Second hand hearing aids?
Why is there no established market for second hand hearing aids? Given the high price of a new aid, you would think that a cheaper second-hand model would be very tempting to a lot of people.
It’s not so different from buying a second hand car
The second-hand car market is huge. People have the option of buying privately and taking some risk on the quality of the car or they can buy a re-conditioned/serviced/checked car from a dealer. The same could apply to hearing aids: buy a known working model from a vendor or change your luck buying directly from John Doe.
Plenty of stock
Just how many unused hearing aids are lying around doing nothing? And how many of those hearing aids have been worn only once or not at all? If someone has paid a lot of money for them then they may not prepared to give them away to charity, so why not sell them to someone who is going make use of them? As well as all the unused new models, how many people have upgraded and left their old aids lying around doing nothing?
Fitting
No two people are going to have exactly the same ear shape to changes would of course be needed to allow the buyer to use their second hand purchase. A new shell would be needed for in-the-ear models; new tubing and a new mould would probably be required for over-the-ear models. Manufacturers will create new shells/moulds for a price - they already do.
Reconditioning
A digital aid would need to be re-programmed for the new wearer. Audiologists / vendors already supply programming services so there is no problem here. With an audiogram, the programming process should be simple for an experienced audiologist.
I don’t see any real big barrier to a second-hand hearing aid market and I’m sure there is a huge number of customers out there waiting to buy cheaper hearing aids.
I’m amazed that there doesn’t appear to be a second hand market in hearing aids! Especially open fit Behind The Ear types because only the Corda tube needs changing… This is a minor component and reprogramming the latest digital devices should not present a significant problem. It seems the industry simply doesn’t ‘Want’ a second hand market because they make less money that way!
I’d love to see someone take this on some how and promote a service for second hand hearing aids. At a new price of several thousand pounds! This surely must be viable!
Susanna
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Buying a second hand car is vastly different from purchasing a second hand hearing aid. Yes, it would be cheaper and certain components could be altered to suit the new wearer, but infection control needs to be considered. Sweat and dead skin cells are just a few of the things that can get into and onto a hearing aid and it is not sensible or hygenic to simply swap or wear somebody elses.
This could only be practical if the second hand aids were fully reconditioned.
Annie
Hey Annie,
Thanks for commenting. I totally agree with you - hygiene would be important when selling a used aid. In the ear models would need a new mould anyway and over the ears could either have the ear plug/mould sterilised or replaced.
Susanna,
You are probably right that the industry doesn’t want a second hand market forming - I’d be really interested to find out where vendors stand on this as I reckon they could still make a decent profit on second hand aids if they manage to purchase them cheaply enough.
Hi there ALL,
I have been trying to find a S/H hearing aid for ages. Simply can’t afford a brand new one, and am not troubled by the concept of using a USED hearing aid at all. Surely they can be cleaned and sanitised sufficiently. So where can I find them? Genuinely interested. Thanks.
I have a great pair of top of the line oticon BTE hearing aids that my grandma purchased just before she passed away. These hearing aids are so expensive new I feel like I shouldn’t just give them away and would love to sell them but have no avenue to do so!!
Try selling them on eBay!!
l have two hearing aids which l would gladly give to someone in need…….interested? just pay the postage and theyre yours
Patricia,
That’s a very kind offer! What is the make and model of the aids you are offering?
Is anyone going to take Patricia up on this offer?
Hi All,
I am trying to find 2nd hand hearing aids for my mother in law, and its almost impossible other than Ebay. I dont understand why this isnt a viable market, well I do its the big boys controling the market.
I cant see why hygiene etc are even a problem, there should be a service that provides the cleansing and re-fitting of the mould section. I notice there’s a recycling service but no used market. Certianly has made me interested in starting one.
If anyone has two hearing aids 2nd hand I am extrememly interested. On that note Patricia can you give me an idea of the model, make etc, because I am interested in pruchasing them.
