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Best used hearing aids to buy on Ebay? Also, regular BTE or BTE with RIC?

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So, about 2010 my wife bought Phonak Exelia Art M models used on Ebay for $450 for the pair. They’ve been great, never failing and with the #13 battery, she gets 10-13 days per battery. She’s been able to get adjustments from an ’s office audiologist for about $25 as needed annually. She has moderate to severe hearing loss, about 50db on low freq. & 70db at high freq. in both ears. This is her 1st and only set of hearing aids ever.

Here’s the problem - the audiologist no longer has the software to do the updates. I’ve been looking into this for her but I think, in the end we’ll have to get newer ones. Being that we’ve had such good success buying these on Ebay and the audiologist indicated that they can program later model Phonak Infinio and Lumity models and we don’t know if there are others they can do.

She’s never gotten caught up in paying thousands for hearing aids the what seems like the trap the suppliers seem to set in draining your pocket regularly. We like independence. She gets new vented domes and thin tubes, etc. from several sources dirt cheap - we hate to get caught up in big buck traps. She is on a Blue Cross Advantage medicare plan and they offer a $499, $699, $999 EACH hearing aids from an outfit called Tru Hearing. From our brief phone calls with them, it sounds like a racket and she’ll be forced into the big $$ adjustments, replacement parts, etc. from them.

So, is there some compelling reason not to get from Ebay again?

Considering buying from Ebay, what is the best way to go here for good hearing and reasonable service and adjustment costs?

Finally, based on her #s listed above, would she be better served by a BTE with a Receiver in the Ear (?) or stay with the thin tubes and the regular BTE type?

Thanks.

EDIT: Ebay has used Phonak Lumity Life L90-RL for about $700 range regularly. However, her Exelia Arts have size 1 thin tubes and all the ones we’ve seen are listed with size 2 on the receivers - I assume the sizing would be too long for her and replacement receivers are about $150 for a set (I think). Maybe this is a reason to just go thin tubes rather than RIC, unless the RIC makes a LARGE improvement in her hearing? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Edited

I’ve bought multiple from eBay (used). About 20% of them did not match the conditions in the listing and I had no problems returning them. I’m saying this because, if you buy from a reputable seller and understand eBay rules, chances of a bad transaction are small.

Buying from eBay (used ones) makes sense if you:
(1) Understand your aids, you are experienced and/or you do not need handholding.. You will need to buy your own receivers, supplies, etc. and ,understand that, if you need a professional fitting, most likely it will be expensive.

eBay is good if you already have HAs and you are looking to get something with the same (similar) specs, i.e. you understand what you need.

And, if they break, you won’t be able to get service unless you pay a local office to help you and pay for the repairs. (if you get the eBay optional warranty, you may be able to get your money back or get what Asurion considers a similar device).

If you are buying new aids:

(1) Seller may disappear in years, months, days or hours.
(2) The seller is probably not an authorized partner for brands like Phonak, Widex, etc. If the hearing aids fail, the warranty won’t apply unless they were purchased from an authorized seller. Widex, for instance, states in their warranty terms that they won’t supply hearing aids to any retailer that doesn’t offer face-to-face service.
Widex Warranty Statement | Widex | Widex1
(3) Fitting: If you expect the seller to program the aids for you, all they can really do is enter the and choose the fitting formula. They can’t test things like dome selection for optimal size and fit, receiver lengths, or perform real measurements—though some manufacturers allow the feedback test to be run remotely. The fitting questions you are asking are part of the fitting process done by a pro.
If you are not doing and you plan to buy aids on eBay, call local to see which one can do the fitting and programming for you. Many (if not most) AuDs offices do not service aids that were not bought from them. And if they do, it will not be cheap ($400++)

Buying online with an online fitting is fine for mild to moderate hearing loss, but not ideal for severe or profound loss, which seems to be the case here. High-power aids like need a proper seal due to the risk of feedback, and that’s something an online fitting can’t achieve perfectly.

Many, if not most, eBay sellers don’t accept returns unless the item is INAD (item not as described).

Based on what you said, Costco is your best option if you want to save money and, there is one near you.

BTE vs. /receivers questions: Without seeing an audiogram, I don’t have any opinions (plus I am not a BTE user).

I don’t see anything inherently wrong with buying used hearing aids from eBay, provided you know exactly what you’re buying and have someone willing and able to program them. In your wife’s case, you’ve already proven the concept—it worked well for over 15 years!

Some things to consider:

• The biggest issue isn’t buying used; it’s finding ongoing programming support. Before purchasing, I’d verify that your audiologist has the software and can program the exact model you’re considering. That’s far more important than whether the aids are new or used.

