Can Hearing Aids Be Reused?

Hearing loss is certainly a huge problem. Researchers have found that around 40-million people are going to have hearing impairment by the year 2025. This number is said to rise up to 53 million by the year 2050. If you have hearing loss or if you struggle to pick up on certain sounds, then you may wonder if hearing aids can be reused. The truth is experts recommend that you do not reuse them. Here’s why.

The Right Type of Hearing Aid

The type of hearing aid that is suited to you may not be the best for someone else. There are a lot of different types of hearing aid out there and each one will have a different fit and a different mechanism. Some might be suited to those who have more severe hearing loss and others may be less so.

Either way, although you can reuse your hearing aid, it is advisable that you don’t because you may find that your hearing aid is not tailored to your exact requirements and that it is not made for your type of hearing loss. When you do pay your audiologist a visit, they will look at how severe your hearing loss is and what lifestyle you lead, so that you can find something that accommodates you.

The Right Fit

If you want to wear a hearing aid to work or anywhere else of the sort, then you must make sure that it is a perfect fit. You need to make sure that the hearing aid is able to deliver the sound to the inner ear without any kind of interference. If you know that your hearing aid does not fit well, then there’s a chance that it will whistle. The main reason for this is because the microphone is feeding back.

Ideally, you should attend a few fitting sessions so that you can make sure that your hearing aid is comfortable and that it is in good working order. Even though the device needs to be secure in terms of the fit, you do have to make sure that it isn’t too tight in your ear. You may also have to have some follow-up appointments so that you can make sure that your experience is positive.

Outdated Tech

A lot of hearing aids comprise of very intricate technology. Most people who have used a computer or even a mobile phone can attest to technology becoming outdated very fast, and hearing aids from a few years ago may not rank as highly now. If you want to do something about this, then you need to try and look at your hearing aid and you also need to upgrade it if you deem it as being outdated. If you can do this, then you will be able to make sure that it meets all of the current standards.

Custom-Made Devices

It is true that some hearing devices are fit to conform to the person’s ear specifically. In cases such as this, fitting a hearing aid into someone else’s ear can be difficult. That being said, that doesn’t mean that it is not impossible. Recycled hearing aids have to go through a very long process before they can be reused, and they also have to be re-cased. This means that the device has to be completely remolded so that it can then fit the recipient’s ear better.

Reprogramming

A used hearing device has to be reprogrammed as well. Contraptions such as this are never one make or one model that fits all. In a lot of cases, it’s important to know that devices are designed to meet the hearing needs of the person who they were fitted for. In other words, if you have a used hearing aid then you may need to have it refitted with your hearing loss in mind. Re-casing and re-programming can be a long process so ultimately, it is much better if you are able to go through your audiologist.

If you want to find out more about your hearing loss or if you are interested in getting a hearing aid fitted, then the best thing that you can do is contact Audiology & Hearing Aid Solutions at (973) 721-6520 or (201) 375-9081. When you do, one of our talented audiologists can then guide you through the steps you need to take to have your hearing aid fitted, while also helping you with any questions that you might have. It has never been easier for you to get a hearing aid that fits well and that restores your confidence.