Can Hearing Aids be Reused?

Whether you’ve been experiencing hearing loss for a long time or you’re new to the world of hearing aids, it’s likely you’ll always have questions to ask about what can and can’t be done, or hearing aid best practices. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place!

Hearing Aids 101

So, you’ve already owned hearing aids and you think you can skip past this section? Think again. There’s always more to learn about hearing aids, as technology is always advancing and adapting, and it can be great to cover the basics to make sure you’re using your hearing aid properly.

The first thing you need to know is that your audiologist will help you to find the perfect hearing aid for your needs. There are so many styles to choose from: in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids to behind-the-ear (BTE) or an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids. An audiologist will test your hearing, make a recommendation for a hearing aid and then will work with you to fit and finely tune to hearing aid to your specific needs

And the final thing you need to know is that if you ever have any questions about your hearing aid, your first port of call should be your audiologist. They will know you and your hearing needs best, so, if you’re concerned about something, give them a call.

So, Can You Reuse a Hearing Aid?

Hearing aids are carefully tuned, highly advanced pieces of technology that are tailored specifically for the user by an audiologist. They are filled with intricate pieces that come together to give the user better hearing. This means that they are actually designed to fit the inside of someone’s inner ear and programmed to the right level of sound. As a result, using someone else’s hearing aid won’t give you the results you’re looking for.

If you purchase a hearing aid that has been used by someone else, it will therefore need to be reprogrammed to suit your ear and hearing loss. Recycled hearing aids can be reused, but to do so they have to be re-cased. This is a complicated process in which it’s re-molded to the new user’s ear.

A used hearing aid would also need to be reprogrammed to suit the new user. This isn’t a quick or easy process and would need a skilled professional to make sure that it fits the new user’s needs and requirements.

Additionally, thanks to frequent advances in technology, many older models will use technology that is incredibly outdated. Think back to the mobile phone you had ten years ago – would you buy that now? Probably not. The same goes for hearing aids.

Why Do People Buy Reused Hearing Aids?

As you’ve seen, hearing aids are advanced pieces of tech. They contain huge amounts of innovations in very small casings. As a result, their prices can vary based on your needs and the features and style you select. So, to cut costs, it can be tempting to purchase a second-hand hearing aid for less money.

However, before you do that, it’s important to consider the secondary costs that you’d incur to make sure this hearing aid works for you. It must also be noted that many audiologists will warn you off reusing a hearing aid completely!

How to Care for the Hearing Aid You Already Have?

To keep your existing hearing aid working well, follow these simple steps:

• Be careful when handling your hearing aid
• When you’re not wearing your device, store it somewhere that is safe, dry and cool. This will stop it from being damaged by being knocked onto the floor or dropped. If you place it on a light-colored cloth then you’ll be able to spot small parts easier.
• Take out your hearing aid when swimming or showering.
• Hearing aids are water-resistant, but it’s best not to test them! It’s good practice to also remove them when you’re in a sauna or steam room.
• Charge the batteries often
• Clean it delicately and often

Hopefully, this guide has answered your question as to whether you can reuse a hearing aid and has helped you to care for your own hearing aid, so you don’t need to replace it quickly! If you want to learn more about Sommerville Audiology & Hearing Aid Center contact us today at 586-298-3788.