Can you get fitted with used hearing aids?
We hear you: hearing aids cost an arm and a leg, and when a friend or family member is offering their old ones for free, it’s a tempting offer. But can you, or should you, wear second-hand hearing aids?
Hearing aids are specifically customised for individuals, based on the results of their hearing test and individual hearing needs. This means the physical mould of the hearing aid, as well as the technology within it, might not be suitable for your type of hearing loss. For example, if the used aid is an “in-the-ear” model, it’s generally not possible to remake the mould to fit anyone other than the person it was made for. It is possible to reuse a “behind-the-ear” model as you can simply pair it with new custom ear moulds or tips.
The other point to consider is the technology of the used hearing aid, which might not suit your type of hearing loss. You would need to get a hearing professional to test the amplification and programming capability of the hearing aids to determine if they would be appropriate for your hearing needs.
In most cases, there will be costs to re-fitting and re-programming used hearing aids. If you have second-hand hearing aids, the first step to seeing if they can be used is to speak to your audiologist or hearing professional.
Related links:
Magnetic pulses reduce symptoms of tinnitus
Everything you need to know about digital hearing aids
How to adjust to a new hearing device