Are used hearing aids a bad idea and if not does anyone know of a source?

Hearing aids were retail 350 dollars.. when I ran my hearing aid office during the 70s and 80s... factory cost to me was 110 to 140 per instrument...earmolds cost from 5 to 10 dollars per each.. These were all analog type instruments and when sold with several week trial period, there was never a problem with their use as long as we fitted them properly to those hard of hearing individuals whose loss was correctable to some degree with amplification. Today's cost of 800 to 1500 dollars per aid denies a very large percentage of persons with correctable losses
the help that amplification provides.

We have audiologists and Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS), all licensed by their state government and working out of modern offices with more audiometric diagnosistic equipment that we ever had a few decades ago..we used a Beltone console audiometer for testing and an IAC sound treated booth for a controlled environment for the tests... each and every aid went out on trial... there are some folks who can benefit from amplification but, having tried an aid, decide for their own reasons that they will not wear one.

It's always been interesting to me, that audiologists untill the 1970s were frowned upon if they went to work for a hearing aid sales office.. ASHA.. the American Speech and Hearing Association had their rules of conduct, so to speak and audiologists were pretty much located in hospital settings, or speech and hearing sites through out the land... I have no suggestions that might help any one at all..simply comparing the changing times and the high cost of hearing aids..

Theyoungest: I'd be interested in what you finally decided to do about your mother's hearing aids.
N.

In addition to these excellent suggestions, try Hear Now at the Starkey Foundation. They maintain a national hearing aid bank:

Definately, Lions Club, Local Senior Friendship Centers, also, Ear drs (otologists and they mite put u in touch with their med association. Hey if it works, tell us cuz i can't get my mom to wear one. She is alittle selfconcious and of course stubborn. good luck Karen

youngest: Good suggestions above, but also talk to a local audiologist. We have an amazing audiologist here in town. He lives here and has an independent company. He is very highly though of and if you could talk to someone like that in your community you might get some great guidance. Good luck, Cattails

We are about to donate my Dad's hearing aids, so this is useful for me to hear. There will need to be an audiologist involved to calibrate them for the next person's situation, but the biggest expense is the devices themselves.

Hearing aids DO WORK, and they are a lifesaver to many an hearing-impaired person.
Start with an audiologist or hearing aid supplier. Get an audiogram ( print it ).
The local Kiwanis Club or Rotary Club will gladly "hear" your case and may offer to purchase the necesssary hearing aids for your mother.
To answer your Q.: Yes, used hearing aids may be adequate. Your local county office of the Dept.of Health may be able to help. Maybe not. I'd go for new hearing aids......so much progress has been achieved with the newer models. It's worth the financing.

check with Lion's club. They collect used hearing aids as well as used eye glasses. There is an organization here locally-Delta Club- that also collects used hearing aids. Don't know if they are a national club. Good Luck
Small independent hearing aid companies offer free trial for a month ,plus they can be purchased on a monthly payment plan.
Stay away from large national companies,They are a rip off. I know from personal experience. They broke my husband's hearing aid and wouldn't admit it.