Can Hearing Aids Be Reused?

Loss of hearing is a common problem for many people in the US, and it’s increasing. Indeed, experts predict that the number of people experiencing hearing loss by the year 2050 will be over 50 million. That’s a lot of people needing guidance and support! Of course, it also means there will be more and more people that will need to make use of hearing aids. Which in turn begs the question, where will these devices come from?

Well, for some people the option of reusing a hearing aid bought second hand online or inherited from a relative might seem like a great way to save money. However, as you will discover in the article below, reusing hearing aids is a bad idea, as can limit the ability to customize critical features and provide a custom fit. Read on to find out more.

Hearing Aid Technology Is Constantly Updated

First, one of the most critical reasons that reusing hearing aids is a bad idea is that the technology they are based on is always evolving. What this means is by reusing an old hearing aid you will only have access to dated technology, something that can seriously impair your experience.

A good analogy to make here is to consider how often people update their cell phones. Few folks would choose a reconditioned cell phone that was five years old, over the latest release with all the new features. Now compare this to hearing aids, surely having the most up to date technology is even more important here as they are devices that are fitted to the body and enable one of the basic five senses to work effectively?

Additionally, pre-sued hearing aids will require reprogramming to the individual’s specific hearing loss. Unfortunately, there are likely to be more problems doing this with older models as the tech and software will have moved on, making them obsolete.

Your Prescription

There is no one-size-fits-all type of hearing loss. Indeed, in the same way, that someone with sight impairment has a personal prescription for their glasses, every person experiencing hearing loss has a specific loss too. This means that the hearing aid they use needs to be manufactured to that perspective for it to be able to work effectively.

Of course, with a reused hearing aid, you won’t know whether the type of hearing loss will be anything like your own unless you have it tested by your audiologist to see if it’s in the required fitting range. If it’s not, then it will need to be reprogrammed to match you and while this is possible.

Indeed, just as you wouldn’t start to use a pair of glasses that you had inherited or been given without making sure they matched your prescription, it makes sense to not wear a used hearing aid either.

Many Hearing Aids Are Custom

Many of the hearing aid styles available include custom elements that make them unviable for reuse.

For example, a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid requires a customized earmold that connects to the aid. Now, it may be possible to visit your audiologist and have an earmold customized for a BTE aid. However, the aid would still need to be reprogrammed for your hearing loss perspective.

Then there are the popular hearing aid models including in the ear (ITE) and in the canal (ITC). These require a custom case for each user to fit into the ear or the ear canal, otherwise, they will not perform at optimum and they can be uncomfortable to wear too.

ITC or ITE hearing aids can indeed be re-cased, but your audiologist would need to take an impression of your ear, and then send that to manufacturers to make a new case. Additionally, the hearing aid would still need to be reprogramed for your hearing loss.

Contact Advanced Hearing of Brighton for All Your Hearing Aid Needs and Queries

If you would like some more information and guidance on whether to reuse a hearing aid or purchase a new one, contact our experienced staff at 810-355-2245. Here at Advanced Hearing of Brighton our professional and helpful team will listen to your needs, and help you make the right choices to enhance your hearing and your quality of life.