Is there anywhere I can sell my Mother's hearing aids? She passed away and I know she spent a lot of money on them.

I receive phone calls like this quite frequently. Relatives of the deceased will call me wanting to get money back out of hearing aids their loved one spent money on. Unfortunately used hearing aids aren't worth much. In the Ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom made for that person and don't usually fit another person comfortably. Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aids can be used on someone else if a new mold is made or we change the tubes and tips. This is assuming the response of the aid fits that other person's hearing loss or if it can be reprogrammed to fit that loss.

A hearing aid isn't really an investment per se. It is more of an investment in the person wearing it. It helps the person wearing it hear and communicate. The aid was ordered to fit their hearing loss and that individual's ear. To try to give it to someone else to wear is not a good idea unless it is refit and programmed to the new person by a hearing professional.

Studies have shown that those people with unfit hearing loss make less money while working than those people that hear well. That is what I mean by an investment in yourself. Properly fit hearing aids will help your whole quality of life, whether that is working, recreating or spending time with family or friends.

Hearing aids aren't much of an investment because they get old and wear out. They don't last forever. Hearing aids generally need to be replaced about every five years. New hearing aid circuitry is developed about every 60 days just like computer circuitry and electronic devices. After 5 years or so circuitry and programs become obsolete. This means old hearing aids are almost impossible to repair if there is a circuit related problem. There really isn't a "market" for used hearing aids. Used BTE's are nice to donate to help someone less fortunate hear well because the mold(s) can be replaced. Since hearing aids should be replaced about every 5 years I would not recommend anyone spend much on a used hearing aid especially if it is out of warranty.

Dr. Tia Flynn is a certified audiologist and has been in business for over 10 years. Every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. Flynn provides free hearing screenings at 1601 3rd St. in Coeur d'Alene, (208) 664-2767.