We Buy Used Hearing Aids

Knowing the type of hearing aid you need will help narrow down the steps necessary for purchasing used or refurbished hearing devices. The following aspects will determine if you can benefit from used hearing aids:

we buy used hearing aids

Re-casing the unit would include having a hearing healthcare expert take an earmold imprint of your ear and shipping the hearing aid along with the earmold impression to the hearing aid manufacturer to be re-cased. Once the device is returned from the manufacturer, your hearing healthcare expert will need to reconfigure the hearing aid to the prescription of your hearing loss after it has been re-cased.

Keep in mind that the cost of reprogramming and recalibration of a hearing aid can be relatively high. The hearing aid manufacturer, as well as the hearing healthcare practitioner, will charge for the re-casing and reprogramming. Purchasing a new hearing aid may be the most cost-effective alternative in this situation.

You won't need to re-case your used hearing aids if it's a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) model. Typically, a BTE model is a "one-size-fits-all" hearing aid type. However, the earmold, which attaches to the hearing aid, is not one-size-fits-all and must be purchased separately to use the hearing aid.

A hearing healthcare practitioner can order an earmold after obtaining an earmold impression. Similar to ITE models, a hearing healthcare expert will need to adjust the hearing aid to your hearing loss prescription after the earmold is complete.

While buying a new earmold is typically less expensive than having to recase a hearing aid, you will still have to pay for the used hearing aid to be reprogrammed to match your hearing needs. A second hand Behind-The-Ear hearing aid may only save you a small amount of money.

Before deciding on a pair of used hearing aids, you first need to find out how old they are because the technology is considered obsolete if they are more than five years old. While a hearing healthcare expert will need to reprogram the hearing aid, the programming restrictions of an older hearing aid may make it inadequate for your prescription.

A "fitting range" is the range of hearing loss that a hearing aid can tolerate with programming. In specific cases, an audiologist cannot reprogram used hearing aids to match your hearing needs if your hearing loss is outside the fitting range of the device you're using. This factor needs to be accounted for when contemplating the usage of used hearing aids. Your hearing healthcare expert should be able to inform you if the hearing aid you're using is appropriate for your condition.

Getting a medical assessment is the first step in purchasing any hearing aid. A doctor, such as an otolaryngologist, generally performs these procedures. Before you are sent to an audiologist or other hearing healthcare expert for a hearing aid examination, a medical evaluation is performed to ensure that all possible treatable medical causes for your hearing loss are recognized. The doctor who performed the medical assessment will provide you with a statement stating that you have completed the medical evaluation.

You do it at your own risk if you ignore the advice to seek a medical examination before acquiring a used hearing aid. Furthermore, a hearing healthcare specialist should assess your needs for an aid and assist you in determining which device is ideal for you.

At a minimum, if you choose to buy a secondhand hearing aid, you should have the earmolds professionally changed and/or disinfected by a professional hearing aid clinic, as they may contain bacteria from the prior owner. Used hearing aids must also be correctly programmed and installed by a hearing aid specialist.

If a person refuses to get a medical assessment for religious or personal reasons, federal laws indicate that they can have a hearing aid if they sign a waiver. Even though this option is accessible, the rule explicitly indicates that it is not in the best interests of the individual's health, and it is strongly discouraged.

Millions of people have hearing loss across America and may benefit from donated or used hearing aids. To help those in need, numerous organizations have been established to collect and distribute used hearing devices.

While hearing loss is commonly associated with the elderly, the diversity and demographic of people that can benefit from hearing aids is staggering. Here are some figures that may shed light on the usefulness of used hearing aids:

These figures are exceptionally concerning because undiagnosed hearing loss has been linked to health concerns such as cognitive deterioration, a higher risk of falling, and depression. In fact, studies are regularly published and continually demonstrate the importance of hearing to your overall health.

Many people leave their hearing issues untreated due to financial constraints. Your used hearing aids can make a huge difference in someone's financial well-being, quality of life, and health if they can't afford a new pair of hearing aids.

