If you have old hearing aids lying around, you don’t need to throw them away. Whether it’s an old-fashioned hearing aid, a pre-loved device, or old hearing aid batteries, there are responsible ways to reuse, recycle, or donate them. In Australia, and specifically at Amplifon clinics, hearing aids can be donated and reused through programs with NextSense and EARS Inc, which make it possible to give your old devices a second life while helping people in developing countries address their hearing loss.
Yes! Many Australians are choosing to donate their old hearing aids instead of letting them go to waste. Amplifon clinics in Australia, collect pre-loved devices, check and service them, and send them to programs in run by NextSense and EARS Inc. In Samoa, volunteer audiologists at NextSense fit donated devices to children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to hearing devices.
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Want to learn more about this program? Contact your local clinic to learn more about donating your old devices.
Samoa is a remote South Pacific island with limited resources for children with hearing loss. The NextSense program was established in 2008 by audiologists Professor Philip Newall AM and Cristy Newall, who have travelled to Samoa over 24 times since the programs inception to donate their time and drive the program.
Across our Amplifon, Bay Audio and Attune brands in Australia, we have been supporting this program by providing pre-loved hearing aids, which volunteer audiologists use to fit those with hearing loss. The program is also supported by one of our Attune audiologists who has volunteered at the clinic in Samoa, and by business support provided through IT resouces. Amplifon has also donated over 200 hearing aid devices to the program and will continue to provide donations. You can take part by donating your old hearing aids.
Visit your local clinic for more information
EARS Inc (Education, Audiology and Research towards Service) is an Australian not-for-profit dedicated to improving hearing health in developing countries. They work together with local governments, hospitals, and communities to provide training, set up sustainable hearing services, and deliver essential equipment, empowering people to hear, communicate, and connect with the world around them. We recently donated 30 pairs of hearing aids to support their work.
1. Help people with hearing impairments hear for the first time
2. Reduce electronic waste
If your hearing aids are too old to donate, you can still recycle them. Hearing aids contain valuable materials, including metals and plastics, which can be repurposed. Many clinics and recycling programs in Australia accept old devices and batteries.
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