We are often asked about what to do with unwanted, used hearing aids. This query arises a lot more than you may expect for a variety of reasons. You may have just replaced your previous one with a better unit, you could have gotten a cochlear implant and thus have no need for yours any longer, or it could have belonged to a family member who no longer needs it.
One choice that does not occur to many people is to hang on to the old one so you can use it as a backup if something happens to your new aid or if it requires servicing. This is not a bad idea, in the same way that keeping your old pair of glasses as a backup is a good idea when you get a new pair.
If it is a newer model and in good working condition, you may be able to sell the used hearing aid on a website such as eBay or Craigslist. Before you do this, make sure it is legal in your area to resell hearing aids; there are many states in which it is not. To attract qualified potential buyers, make sure that your ad contains all the relevant details including the manufacturer and model, the date of purchase and current condition, warranty and battery details and the reason you are selling it. It is a good idea to include pictures. Also, don’t expect to get nearly as much money as you paid for it; look for ads for similar hearing aids, and keep yours within the same range.
However, one option that is available to you if you can afford it is to not sell or keep the hearing aid but to give it away to someone who is in need of one. There are organizations that specialize in collecting used hearing aids and redistributing them to people who need one, but cannot afford them. The following organizations operate in varies cities across the US collecting and redistributing hearing aids.
Another organization called Worldwide Hearing also collects used hearing aids for redistribution in developing nations where the people need them but cannot afford them.