FAQ’s

Yes, hearing aids can be recycled. The simplest way is to drop them into one of our 1200 (and growing) collection centres. We accept all makes and models and will do our very best to repurpose them as hearing aids for a next user. Some hearing aids are not transferrable or have been so ‘loved’ first time round they are beyond economical repair. We also have a zero landfill commitment. If it isn’t possible for yours or your loved ones hearing aid to continue life as a hearing aid, we will make sure it is recycled to components for reintroduction to the production chain, somewhere, for something.

You can also post them to us!

Another place that accept and attempt to repurpose hearing aids is The Lions Club. Although they only have resources to process various types of hearing aid. Hearing Aid Recycling accept all hearing aids. You can find your nearest collection centre on the Interactive Map or in the Directory.

Any used hearing aid batteries can easily be recycled at many major stores. Nearly all supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury, Aldi) and larger chemists (Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds etc) have battery ‘bins’ you can place them in. They will then be sent to WasteCare as part of their BatteryBack initiative. They will separate all the batteries between lithium and zinc and re-process the materials.

You are also very welcome, when you are donating hearing aids, to drop any used batteries to one of our collection centres . We accept and will make good use of spare, unused batteries too.

We’ll make sure they are used for people who need them or processed to components via WasteCare. If you are sending new and old at the same time, please could you try to clearly label which is which – thank you!

If you drop/send your hearing aid to Hearing Aid Recycling we will do our very best to repurpose it. Hearing aids fall into various categories but in simplest terms they are either in-ear (custom mould) hearing aids or BTE (behind the ear). The ear is a very sensitive organ so anything that is going to be placed in it has to be a VERY good fit.  Otherwise it will be excruciatingly uncomfortable. For this reason these hearing aids cannot be repurposed for a next user. However, they can be responsibly recycled and their components be re-used.

Nearly all BTE hearing aids (which make up the majority of UK hearing aids) can be very simply reprogrammed for a next user. Most hearing aids are being thrown away after one owner. Nearly all of them are in good working order and have many years of useful life left. Hearing Aid Recycling will refurbish them, change all the ‘consumable’ parts, fully service them and find a next best use for them at home or abroad.

We are very grateful that the ‘big 6’  (Widex, Phonak, Signia, Starkey and GN). manufacturers have all agreed that the warranty goes with the device rather than the purchaser. Meaning any donated devices within their warranty can be returned and serviced by the manufacturer.

All devices are clearly labelled with manufacturer and serial number so it is very easy to find the warranty information.

If a device is outside its warranty period it will be serviced and made ready for a next user by HARS (The Hearing Aid Repair Shop).

There are many places that you can donate your old hearing aids.  Or those of a loved one.  Hearing Aid Recycling has over 1200 collection centres across the UK.  It is super easy to look the nearest one up.  Either by entering your postcode on our interactive map or by searching by County on the alphabetical list.  You can also post them direct to us, the address is here.  We’re so passionate about trying to recycle and reuse as many UK hearing aid as possible that if you can’t drop the off or post them to us we’re always happy for you to end us an email on info@hearingaidrecycing.co.uk or to call us on 0300 102 1565 and we’ll see if there is any way in which we can help you donate them.  One of biggest provider of collection centres is Dignity Funerals.  All of their participating branches are listed on the aforementioned map and list.  However, they also have a really simple to use directory here.

Thank you so much for looking to donate hearing aids to our recycling programme.  We promise to do our best to make sure they go on to help as many people as possible at home and abroad.

No, Specsavers no longer collect donated hearing aids for recycling.  They used to collect them for a charity called Sound Seekers.  Sound Seekers is no longer operational.  They have been amalgamated into DeafKidz International.  DeafKidz International still operate in the Developing World.  Their primary focus is to offer pastoral support to deaf children.  To make sure they are cared for and helped and not exploited.  Hearing Aid Recycling are looking to support them with the provision of repurposed donated hearing aids.  They do incredible work looking after and helping the children develop communication skills. So, if you do have any hearing aids that you would like to donate so that they can go on to help others then we’d absolutely love you to drop them off, post them in or contact us for details of how we can help you, help us, help other.  For information about Deafkidz please follow this link.

Yes, you can definitely donate your hearing aids for them to go to charity.  Hearing Aid Recycling are always thrilled to receive donated hearing aids!

We have drop off locations, you can post them direct to us or you can contact us and we’ll see if we can help you get them to us.  Every donated hearing aid has the potential to transform a life around the world.

We were recently interviewed by The Suffolk Times.  They asked the brilliant question “who has the most to benefit from a donated hearing aid?”.  Our very simple answer was “a child born deaf, in poverty, without access to an NHS equivalent. As we explain in our blog/news post.  A child born deaf without access to hearing aids will never learn to speak.  However, if we can provide a refurbished donated hearing aid then it is incredible how quickly that child will learn to speak.  Literally transforming a whole lifetime.

Many hearing aids can be repaired. Often it is a very simple and inexpensive option. Replacing a filter or receiver.

Most devices have an easy to change filter by the receiver. For a private hearing aid you can buy replacement ones from your provider or online. For an NHS appliance there is generally a morning a week of ‘drop in’ clinic , at your local hearing centre, where you can sit and wait for the filter to be checked and replaced.

Failing that if under warranty you need to contact your provider and they will arrange for it to be returned and repaired or replaced.

If your device is no longer under warranty often the manufacturer will still be able to help you (via your provider) but you will need to cover the cost of the repair.

Failing all of there’s also The Hearing Aid Repair Shop (HARS). HARS are linked to The Mary Hare School for Deaf Children. A large percentage of HARS profits go towards the incredible work the school does.

Its always worth checking the power. Have the batteries run out? Sometimes if the hearing aid isn’t quite positioned correctly in the charger, it can not charge properly.

