How can you get rid of used hearing aids? The answer is always the same whether you decide to upgrade to a more advanced model like cochlear implants or you got them from a deceased family member: your pre-owned hearing aids need to be donated versus getting rid of.
There are a lot of people suffering from loss of hearing who could use a donated hearing aid, and a number of organizations out there that acquire and distribute those hearing aids to the people in need. Read on to discover why it’s important to donate your pre-owned hearing aid and find out how you can do it.
Why It’s Worthwhile to Contribute a Pre-owned Hearing Aid
First, here are a few important stats about hearing loss and hearing aids in the US:
- Around 14% of the total population, has hearing loss
- Of all of the adults suffering from loss of hearing 91% percent are over the age of 50
- There is evidence of loss of hearing in 15% of school aged children
- Almost 29 million adults with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, but…
- …hearing aids are actually utilized by only 16% (4.6 million) of them
- First time hearing aid users have an average age of 70, but again…
- Of those over 70 who need hearing aids, fewer than 30% percent have ever used them
I think we should be worried. Because health problems like mental decline, increased risk of falling, and depression have been connected to untreated hearing loss. The relevance of your hearing to your overall health is backed up by new research being released regularly. Getting hearing aids can lessen these health problems (and in some instances even reverse them).
And the last compelling fact is that hearing loss can cost the typical family $12,000 in earnings each year. But that cost can actually be reduced by up to 50% by using hearing aids.
It may not be possible for families who lose $12,000 a year to afford hearing aids.
For an individual in need, who can’t afford a hearing aid, your old hearing aids can have a huge effect on their financial well being, quality of life, and overall health. It may also cost a child the ability to get into college and better their lives because they can’t hear in school.
Donating Your Used Hearing Aids
There are many volunteer groups and manufacturers who help recycle old hearing aids. Stop by and we can help you find a recycling program. Or you can simply give us a call.