Hello,
I have a pair of digital GNI Resound hearling aids that belonged to my mom who recently passed away. They cost about $4,500 new and are not very old, so the technology is pretty new. I know they can put new earpieces and tubes on and can reprogram them. My mom had a severe hearing loss so they were the best available when purchased, according to the audiologist. I have the case and user guide, plus a smaller travel-purse sized case. I’d be willing to sell them for $400.00 Please feel free to contact me, Molly Bruce, at bruce.molly@gmail.com. I will only sell to a person who needs them at this price and not to someone wanting to resell on ebay….Thanks, Molly Bruce
My father’s doctor told him it was illegal to sell used hearing aids. What at scam! Some people cannot afford 5K for aids. So, should we just let our seniors go deaf? I don’t have a background in the industry, so I hope someone who does will that the ball and run!!!!!
[...] few people have responded to my article about second hand hearing aids - there’s been a few offering aids either cheaply or for free and a few people asking for [...]
Illegal please! It should be illegal that you cant buy them 2nd hand. All these people suffering due to the ridiculous cost of hearing aids. Im disgusted!
Molly I will send you an email, thanks
Sarah
I just can not believe that exists a second hand market of hearing aids . I think that it just couldn’t compare the situations . It’s about only by the hygiene and the health .
But , it’s also really that these hearing aids are expensive , and some people haven’t enough money to buy it and they choose to buy used hearing aids …. I don’t know but I think that this isn’t a solution .
It is very important from who you buy a second-hand car. You must be very carefully and open the eyes very well because what you buy is yours. About hearing aids I can say that I disagree this think..It’s not very correct to buy used hearing aids. In time these are degrated.
I am in need of 2 hearing aids and am willing to pay a reasonable amount., can not affor new ones. I am using a used aid now, but only helps a little-was told I need two. I am not opposed to used hearing aids and would like to find in the canal types If any one has this type please contact me thank you so much
My e-mail is smerkj@aol.com thankyou jo anne
followup from joanne-my e-mail is smerkj@aol.com thankyou
hello. before my mother passed away, she bought my father a pulse resound hearind aid, just over 18 months ago now. He relied on her to fit it in his ear as he has very poor coordination. I know it cost new nearly £1200 and am trying to find somewhere to sell it. any suggestions…… thanks
I have a brandnew hearing aid my late father purchased and never wore. I would like to sell it very reasonably. Contact me at basto13@hotmail.com
My mother recently passed away, and she had some very expensive Avada in the canal type programmable hearing aids. I am willing to sell them to someone who needs them, not for resale on Ebay. Please contact me at patsfan52@embarqmail.com if you are interested. I will not be checking my email fagain or about one week, so please be patient.
We are in a similar position to Jane. That is we have an $8,500 pair of the “behind the ear hearing aids” that have removable/replaceable moulds to avoid any health issues. If someone was interested in these computerised hearing aids that are programmable to individual requirements, then please contact me on dharris0211@gmail.com.
hello, my brother is 48 and deaf and went for the new digital hearing aid. After getting the new one, he was told to give his old type back to them (nhs). he cannot get used to the new one and has been back to the hearing department about 20 times to adjust, as the new ones don`t adjust manually. They have to be done by computer. he is really fed up! combined with this he has tinnitus. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE has anyone got the old type behind the ear hearing aid, which they don`t require. i would be happy to pay as it is distressing to see my brother like this. my e-mail is terry.hodgson3@ntlworld.com
THANKS
Hallo, Mijn vriend zoek al een tijd naar gehoorapparaten, hij is die van hem kwijt geraakt ze waren
heel duur, ik hoop dat er iemand is die ze aanbiedt voor een redelijke prijs. Dan kan hij eindelijk
weer goed horen wat ik zeg. Thanks Marianne m1toet@hotmail.com
I’ve just got a Phonak eXtra 211 unfortunaly medical insuranse will only pay for one and I need two. I’m willing to purchase a second hand one if anyone has a Phonak eXtra 211. My email is schnetlerb@yahoo.com
I’m not amazed at all that there is not a market for 2nd hand hearing aids. First of all, gross. Secondly, you would still have to spend hundreds of dollars on a used hearing aid so why would anyone want one that was used on someone else where it had the chance to have been damaged??? I suppose the person who was wearing it would not have to tell you if it had been repaired in the past. You’d have to pay for the old circuit, if it were custom, you would have to pay to have a new shell built and if it were BTE, you’d have to buy new molds. On top of that, what dispenser would just adjust them for free? You’d probably have to pay an establishment fee. The cost balances out plus when you buy newer hearing aids, you get a warranty. With old ones, you’d probably have to purchase that too.
