of hearing services non-members can access, there are comments on many other websites, such as https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-shop-at-costco-without-a-membership-2017-3#take-advantage-of-health-services-5
Note that they mention you can use a Costco Cash Card rather than a membership. You can also be one of the add on members, rather than the person who purchased the Costco membership. My personal experience, was that they asked for my membership card when I purchased the hearing aid.
Costco’s hearing aid batteries are WAY cheaper than any other store I’ve seen. I wish I’d realized that when my dad was still alive. He spent a fortune on batteries at supermarkets and drug stores.
What you can buy without a membership card can vary by state law too. Many states require the pharmacy to be open to the public without a membership. This has to do with the pharmacy licensing. The eye doctors who work at Costcos are independent, so you can make an appointment, but the glasses are sold through Costco so you need a membership.
But…last month there was a Costco special on groupon (I think) and for the $60 membership fee you got at least $60 back in products and discounts (laundry detergent, meat,)
Groupon or similar offers a Costco membership deal each year or so. I purchased the Groupon Costco membership last month. The special Groupon benefits were when purchasing a $60 membership you get:
$20 Costco Cash
$20 worth of Kirkland Paper Towels
$20 worth of Kirkland Detergent
$10 worth of a Single Fresh Meat Item
$25 off $250+ Costco Online Purchase
I doubt that I will make any $250+ purchases through Costco Online, within the February expiration, so that is useless to me. The fresh meat is limited to a single item. The only meat item I regularly purchase is $5 rotisserie chicken, making my personal value maybe $6. My personal value on the paper towels is full price. I was actually planning to get that item, regardless of coupon. My personal value on the laundry is also near full price, as I tend to buy whatever detergent is on sale, rather than stick to a particular brand. So I’d estimate my personal value on the Groupon benefits to be slightly over $60, fully negating the cost of the membership.