Is it possible to recycle used hearing aids? Whether they were owned by a passed family member or you chose to upgrade your hearing aids to something fancier such as a cochlear implant, the answer is the same: your pre-owned hearing aids should be donated rather than getting rid of.
There are several organizations that acquire and distribute used hearing aids to individuals who need them, and there are many people who need them. Keep reading to discover how and why to donate used hearing aids.
Why You Should Consider Donating Your Pre-Owned Hearing Aids
First, here are a few important stats about loss of hearing and hearing aids in the United States:
- Of the total population, about 14% suffer from some kind of hearing loss
- Of all of the adults suffering from hearing loss 91% percent are above 50 years old
- 15% of school-age children suffer from some type of hearing loss
- Hearing aids would help almost 29 million adults with loss of hearing, but…
- …only 16% (4.6 million) of them actually utilize hearing aids
- First time hearing aid users have an average age of 70, but again…
- Less than 30% of people over 70 who need hearing aids have ever had them
I think we should be concerned. Because health problems like cognitive decline, greater risk of falling, and depression have been associated with untreated hearing loss. In fact, new research comes out on a regular basis showing how important hearing is to your overall health. Getting hearing aids can lessen these health problems (and in some situations even reverse them).
And hearing loss will cost the average family up to $12,000 every year which should be a very compelling point. But hearing aids can actually mitigate that cost by as much as 50%.
It may not be feasible for families who lose $12,000 a year to afford to buy hearing aids.
Your pre-owned hearing aid can make an enormous impact, in the health, quality of life and financial stability, for a person in need who couldn’t normally afford a hearing aid. It might also cost a child the ability to go to college and better their lives because they can’t hear in school.
How to Donate Your Used Hearing Aid
There are lots of volunteer groups and makers who help recycle old hearing aids. Come and talk with us so we can advise you on the correct recycling choice for you. Or you can simply give us a call.