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Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. Read the announcement
Hearing Loss
September 11, 2024
4 min

What To Do With Old Hearing Aids

If you have old hearing aids laying somewhere in a drawer and you don’t know what to do with them we have an answer for you. Donate your hearing aids!

Author:
Nicole Brener
What To Do With Old Hearing Aids
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We all know that getting a pair of hearing aids can be a significant financial burden for some. Yet, these devices are life-changing, offering positive outcomes to those living with hearing loss.

Do you have an extra pair of hearing aids and don't know what to do with them?

If you're thinking about upgrading your current hearing aids or have an old pair lying around, consider donating them. 

Did you know you can donate your hearing aids?

There’s a large number of people without access to hearing aids who would greatly benefit from assistive listening devices. Your generosity can make a world of difference to someone in need, helping them access better hearing and improving their quality of life.

Why Donating Hearing Aids Matters

If you foresee your old hearing aids sitting in a dark drawer for years, then it's probably a good idea to donate them.

Donating your hearing aids benefits another individual living with hearing loss who might be unable to afford a new pair. Additionally, you can get a tax deduction when a non-profit organization provides a charitable contribution letter for tax purposes.

Most importantly, your generosity can help others with hearing loss hear better.

Where Can I Donate My Hearing Aids

Donating directly to local organizations and charities is a great way to reach the right people. A great place to start is by asking your audiologist. Most likely, they'll be aware of local organizations and charities that accept hearing aid donations. 

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Recommended Local Organizations and Charities for Hearing Loss

Lions Club Hearing Aid Recycling Program
Lions Club operates a program that helps people with hearing loss. One of their initiatives is to collect used hearing aids and deliver them to those in need, either by refurbishing them or repurposing parts. They have drop-off locations across the U.S. and internationally.

Learn more about the Lions Club Hearing Aid Recycling Program

Hearing Charities of America
This organization provides hearing aids to low-income individuals. They accept donations and ensure the devices are put to good use.

Learn more about Hearing Charities of America

Starkey Hearing Foundation
Starkey Hearing Foundation works internationally and accepts donated hearing aids to provide hearing aids and hearing care to people in underserved communities worldwide.

Learn more about the Starkey Hearing Foundation

Your Local Audiologist or Hearing Aid Center
Consult with your audiologist or local hearing aid centers that may accept old hearing aids and donate them to those who can’t afford new ones. 

Hear Now by Starkey
Hear Now is a US-based program that provides hearing aids to individuals who are low-income or cannot afford them. It accepts donations of hearing aids to be refurbished and redistributed.

How To Get a Tax Deduction From Your Donation

Your hearing aid donation must be made to a qualifying nonprofit organization to be eligible for a tax deduction. 

Once you identify your charitable organization, ask them for a written acknowledgment or receipt of your donation. This should include the charity’s name, the date of the donation, and a description of the donated item (hearing aids). 

Keep this receipt to report and claim the deduction in your tax forms. Generally, you can deduct up to 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for charitable contributions, but specific limits apply depending on the type of property and the organization receiving it. If donating used hearing aids, the deduction is based on the fair market value, not the original purchase price.

Final Thoughts

Hearing aids can be expensive and a significant number of people who need hearing aids cannot afford them, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 

In the U.S., for example, the average cost of a pair of hearing aids ranges from $1,000 to $6,000, depending on the technology and features. Since most insurance plans, including Medicare, typically don’t cover the cost of hearing aids, many people face financial barriers.

That’s why donating your old hearing aids can mean a world of a difference to someone with hearing loss. By giving others access to these essential hearing devices, you help improve their quality of life, allowing them to engage more fully with the world around them.

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Nicole Brener

Copywriter based in Miami, FL. Leads copywriting workshops and mentors women entrepreneurs at the Idea Center of Miami Dade College.

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Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. 
‍Read the announcement

What To Do With Old Hearing Aids

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.