Have just upgraded my GNResound Air 60 BTE aids to Dot 30`s Willing to sell my air60`s They are currently programed for mild hearing loss They still work perfectly £350 dougmac22@msn.com
I am looking for second hand hearing aids as they are so expensive, I am on a fixed income and can not afford to brand purchase new ones.
I really need a good pair of hearing aids, I am on a limited income and retired. I have a 50% hearing loss in the high frequency. Does anyone have a good behind the ear model used to sell? I would like the programable digital model . Richard Fifer 772-546-1715 fifer50@aol.com
I am selling my daughters hearing aid brand: OTICON SUMO XP purchased last july 1,2008- its original price was php58,000. my daughter used it for only 3 months because she got her cochlear implant last nov.2008 at the age of two. please contact me if interested.. luzvimindamagbag@yahoo.com or at 09283364201
I am interested in buying a pair of used Behind the ear hearing aids. Have already had my hearing loss evaluated by an audiologist. Am living on Soc. Sec. I also plan to check with service clubs, but hope I can find one here. Thank you.
I took part in a program here in Indianapolis called “Vocational Rehabilitation”. They bought me a brand new pair of Resound Dot-10 hearing aids, after I went through a six month screening process. I have tried them once, for all of 30 minutes, and they’re too much for me. My hearing isn’t that bad to be honest. They’re brand new in a box, with a dehumidifier and extra batteries. Email me me if you’re interested. bridges.bob@gmail.com . I want $400.00 for them, which is more than fair considering the sell for over $1,500.
my grandson put my hearing aid in the micro wave , trying to help would be so grateful if i could buy a scond hand one for right ear, as i am broke this month. would be really grateful.
I am selling a pair of Siemens Intuis Life -Open Fit Digital - BTE from my grandmother that passed away. She used them for 6 months and the original cost was $2100. I am asking $600 for the pair as they are used. Let me know if interested at graphixenator@gmail.com Thank you.
Hi,
I’m currently trying to sell my own USED hearing aid, this is how I stumble across this forum.
I own a CN ResoundAir hearing aid amplifiers, they were purchased in 2008 and I’m parting them because I have now purchased a new set.
The set originally cost 2900GBP and they are in perfect condition in the original box and with all the documentation that follows. The Warranty is EXPIRED, However, I’m comfident in them so will do a complete refund in case buyer is not satisfied.
I will part the machine for the mere sum of 500GBP.
Please email me if intrested/questions.
djdanj@hotmail.com
Thank you.
Daniel j
I am so grateful to have found this site! My mom bought new, top of the line hearing aids 10 months before she passed. I’ve been diagnosed as having moderate to severe hearing loss but cannot afford hearing aids. When I questioned the company where we bought and had mom’s aids maintained about reprogramming them I was told that it was impossible but they would give me a $500 discount on my brand new hearing aids if I traded mom’s.
Wow - was I schnookered!!! I’m going to take these to a reputable audiologist and see what can be done. This will change my life. Thanks!
Hello
I have a pair of Qticon Epoq digital hearing aids with bluetooth streamer for sale. They have been hardly used. They are designed to fit any ear (They have plastic ends that are flexible and you’re ment to change them monthly for hygiene) and are state of the art technology. The streamer means that you can link the aids to your mobile, house phone or mp3 player. They were my fathers which he used for work but he suddenly passed away. They cost £3000 new, but will accept lower price. If anyone is interested then I can give more details or supply pictures. xanthe_thindwa@yahoo.co.uk
Xanthe
Hi, I have a used starkey-I hearing aid for the right ear. It’s used in meetings only, so it’s almost new. I bought it in Canada one and a half year ago for about $1600CAD. You can take it for $600USD. Contact me with delpub@gmail.com. Thank you.
I have a new Phonak Supero 413 AZ hearing aid that my grandmother had as a replacement for one which she had lost. Sadly she passed away within 24 hours of getting it and so it was not used. You can see by its appearance that it has not been used but I don’t have the box or operating instructions. The new price is around £1400 I believe, I will be willing to consider offers above £400 if anyone is interested.
Sorry should have left my e-mail address which is joandandyhalls@hotmail.com