Can Hearing Aids Be Recycled?

Can you recycle hearing aids? The answer is Yes. Whether old, used or unused, unwanted hearing aids have the potential to be recycled. Some or all of the parts of the aid can be reused again whether it is an analogue or digital hearing aid.

The recycling process of a hearing aid requires detailed testing, potential re-casing, changing parts and precise cleaning, then with a new blank canvas it is ready to be programmed again.

 

Many developing countries rely on such methods of recycling and with hard working charities such as Sound Seekers and Lions Club International with dedicated volunteers we are able to reach many deaf and hard of hearing people across the world.

 

 

You cannot recycle hearing aids at your local council recycling centre however there are many locations you can take it to. If your hearing aid was provided by the NHS it will need to be returned back to the NHS department it was obtained, all NHS hearing aids are only ever on loan and continue to be NHS property, once returned the NHS department depending on the age and type of hearing aid some hearing aids can be sent to their manufacturer to be tested and refurbished as good as new for NHS use.

If you bought your hearing aid there are a number of other options for recycling:

 

Collection points: 

  • At your local lions Club, the Lions Clubs International Hearing Aid Bank Program (HARP) have established a recycling program http://members.lionsclubs.org/EN/serve/hearing/hearing-aid-recycling.php 

  • Specsavers shops stores have a drop off point for hearing aids that can be passed on to SoundSeekers http://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/sound-seekers-charity
  • The Hearing Care Centre have 15 blue donation boxes across Suffolk http://www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/Info_page_two_pic_2_det.asp?art_id=6376&sec_id=3069

Postal address:

  • You can post them directly to the Sound Seekers office at: Sound Seekers c/o UCL Ear Institute 332-336 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8EE 
  • Help the Aged accept working, unwanted, non digital hearing aids, which they distribute through India. .Post your hearing aid to: Hearing Aid Appeal, Help the Aged, FREEPOST LON13616, London, EC1B 1PS.

Quick Tips

To hear with a hearing aid on the phone, hold the telephone near the hearing aid microphone, if you have a behind the ear hearing aid this will be behind your ear.