Is it possible to recycle used hearing aids? The answer is always the same whether you decide to upgrade to a more sophisticated model like cochlear implants or you got them from a deceased family member: your pre-owned hearing aids need to be donated instead of getting rid of.
There are a lot of people dealing with loss of hearing who could use a donated hearing aid, and a number of organizations out there that acquire and circulate those hearing aids to the people in need. Read on to discover why it’s important to donate your pre-owned hearing aid and learn how you can do it.
Why It’s Important to Donate a Used Hearing Aid
First, here are a few significant statistics about loss of hearing and hearing aids in the United States:
- Of the total populace, about 14% suffer from some kind of hearing loss
- 91% of adults who have loss of hearing are over the age of 50
- 15% of school-age children have some form of hearing loss
- Hearing aids would benefit almost 29 million adults with loss of hearing, but…
- …hearing aids are actually used 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
This is very troubling. Because neglected hearing loss has been associated with numerous health issues from an increased risk of falling to cognitive decline and depression. The relevance of your hearing to your overall health is supported by new studies coming out all of the time. These health problems can be avoided and in certain cases reversed by hearing aids.
And hearing loss will cost the average family up to $12,000 each year which should be a really persuasive fact. 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 old hearing aid can make a huge effect, in the overall health, quality of life and financial well-being, for a person in need who could not normally afford a hearing aid. It could also help a child in school that has difficulty hearing, which could impact their ability to enter into higher education and make a livable wage when they get older.
Donating Your Used Hearing Aids
There are lots of volunteer groups and manufacturers who help recycle old hearing aids. Come and see us so we can advise you on the correct recycling option for you. Or you can simply give us a call.