Hearing Aids buy in USA or buy in Thailand ?

[newarrior]

Gonna get my 1st pair soon--still live in USA but hope to move to Thailand ?Pros USA:  Costco has the best prices--and they will pretty much replace or repair damaged or missing devices for free.. Cons:  In Thailand my warrantee of course won't work....Pros Thailand: Cost probably higher but any sort of warrantees will be honored.

 

Would love to hear pros/cons of buying in the West vs Thailand and what your experiences have been in Thailand i.e. prices, repairs, service quality,  where to buy, where to fix, warrantee/replacement policy ?

 

Thanks !  Dave

[lopburi3]

Quote

Pros Thailand: Cost probably higher but any sort of warrantees will be honored

This must be your Thailand - in mine warranties (in general) are very hit and miss and often involve long waits for repairs that must be performed outside the country.  But can not speak to hearing aids specifically - but believe they are an imported product with low turnover and with little in country support.  Hope you get good response as this does not seem to be a common product here (or perhaps my poor hearing is causing me to miss something).  

[newarrior]

 I am still in the USA..In an ideal world I buy a pair in the states at Costco, buy a ton of batteries and hope I don't break or lose one or both when in Thailand.  And of course follow all advice regarding cleaning and self maintenence of the devices

[lopburi3]

Suspect that is your best option - check Ebay for batteries as shipment from China is often free and normally does not attract duty.

[Olik]

Better carry them with you from USA, but not tons, of course.

[Lefty]

I brought my hearing aids from Costco, got the rechargeable hearing aids so batteries no a major. I don't use them much-mostly for TV

Lefty

[newarrior]

Thanks everyone ! I am leaning towards getting a pair at Costco, hoping I don't lose either of them and then finding a good repair shop in Bangkok should any problems arise,.And of course practicing good care and cleaning of the aids

[lopburi3]

You are aware general hearing aids are available very cheaply on Ebay these days?   Many from Thailand at throw away prices.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xhearing+aids.TRS0&_nkw=hearing+aids&_sacat=0