• Since your wife is getting 10–13 days from a size 13 battery, disposable battery models (or even size 312 models) may actually be the better long-term choice than rechargeable Lumity or Naída aids. Rechargeable batteries eventually wear out, while zinc-air batteries are inexpensive and easy to replace.

• Regarding thin-tube (slim tube) versus : with hearing thresholds around 50 in the lows and 70 dB in the highs, I would lean toward RIC because it generally offers better high-frequency amplification, less feedback, and more flexibility if her hearing changes. That said, if your wife has been happy with thin-tube BTEs, there’s no rule saying she has to switch. A well-programmed BTE often performs just as well for many people.

• Receiver length (Size 1 vs. Size 2) isn’t a deal breaker. Receivers are replaceable, and many dispensers keep different lengths in stock. I wouldn’t let that alone determine which hearing aid to buy. I looked on eBay and noticed some Lumity L90-RL sellers even let you choose the receiver wire length when ordering.

I would also avoid buying hearing aids that are more than one generation old unless you know the programming software is still supported. As you’ve already discovered, many older hearing aids continue to work perfectly, but eventually the programming software disappears. Buying something like a Phonak Lumity—or even an Infinio if the price is right—gives you much better odds of having programming support for years to come.

Also, don’t assume RIC automatically means “better hearing.” It doesn’t. RICs generally provide better high-frequency performance, less occlusion, and easier receiver replacement, but a properly fitted thin-tube BTE can produce essentially the same hearing outcomes for many users. The fitting and programming are usually much more important than the style of the hearing aid.

That said, in my experience, RIC hearing aids are generally more comfortable than thin-tube BTEs.

@TJN said:

Since your wife is getting 10–13 days from a size 13 battery, disposable battery models (or even size 312 models) may actually be the better long-term choice than rechargeable Lumity or Naída aids. Rechargeable batteries eventually wear out

Fully agree with this: Do not buy used aids with rechargeable batteries unless the device is a very recent model at an awesome price (I bought my SmartRICs 440 about a year after they were released for $300 + receivers) or you can buy the Asurion/eBay optional 2 yr warranty.

You have gotten some great advice. I self programmed used hearing aids from eBay from the start of my hearing aid journey. Self programming opens the doors to so many opportunities.

Maybe you were lucky on that first set of aids??? Buying the correct size aids for your wife’s hearing loss is critical. Too powerful or too weak will not do. They have to fit her hearing loss.

It sounds like you have a fitter that will take care of you, that’s pretty special these days. Most fitters will not program used or other aids. Back when I was doing this I could not find anyone that would program used hearing aids so I learned how to self program. If you can it is very rewarding.

Big thanks to all of you for providing much good info. I’m a retired elect. engr. by trade and definitely a DIYer, as is my wife. So, we get the FREE from Sam’s Club and then take it to the audiologist.

After reading about the BIG job to replace rechargeable batteries, it sounds like we should go to regular batteries. She uses the Power 1 size 13 and gets nearly a year out of the 60 pack off of Amazon for about $18/year! That avoids ever dealing with recharge problems.

Based on her hearing (50db low freq. and 70db high freq.), which Phonaks should I buy on Ebay with REGULAR BATTERIES - preferably size 13s?

Thanks in advance.

@eck said:

Based on her hearing (50db low freq. and 70db high freq.), which Phonaks should I buy on Ebay with REGULAR BATTERIES - preferably size 13s?

That hearing loss can be fitted with aids as well as aids. If you are driven to the size 13 batteries the Nadia SP is a good choice for her. It’s overkill for her loss but would be fine.

Maybe you should pursue getting the Phonak Target software and learn how to program her aids. It’s a little challenging at first but very rewarding. Then you will know what aids she needs and be able to buy the correct aids for her. No need for an audiologist or fitter.

I’d also go projects for anything brought on eBay, save a lot of $$ & time, it’d be good to get later models like Marvel platform onwards, as mentioned the style with size 13 is Nadia M- SP and Audeo M-13 and Audeo P-13 so on, I think it’s a great idea to get the software, because there you can check all the available size 13 battery models across all platforms.

In reply to @TJN

@TJN said:

Buying something like a Phonak Lumity—or even an Infinio if the price is right

Infinio isn’t available in disposable battery versions. Go for a marvel or Lumity if disposable is important. Audeo and naida in both of those platforms seemed to be common and well regarded.

They will be programmable via Target software (ask about it in the category here) and a noahlink wireless adapter. (Get one via eBay or alibexpress, etc. — ver 1 is functionally identical to v2, so I wouldn’t pay more for a v2.)

