Today, a woman brought her elderly mother in for a hearing evaluation.  She asked me something I've been asked many times before.

"Instead of paying for new, expensive hearing aids, can you refurbish this pair from my relative?"

I wish things could be this simple.  Unfortunately, in many cases, patients are unable to use hearing aids from a previous owner.  It depends on the style of the hearing aid, the amount of gain, the repairs associated with the device, and the technology level of the circuitry.

If the hearing aid is a Receiver-in-the-ear (RIC) or a Behind-the-ear (BTE) style, you may be in luck.  These devices consist of a piece which sits behind the ear and connects to a piece which is inserted into the ear via a tube or wire.  These styles are not custom and, depending on the specifications of the hearing aid, might be programmable for your hearing loss.  Custom hearing aids, which are created from a mold of your ear canal, must fit tightly into your canal and cannot be transferred between people.  However, there is the possibility that the inside components can be re-cased into a new shell made from an earmold impression of your ear.  This depends on the integrity of the inside pieces and their ability to match your hearing loss.  This option is cheaper than purchasing a new set of hearing aids but does still carry a cost of a few hundred dollars. 

Most audiologists will charge a fee to "adopt" hearing aids that were not purchased through their practice.  This is because of the cost of the supplies we use to fix devices in the office.  If the hearing aid cannot be fixed in house, it may be sent out for repair to the manufacturer.  This cost is usually a couple hundred dollars but does include a renewed warranty on the device.  If the hearing aid is deemed appropriate for your hearing loss by your hearing care professional, this fee may seem much more agreeable than the cost of a new pair of hearing aids.

One last thing to consider is the technology level of a hearing aid.  This determines the sophistication of the device.  Basic hearing aids are typically good for people who don't have many social engagements and who experience more simple listening environments.  If the purpose of your grandmother's hearing aid was to hear the television better, you may not find much of a benefit wearing it in your bustling, social life.

Please be advised: NEVER pick up someone else's hearing aid and insert it into your own ear. Hearing aids typically have an automatic feature which prevents sounds from going dangerously loud but that depends on your hearing ability. You do not know how loudly the volume levels are set and you run the risk of damaging your own hearing.

In summary, it is possible, though not probably, to reuse hearing aids from a relative or friend.  Just be aware that there will still be costs.  You may be sacrificing benefits from newer, more appropriate, better working hearing aids in an attempt to save money with an old pair.