Do you have old hearing aids you’re not sure what to do with? Instead of letting them go to waste, consider how you might repurpose or safely dispose of them. Whether you donate, recycle or sell, your old hearing aids can help others, protect the environment or even provide you with a tax benefit. This guide will walk you through your options and how to make the most of your unused devices.
Not sure what to do with old hearing aids? There are plenty of ways to give them a new purpose and extend their usefulness. From recycling to donating, you have a few options for what to do with old hearing aids that are outdated or no longer right for you.
If your old hearing aids still have some life left in them, donation is a great option. Many non-profit organizations accept functional hearing aids (keep reading for more information on specific organizations).
When donating hearing aids, ensure they are in good working condition, properly cleaned, and suitable for refurbishment or reprogramming. Verify that the organization accepts the specific type of hearing aids you wish to donate and it complies with local regulations. Older or heavily worn devices may not be ideal for donation, so it’s important to confirm their usability.
If your old hearing aids are Miracle-Ear products but they simply don’t work like they used to, remember all Miracle-Ear hearing aids come with a three-year hearing aid warranty* and lifetime aftercare services**, which includes reprogramming, tune-ups, hearing tests and cleaning. With this in mind, it might be worth holding onto your Miracle-Ear hearing aid.
You may want to recycle old hearing aids if they’re no longer functional. Recycling old hearing aids at your local electronics recycling center, if they’re accepted, is a smart, eco-friendly choice that helps reduce landfill waste. While parts of your hearing aids may be recyclable, always remember to remove the batteries first.
Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should never be disposed of in household trash or regular recycling bins. You can also bring your old hearing aids to your nearest Miracle-Ear location for recycling—it’s important that any unusable parts are disposed of properly.
Hearing aids are a significant investment, so selling an old pair to recoup some money is an option if you don’t need or want to keep them as a backup pair—but there are some factors to keep in mind.
According to Title 21, Section 801.420 of the Code of Federal Regulations, you must adhere to specific state and federal guidelines to provide buyers with clear and accurate information about the product. These regulations are part of the FDA’s oversight to ensure that hearing aids are accompanied by clear instructions, warnings and technical data1.
When selling used hearing aids, consider the platform’s rules. eBay, for example, prohibits the sale of prescription-required hearing aids but allows non-prescription ones if properly cleaned and listed under the correct category. Listings must disclose if the device is used, include the expiration date and feature a statement about FDA compliance.
Donating used hearing aids is a meaningful way to support individuals who need hearing assistance but cannot afford to buy their own. If you’re looking where to donate hearing aids, consider the following:
Donated hearing aids benefit individuals with hearing loss who cannot afford new devices, including low-income families, seniors on a fixed income and those in underserved communities. While donated hearing aids can be life-changing, it’s important to ensure they are properly cleaned, refurbished and reprogrammed by a professional to meet the recipient’s specific hearing needs and maintain safety.
To help those in need, the Miracle-Ear Foundation provides free hearing aids and lifetime support through their Gift of Sound program, funded by tax-deductible monetary donations and proceeds from sales. Since 1990, it has transformed the lives of more than 28,000 individuals by providing more than 54,000 hearing aids.
Donating old hearing aids to a qualified non-profit organization may offer a tax benefit if you itemize deductions on your tax return. You can claim an itemized deduction for the fair market value (FMV) of the hearing aids, but you’ll need a receipt from the charity, determine the FMV yourself and follow IRS guidelines for itemized deductions.
Recycling hearing aid batteries is essential to prevent environmental harm, as zinc-air batteries should not be disposed of with household waste. Many municipalities offer drop-off centers for battery recycling, where toxic metals are removed and reused. Alternatively, hearing aids with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can generally be dropped off at an electronics recycling center.
*Limited warranty, see store or miracle-ear.com/warranty for details.
**Miracle-Ear® lifetime aftercare not included with hearing aids purchased utilizing some insurance benefits.
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