WH

In reply to @WhiteHat

You are correct regarding the Infinio not taking batteries. Phonak usually puts out the replaceable battery models a year or so later.

With her hearing loss I would think she could get 4 to 6 days out of a 312 battery aid. I think I saw something that said the Sphere will not come in a battery model because the Chip is too much of a battery hog.

In reply to @eck

I’m confused by the Phonak model names. It seems that, for instance, on their website, Phonak Marvel User Guides that there is a Nadia, Sky, Audeo, etc. and yet if I look at their latest list Hearing Aids | Phonak and pick , I get the Nadia Lumity, Sky Lumity, Nadia Paradise Naída Link Marvel, Sky Marvel and Sky Link M. It seems elsewhere I get a reoccurring use of Nadia, Paradise, etc. Then, when looking on Ebay, some will have the long names like Nadia Paradise P90R-L, etc. and some just seem to have a shorter name like Nadia P90R-L. Can someone explain how to decode what is what?

Just to add another data point…

My hearing loss in my left ear is around 60 in the 4,000–8,000 Hz range, and I’ve been very impressed with my backup pair of Elehear Beyond Pro hearing aids. Even after being programmed to my hearing loss, I still have plenty of gain available.

While the Beyond Pro is only -labeled for perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, I suspect that some people with hearing loss bordering on moderately severe—particularly if most of the loss is in the higher frequencies—may find they have more usable amplification available than the labeling might suggest. The key is getting a good acoustic seal with the appropriate dome to minimize feedback and allow the hearing aid to deliver their available gain.

Of course, everyone’s is different, and I’m not suggesting they’ll work for everyone. But based on my own experience, I wouldn’t automatically rule them out simply because of the FDA labeling if the hearing loss is near the upper end of the moderate range.

For comparison, I also have a -issued pair of Phonak Audeo Lumity L90-RL prescription hearing aids. In standardized HEARadvisor testing, the Beyond Pro actually scored higher overall, particularly for speech in noise, than my four-year-old Lumity L90-RLs. That certainly doesn’t mean they’ll outperform Phonaks for everyone, but it does show just how capable some of the newer devices have become.

Comparison: https://www.hearadvisor.com/products/compare/elehear-beyond-pro-vs-phonak-audeo-lumity1

Bonus… I picked up an open-box pair for $299, which makes them an incredible value.

However, the Beyond Pro aids are rechargeable and aids - and it sounds like you are looking for a Thin-tube replaceable battery .

Edited

In reply to @eck

To answer you Phonak question…

Naída Paradise P90-R as an example:

  • Naída = the product family. These are Phonak’s high-power hearing aids for people with more severe hearing loss.

  • Paradise = the technology platform (generation). The generations have gone roughly:

    • Venture (V)

    • Belong (B)

    • Marvel (M)

    • Paradise (P)

    • Lumity (L)

    • Infinio (I)

  • 90 = the technology level. Generally:

    • 90 = Premium

    • 70 = Advanced

    • 50 = Standard

    • 30 = Essential

  • R = Rechargeable.

  • RL = Rechargeable with a built-in (on models that offer it).

The same technology platform is used across several different product families:

  • Audeo = (receiver-in-canal) for mild to severe hearing loss.

  • Naída = Power for severe to profound hearing loss.

  • Sky = Pediatric hearing aids.

  • Virto = Custom in-the-ear hearing aids.

  • = For single-sided deafness.

So, for example:

  • Audeo Lumity L90-RL

  • Naída Lumity L90-PR

  • Sky Lumity L90

…all use the Lumity platform but are designed for different users.

As for eBay listings, sellers often shorten the names. A listing that says Naída P90-R is simply dropping the word “Paradise” because the “P” already tells you it’s the Paradise generation. Likewise, L90 means Lumity, M90 means Marvel, and I90 means Infinio.

I think I have that right? However, I have the L90-RL and they do not have a telecoil. They are the life-proof models - dust, water and sweat resistant. Don’t worry I get confused by all of their models too.

Here is a link to the current Phonak BTE model User Guides: https://www.phonak.com/content/dam/celum/phonak/master-assets/documents/hearing-instruments/lumity/naida/user-guides/ph-user-guide-naida-l-sp-l-m-92x125-029-1473-02-en.pdf3

In reply to @TJN

You piqued my interest with your Elehear Beyond Pro missive. So, if we were to buy them on Ebay, who will do the programming? And for what cost? How’s your batteries holding out? How long have you had them? Do you do any programming on them yourself?

Thanks once again. So many people have quickly come up with such good info!

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