Oak Bay Hearing Clinic

Oak Bay Hearing is fantastic! Lewis really listens to what you say, and is always willing to make adjustments. So glad I went to this clinic!

Posted for Charles Harp: I just purchased my 3rd set of hearing aids over 10 years. My 2nd set was from Costco, a popular provider for budget conscious hearing aid customers. Nearing the end of my 3 year warranty, I made an appointment at Costco to be tested and have the aids serviced. I asked the audiologist if there had been any significant technical advances that I might benefit from. She told me in that particular price range, my aids could not be improved upon. I settled with that answer and committed to carry on with my status quo.

Soon after however I noticed a promotion from Oak Bay Hearing Clinic in the pile of advertising fliers that regularly show up in the mail and as newspaper inserts. Anyone with hearing loss knows we are targets for endless solicitations. Since this promotion offered a free trial of a new technology, and since my warranty was expiring, I figured I had nothing to lose.

I made an appointment, had yet another hearing test, and was fitted with new aids. I was stopped in my tracks. These new aids were far superior to mine. I could hear better. My voice sounded more natural to myself. There was more clarity in others voices and less all-around distortion. Loud noises were less disturbing. The fit is more comfortable. They came with a 5 year warranty and 5 year supply of batteries. They included a TV streaming device and iPhone app and easier to operate remote control. There was a 1 month trial prior to payment and an additional 2 month return policy. All good.

BUT THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN COSTCO. I had to undertake an inner cost/benefit analysis. In fairness, if I had requested more expensive hearing aids at Costco, a comparable product may have been available. There are many and varied opinions about Costco hearing aid clinics and products. We all have our subjective experiences.

I felt prompted to more deeply ponder values ---how I splurge here and skimp there, always attempting to steer in a prudent and responsible manner. I also had to weigh and balance various considerations, including the inconvenience to me of Costco appointments, having a more personal connection with a provider than Costco offered, and the desire to support a "buy local" ethos.

As I age, I directly experience how tempting it is to withdraw from challenging hearing circumstances which regularly appear in an increasingly noisy world. The one and only work-around is my hearing aids. They are the essential solution to my daily conundrum. In my personal equation, sacrificing values and quality for price just didn't add up.

I decided to bite the bullet and pay the piper. Adios Costco. Hello, Dr. Erin Wright at Oak Bay Hearing Clinic. There I have been provided professionalism, courtesy and a caring, reassuring presence at every step.

I write this with gratitude for my life being improved by hearing aid providers. Thank you, Costco, for being there then. And a big bravo to Oak Bay Hearing Clinic for being here now. To my fellow hearing aid users who might be, as I was, "penny wise and pound foolish", buy the best hearing aids you can manage to afford. I'm well satisfied my hearing aid money is being well spent and I highly recommend Oak Bay Hearing Clinic.

A fantastic experience. Thank you Erin for your professionalism and your friendliness. This hearing aid is already making a dramatic positive difference in my life. I am also learning about listening strategies to enhance the experience. I think stress is also relieved, a lot. The build up of stress may have been gradual as my hearing deteriorated, but it probably reached a high enough level that it was affecting my health. I sense I am on a hearing/healing path. Thank your Erin.

I have been very happy with the care I have received from Erin and her colleagues. She spelled out all of the options, and, with her help, I ended up with exactly what I needed. Follow-up care is great too.

I bought aids here several months ago. Dr. Wright has been great and I love the hearing aids. They have even helped with my tinitus! They come with a 3 year guarantee which is great when you go swimming with them as I have done. Several times.

Costco might do aids more cheaply, but you would never get this level of care.