Hearing loss is one of the most common issues facing many, but affording hearing aids is an issue for some individuals. If you have gently used hearing aids, consider donating them to an organization that refurbishes or recycles them, giving others the gift of hearing.
If you have recently replaced your hearing aids with the latest model, or you have had a loved one who has recently passed away and wore hearing aids, you may be wondering, “What can I do with these used hearing aids?”
The answer, in many cases, is that hearing aids can be refurbished and recycled so that someone in need also can enjoy the gift of sound. Here is why you should consider donating your used hearing aids or a loved one’s instead of throwing them in the trash or placing them in a storage box or drawer where they will only gather dust.
Hearing Benefits and Beyond
Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues facing many. In fact, according to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders:
- One in eight people in the United States (13%, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older have hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.
- About 2% of adults aged 45 to 54 have disabling hearing loss. The rate increases to 8.5% for adults aged 55 to 64. Nearly 25% of those aged 65 to 74 have hearing loss; and 50% of those who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.
- About 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.
And yet, among adults aged 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids, fewer than one in three (30%) has ever used them. Even fewer adults aged 20 to 69 (approximately 16%) who could benefit from wearing hearing aids has ever used them.
In some cases, affordability is an issue for these individuals, but when you donate your hearing aids or a loved one’s, not only are you donating the gift of better hearing, but you also are potentially helping improve someone else’s cognitive health. That’s because hearing loss has recently been linked to cognitive decline, depression, fall risk and tinnitus. Just think of all these tiny devices have the power to do for someone else!
Below are several organizations you might consider donating gently used hearing aids to:
- The Hearing Aid Project is actually located in Kansas City, Missouri, and is a one-of-a-kind collaboration created by Hearing Charities of America (HCOA). This group takes used hearing aids or financial donations to assist low-income individuals in need of hearing aids.
- Hearing aids of any type, age, or condition are accepted and those that can be refurbished are given to recipients of the Hearing Aid Project. Hearing aids that cannot be reconditioned are used for repairs, meaning every donation can and will make a difference in the life of someone who needs it.
- You can donate your old hearing aids by completing the online donation form and shipping your hearing aids to:
Hearing Charities of America
720 Main Street, FL 1
Kansas City, MO 64105
- Give Hear offers a variety of hearing health services and has served thousands of patients in more than a decade. They also receive used hearing aids for refurbishment and give them to those in need.
- Sertoma’s mission is to improve the quality of life for those at risk or impacted by hearing loss through education and support. Contact a local Sertoma Club to see if they are currently accepting used hearing aids.
- Check with your local or state university to see if hearing aids could be used for educational or refurbishment programs.
Associated Audiologists also accepts donations of used hearing aids. The practice utilizes them based upon their age, function, and technology by providing pro-bono or low-cost options for patients referred to us through various local programs such as WyJo Care, Duchesne Clinic, Johnson County Health Partnership etc. We also can use them for parts or repair credits to help individuals who can’t afford typical repairs. Finally, in some cases they can be utilized as loaner devices for others when their hearing aids aren’t functioning and are sent for repairs. We also assist the Hearing Aid Project/Hearing Charities of America and Sertoma by offering our services when needed.
For more information about donating used hearing aids, visit the The Hearing Aid Project.