A commonly asked question about hearing aids is whether they can be reused by someone else. There are really two main things to consider about used hearing aids: the physical fit and the technology available with the device.

BTE hearing aids are one size fits all that sit behind the ear. They are coupled to the ear via custom earmolds or standard ear domes. While someone else's custom earmolds cannot be re-worn, the hearing aids themselves may be reused by someone else, provided the device is reprogrammed by a practitioner to fit the second person's hearing needs.

The new wearer would simply need to pair the hearing aids with new custom earmolds or ear tips. Therefore, BTE hearing aids are more likely to be reusable, depending on the technology built into the hearing aids.

Everyone's hearing loss is unique. Hearing aids are carefully programmed and fitted to correctly amplify the specific frequencies a person struggles to hear. You will need to find a hearing care provider willing to reprogam your hearing aids based on your audiogram results.

The latest hearing aids come with advanced technology like deep learning/artificial intelligence and Bluetooth. These are quite handy, especially if you use apps on your smartphone or like to stream music. You are less likely to find these features in older, used hearing aids.

Yes, refurbished hearing aids are legal to buy and sell, although you must follow the rules stipulated by federal and state laws. This can get complicated. At a minimum, the hearing aids must come with packaging that clearly indicates they are being resold. Be cautious and do your research before embarking on selling your hearing aids.

As they point out, you can also keep your old hearing aids as backup. "This is not a bad idea, in the same way that keeping your old pair of glasses as a backup is a good idea when you get a new pair," they explain on their page.

The first step to determining if a used hearing aid will work for you is to see if they are appropriate for your type of hearing loss. Contact a hearing care professional near you for a complete hearing evaluation. Be sure to bring the hearing aids to the appointment. After quantifying your hearing ability, the practitioner will run electro-acoustic tests to determine the amplification and programming capability of the hearing aids to determine if they might be appropriate for your hearing loss.

The second step is to have the hearing aids fully inspected and tested by the hearing care professional to ensure they are still in good working order. If there are concerns, they might need to be sent to the manufacturer for reconditioning or repair. After the hearing aids are approved for your use, find out whether they are covered under any existing manufacturer warranty. If they aren't, consider whether you might want to purchase an extended hearing aid warranty to cover any loss or damage.

Finally, once the hearing aids are determined to be ready for you to wear, the practitioner will need to program them specifically for your hearing ability. Like any other hearing aid fitting, this programming may require more than one session to fine-tune the hearing aids to your specific hearing, preferences and lifestyle needs.

Be prepared to pay for the services that you need to get your used hearing aid fitted for you. Although you may have received the hearing aids themselves for free, you should expect to pay the professional for a testing and/or fitting fee, as well as any fees for reconditioning or repair that may be needed.

For example, you can donate via the Hearing Aid Project by the Hearing Charities of America or, alternately, the Lions Clubs International Foundation collects hearing aids at its recycling centers, which are located around the community in public places like libraries or in audiologists' office. Some private practices such as the Texas Hearing Institute also accept used hearing aids and cochlear implants, which can be used as teaching tools or as temporary loaners.

We do not advise that you buy used hearing aids. Since hearing aids can be expensive, often $6,000 or more, it may be tempting to purchase a used pair. However, there are several problems with purchasing used hearing aids.

Having been in the hearing aid industry for over 25 years, Advanced Affordable Hearing is frequently asked if we buy or sell used hearing aids. While we do sell some refurbished products, these are lightly used and have been reconditioned to appear almost indistinguishable from new hearing aids.

In addition, you may have trouble finding an audiologist willing to work on your newly acquired device. Most hearing aid providers only work on devices they sell or that have a warranty through the manufacturer. The used hearing aid was programmed for the individual who originally purchased the device, and odds are that whoever had the hearing aid first did not have the exact same hearing loss as you.

Our suggestion is to always purchase a hearing aid you can afford. If you can't afford the price your audiologist is quoting you, don't buy it. Staying within your budget when buying hearing aids will prevent you from ending up in the position of having to sell them. 041b061a72