I would hope that the intelligent consumers in North Idaho would not fall for these common practices. I recommend that any hearing impaired person keep a working pair or a spare hearing aid. Anything can happen at any time. If you lose a hearing aid, you will need a spare until a new one is ordered. If you damage a hearing aid (I have had a rash of dogs eating my patients' hearing aids lately), you would have your spare to rely on until your aid was replaced. Please keep your aids where your dogs can't get a hold of them.

Over the years, I have had many patients realize how important it is to have a spare aid. I feel sorry for those patients who come in for a hearing aid repair, and when I ask them if they have a spare aid they can wear until their aid comes back they sheepishly tell me they traded their working spare in for money off their current aid.

Even if you wear extended wear hearing aids, it is good to have a reliable spare. It is also good to have a spare if you are traveling, or on vacation. Not being able to hear can ruin an otherwise good time.

Why would a dispensing office offer a trade-in discount? The reasons are many, but don't sit well with me. Here are a few of these common sales tactics:

1. Money off. A mark-up has most likely been built into the price of the hearing aid to be able to offer this. Be assertive and try asking for the same discount without trading in your spares!

2. Inability to compare your new aid to your previous aid. You should want a marked improvement with a new aid. How can you tell if you traded your old one in?

3. To sell you an upgrade or new technology before it is needed. A quality hearing aid should give you five years of service. Some offices have a three-year upgrade agenda to make more money.

I won't take spare aids from people, when they offer them to me when they get new ones, because I truly believe they need to keep a working pair or spare. Certainly donate older aids, but only if you have a working pair or spare. Donated aids can be used to help the needy in our community.

Dr. Tia Flynn is a certified audiologist and has been in business for over 14 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. Visit www.affordablehearinginc.com for a free copy of the consumers guide to hearing aids and watch helpful videos.