Is it possible to get rid of used hearing aids? Whether they were owned by a deceased family member or you decided to update your hearing aids to something fancier like a cochlear implant, the answer is the same: your used hearing aids should be donated versus throwing them away.
There are several organizations that acquire and circulate used hearing aids to individuals who could really use them, and there are many people who need them. Keep reading to discover how and why to donate pre-owned hearing aids.
Why It’s Important to Donate a Used Hearing Aid
First, here are a few significant statistics about hearing loss and hearing aids in the US:
- Approximately 14% of the total population, suffers from hearing loss
- 91% of adults who have loss of hearing are over the age of 50
- There is evidence of hearing loss in 15% of school aged children
- Almost 29 million adults with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, but…
- …only 16% (4.6 million) of them actually make use of hearing aids
- First time hearing aid users have an average age of 70, but again…
- Of those people over 70 who require hearing aids, less than 30% percent have ever had them
I think we should be worried. Because health problems like cognitive decline, increased risk of falling, and depression have been associated with untreated loss of hearing. The value of your hearing to your overall health is supported by new studies being released all of the time. Getting hearing aids can prevent these health problems (and in certain instances even reverse them).
And hearing loss will cost the average family up to $12,000 every year which should be an extremely compelling point. But that expense can actually be decreased by as much as 50% by using hearing aids.
For a family that loses out on $12,000 each year, it might simply not be possible for them to afford a hearing aid.
For an individual in need, who can’t afford a hearing aid, your used hearing aids can have a tremendous effect on their financial stability, quality of life, and overall health. It might also cost a child the ability to go to college and make their lives better because they are unable to hear in school.
How to Donate Your Used Hearing Aid
There are many volunteer groups and makers who help recycle old hearing aids. Come by and we can help you find a recycling strategy. Or you can just give us a call.