Upgrading to new hearing aids brings excitement and advances in your hearing experience. But getting new hearing aids may lead to a common question: “What do I do with my old hearing aids?”
Whether your devices are outdated, no longer the best fit for your current needs, or simply worn out, older hearing aids may still hold value and potential for use. Before tossing them aside, consider the multitude of options available. From recycling and donating to finding creative ways to repurpose these sophisticated pieces of technology, there’s much more you can do than you might think.
This guide explores the thoughtful actions you can take to ensure your hearing aids continue to make an impact even after they’ve served their time with you. Discover how you can contribute positively to both the environment and the community by giving your old hearing aids a new lease on life.
Donate Your Old Hearing Aids to Make a Difference
If you’re asking yourself, “Can I throw my old hearing aids away?” consider recycling or donating them to a good cause. Donating your old hearing aids is a simple yet impactful way to help others with hearing difficulties. Across the country, there are people who need these devices but need help accessing them. Donation programs work tirelessly to ensure that individuals facing financial barriers have access to the hearing aids they desperately need. By donating your used hearing aids, you’re participating in a meaningful effort to ensure everyone has the opportunity to hear clearly.
It’s easy to give your old hearings a new beginning. Hearing centers and donation organizations refurbish used devices and match them with individuals who can benefit from hearing aids but cannot afford new ones. Your act of kindness has the power to significantly improve someone’s quality of life by supporting their communication and connection with others.
Join in on the mission of making hearing health accessible to everyone. Explore the many ways you can donate your hearing aids below:
A Gift to a Friend or Loved One
Consider passing on your old hearing aids to a friend or family member in need. This simple act comes full of care, allowing a loved one to experience improved hearing with just a simple adjustment by a professional. Giving in this manner is a straightforward way to extend the life of your hearing devices and deeply impact someone close to you.
The Hearing Aid Project
The Hearing Aid Project is a shining example of how your old hearing aids can serve a noble purpose. Created by the Hearing Charities of America, The Hearing Aid Project is designed to meet the rising need for hearing aids among low-income individuals.
The organization accepts any hearing aid donation regardless of the device’s brand or age. If your hearing aid can be repurposed, they will refurbish the device and redistribute it to someone in need. Much older devices are sent back to the manufacturer for credits used to pay for and distribute new or remanufactured hearing aids to individuals with financial limits.
With collection centers widely available – including local Lions Club locations – donating is easy. This program ensures your old hearing aids find new life in helping others hear the world around them. Every donation is tax-deductible.
Help America Hear Program
The Help America Hear Program is committed to offering hearing aids to those who struggle to obtain them independently. Through an application process, eligible individuals with limited financial resources can receive the help they need. This amazing initiative also includes a scholarship for high school seniors with hearing loss, providing them with a financial award and the latest hearing aids as they embark on their college journey.
Colleges & Universities
Another fantastic option is donating your old hearing aids to local universities or colleges with audiology and hearing aid specialist programs. These institutions often accept used hearing aids for student training and research purposes. Your donation supports the education of future audiologists and contributes to advancements in hearing care.
Your Local School for the Deaf
Consider donating your old hearing aids to a nearby School for the Deaf. These schools cherish such contributions, as they provide essential tools for students’ learning and communication enhancement. Your donation will directly support deaf and hard-of-hearing students, offering them improved access to education and a richer learning experience.
Hearing the Call
Hearing the Call is an outstanding non-profit organization offering aid to those with hearing loss both locally and globally. By supporting this group, your old hearing aids can bring hope and care to people in need. Audiology partners worldwide refurbish these donations, helping to fit individuals with improved hearing aids on mission trips or within their communities. Contributions are tax-deductible, making your support beneficial all around.
Additional Options for Hearing Aids You No Longer Need
Sometimes, upgrading with new hearing aid replacements doesn’t mean saying goodbye to your old devices. Many hearing care practitioners offer exchange programs where your old hearing aids can be traded for a discount on new technology. If you’re going hearing aid shopping, this option may ease the transition to newer models while being kind to your wallet. Contact your hearing healthcare provider to see if this option is available to you.
Keeping your old hearing aids as spares can also be a practical choice. They can come in handy during emergencies or while your primary pair is under maintenance. Encountering unexpected situations won’t leave you without support, ensuring you always have the ability to hear clearly.
Exploring these options for your old hearing aids amplifies the spirit of giving and strengthens the community’s collective effort to support hearing health for all. Your thoughtful decision to repurpose, donate, or recycle your hearing devices can have a profound impact on creating a more inclusive and hearing-friendly world.