The next most common reason is a blocked filter. Most devices have an easy to change filter, by the receiver. For a private hearing aid you can buy replacement ones from your provider or online. For an NHS appliance there is usually an occasional ‘drop in’ clinic , at your local hearing centre.  Search online or give them a call.  Generally you can sit and wait for the filter to be checked and replaced.

Failing that if under warranty you need to contact your provider and they will arrange for it to be returned and repaired or replaced.

If your device is no longer under warranty often the manufacturer will still be able to help you (via your provider) but you will need to cover the cost of the repair.

Failing all of the above, there’s also The Hearing Aid Repair Shop (HARS). HARS are linked to The Mary Hare School for Deaf Children. A large percentage of HARS profits go towards the incredible work the school does.

The short answer is: you’ll only know for sure if you have your hearing accessed.  With an audiogram from a qualified audiologist.  It is always best to make an appointment with your GP first.  There are many causes for hearing loss.  Some are temporary and treatable and some permanent and in need of correction.

Causes such as an object or fluid in the ear.  An infection.  A temporary trauma from loud noise exposure.  Short term tinnitus from a viral infection or again loud noise.

A common cause can be a build-up of wax.  This is very easy for the GP to check for with an otoscope.  If your Dr does see that your ear canal is obstructed by wax they will recommend various causes of action.  It is often possible to clear ear wax at home with over the counter remedies.  A few drops of warm olive oil twice a day in the affected ear/s will soften the wax.  This can be enough to allow the ear to self clean the wax.  For slightly more stubborn wax it may be necessary to seek the help of, again, an audiologist.  The safest and most recommended means of ear wax removal is by microsuction.  Your doctor may be able to recommend a provider.  Probably a local private audiologist or one of the hearing care chains such as Boots and Specsavers.  Prices vary from £55.00 – £300.00 for both ears.

However, many people experience some reduction in their hearing from their late middle age.  The tell-tale signs tend to be needing to turn the television up a bit more loudly than normal.  Perhaps causing other people around you to comment.  Needing to ask people to repeat things.  The most frequent indication that you may be experiencing a dip in your hearing will be finding it difficult to hear speech clearly when you are in noisy environments.

A common cause of temporary defaness can be a build-up of wax.  This is very easy for the GP to check for with an otoscope.  If your Dr does see that your ear canal is obstructed by wax they will recommend various causes of action.  It is often possible to clear ear wax at home with over the counter remedies.  A few drops of warm olive oil twice a day in the affected ear/s will soften the wax.  This can be enough to allow the ear to self clean the wax.   For slightly more stubborn wax it may be necessary to seek the help of, again, an audiologist.  The safest and most recommended means of ear wax removal is by microsuction.  Your Dr may be able to recommend a provider.  A local private audiologist or one of the hearing care chains such as Boots and Specsavers.  Prices vary from £55.00 – £300.00 for both ears.

Micsosuction is the process of removing wax from your ears by using a small suction tube and probe to gently remove excess wax in the ears.

Typically the practitioner will use an app on a phone to look into the ear and guide the suction probe.  Using very delicate and precise movements to gently remove the wax.

It isn’t painful but can cause a cough reflex and feel a bit tickly.

The machine is quite noisy so it may take a number of hours for the ear to recover and your hearing return to pre-wax clogged levels.

In the UK we are incredibly fortunate to have access to NHS hearing services free of charge.  You will need to go to your GP for them to check there aren’t a number of other simple causes for deafness.

If your Dr decides you would benefit from an audiogram you may be referred to your local hospital for a hearing test.  If you are over 55 then it may be possible for you to go to an AQP (any qualified provider – such as Specsavers) for your test.  This will generally be less waiting time than a referral to the hospital hearing department.

If your hearing assessment shows diminished hearing then it will be recommended you start to wear hearing aids.  At this point you can choose between various options.  The first choice if whether you have free hearing aids from the NHS or if you would like to buy yourself a private pair.

Although very good, it may be worth looking at the various options, other than the NHS aids.  For example some of the private aids can have better connectivity to other devices/appliances.  The private aids can also be more tailored to your hearing loss.  Separating the sound spectrum into more, smaller, segments.  You’ll also have a few more options in respect of how visible your hearing aids will be.  Some people like them to be fully enclosed in the ear canal and invisible to others.

NHS hearing aids are supplied free of charge.  However, you will be asked to pay a something towards lost hearing aids.  This will generally be between £50-£70 depending on your health authority.  This will not cover the full cost of replacement.  It is just a contribution.

Private hearing aids vary dramatically in price. Each of the manufacturers produce various different lines with different levels of software within the ranges.  The cheapest programmable hearing aids tend to be from c. £700 for a pair.  This will be for a very similar level of hearing device to the NHS ones.  However, you won’t need to join an NHS waiting list.  You’ll also be able to call up and go, with little notice for any tweaks or filter replacements.  Rather than maybe waiting for an appointment or travelling a long way.

The ‘top end’ hearing aids are generally between £3000.00 – £5000.00 for a pair.  Most hearing aids come with a standard 3 year warranty and many offer a simple and cost effective plan to increase this to 5 years.  It is very important to make sure your hearing aids are insured.  There are some specific policies for hearing aids.  however, most people find listing them as a valuable item on their household policy is acceptable.

Yes, you can.  There are several companies offering specialist policies.  Larger retailers such as Boots Hearing Care also offer policies.

The first place to start, if you have one, is with your household policy provider.  Generally you can list your hearing aids for cover as a ‘special inclusion’.

The earlier you get them, the more you will get out of them.  It is best to see your GP as quickly as possible.

More and more evidence is emerging between the onset of dementia and uncorrected hearing loss. Emphasising the importance of monitoring your hearing and taking timely action.