How can you recycle used hearing aids? The answer is always the same whether you choose to upgrade to a more sophisticated model like cochlear implants or you got them from a departed family member: your used hearing aids should be donated instead of throwing them away.
There are several organizations that collect and distribute used hearing aids to individuals who need them, and there are plenty of people who need them. Read on to discover why it’s important to donate your used hearing aid and find out how you can go about it.
Why It’s Important to Contribute a Pre-owned Hearing Aid
First, here are a few significant statistics about hearing loss and hearing aids in the US:
- Of the overall population, around 14% have some kind of hearing loss
- Of all of the adults who have hearing loss 91% percent are over the age of 50
- 15% of school-age children suffer from some type of hearing loss
- Hearing aids would help nearly 29 million adults with hearing loss, 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 people over 70 who require hearing aids, fewer than 30% percent have ever had them
This is really troubling. Because health issues like mental decline, greater risk of falling, and depression have been connected to untreated hearing loss. The value of your hearing to your general health is supported by new studies being released all of the time. These health issues can be prevented and in some situations reversed by hearing aids.
And loss of hearing will cost the typical family up to $12,000 every year which should be a really persuasive fact. But that expense can actually be decreased by as much as 50% by using hearing aids.
For a family that loses out on $12,000 every year, it may just not be possible for them to afford a hearing aid.
For a person in need, who can’t afford a hearing aid, your used hearing aids can have a big impact on their financial stability, quality of life, and overall health. It could also help a child in school that has a hard time hearing, which could affect their ability to enter into college and make a livable wage when they get older.
Donating Your Used Hearing Aids
There are many volunteer groups and makers who help recycle old hearing aids. Come and see us so we can guide you on the right recycling choice for you. Or give us a call.