We are often asked whether or not it is possible to wear hearing aids that were used by someone else, such as a family member who has passed away. Hearing aids are customized for an individual wearer based on the results of the hearing test, individual listening needs and other factors that a hearing health care professional will consider. If the hearing instrument is a custom, in-the-ear product, manufacturers are not generally able to remake the hearing aid to fit anyone other than the original wearer.
If the used hearing aid is a digital hearing instrument and it is a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) model, it may be possible to obtain a custom earmold for the new wearer, and make the programming changes necessary for the aid to fit the hearing loss. This is only possible if the amplification needs of the hearing loss are within the capabilities of the hearing aid. In most cases, there will be costs associated with re-fitting and re-programming an older instrument.
The first step in discussing appropriate amplification choices is always to consult an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. He or she will test your hearing and present all the options for amplification to you. We would recommend bringing the used hearing aids with you to the appointment, where the professional will be able to determine whether or not they will work for your particular hearing loss.
