Selling your old hearing aids on eBay

@dstraight said:

So, given how expensive the top of the line hearings are it occurred to me that it might make sense to buy something now, then take my time trying out other hearing aids. If I find something I like better then I can buy that pair and unload the old ones on eBay. The idea is appealing to me because this would remove some of the pressure to quickly evaluate and buy pricey hearing aids. Has anyone ever done something like this?

I’m no expert but I think that there is the “personal medical device” bug-a-boo. For lack of better terminology. CPAP or BIPAP devices are in the same category. I am not sure if it is legal to sell used medical devices.

Ebay will let you know if they knock off your auction.

It 's be best government money can buy. And the HA OEM’s have the law makers in their back pocket.

AND I sincerely hope someone with more knowledge than I have on this subject posts a reply here and tells me I am all wrong - because I’d sure like to do this same thing and upgrade my own hearing aids.

If my suspicious about the laws here in the USA are correct - I wonder if I can use Ebay to sell my HA’s to …oh, I don’t know … someone in Brazil?

@iscius said:

I’m no expert but I think that there is the “personal medical device” bug-a-boo. For lack of better terminology. CPAP or BIPAP devices are in the same category. I am not sure if it is legal to sell used medical devices.

Ebay will let you know if they knock off your auction.

It 's be best government money can buy. And the HA OEM’s have the law makers in their back pocket.

AND I sincerely hope someone with more knowledge than I have on this subject posts a reply here and tells me I am all wrong - because I’d sure like to do this same thing and upgrade my own hearing aids.

If my suspicious about the laws here in the USA are correct - I wonder if I can use Ebay to sell my HA’s to …oh, I don’t know … someone in Brazil?

I have bought 2 pair of BTE aids on ebay.

Most sellers will program to your audiogram if you send it to them.
I recently bought a pair of Resound Verso 9s for $900. They work great. Savings of about $5,000.

I would not suggest this route if it’s your first pair as you will likely need some hand holding and several reprogramming’s.

it use to be the black helicopters now it’s the drones you need to worry about.

— Updated —

it use to be the black helicopters now it’s the drones you need to worry about.

@hfinlay10 said:

Hi, I am trying to dispose of a pair of almost-new Oticon Alta miniBTE that my mother paid nearly A$10k for only a year or so ago, but have no idea how to go about it. I have bee a bit discouraged by reports on this forum about problems with programming etc, but it seems ridiculous that I can’t get rid of these for a fair price to someone who needs them. Any clues as to how and where to advertise them appreciated. Thx.

Problem 1 is if she really paid $10,000 it was a terrible rip-off.

Problem 2 is, even if she paid a more reasonable $3000-4000, that included bundled services that you will not be able to include. I would guess you would have to find someone willing to buy used hearing aids and then pay someone local to program them, so $1000 for the pair might be the top-end.

I don’t know anywhere to sell them besides ebay. You might come out better tax-wise to donate them to the Lions Club or the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Just a suggestion. It doesn’t work everywhere. Some HA stores who also sell used, might take yours on consignment. If they are really as new as you say, they should still have some warranty. (maybe) A deal is only a deal if it works for both. IMO

If the hearing aids are only a year old, perhaps you can look into the rip-off your mother suffered at the hands of the audiologist. Is your mom a senior, is she able to make decisions in her own? I’m not a lawyer but you may have a case against this person, if not, you should at least report him to BBB or report the rip-off in social media. So sad for your mom.

@hfinlay10 said:

Hi, I am trying to dispose of a pair of almost-new Oticon Alta miniBTE that my mother paid nearly A$10k for only a year or so ago, but have no idea how to go about it. I have bee a bit discouraged by reports on this forum about problems with programming etc, but it seems ridiculous that I can’t get rid of these for a fair price to someone who needs them. Any clues as to how and where to advertise them appreciated. Thx.

Boy, even with the AUD to USD exchange rate, that does seem a bit steep. Is that the going rate in your area for hearing aids?

@audiogal said:

Boy, even with the AUD to USD exchange rate, that does seem a bit steep. Is that the going rate in your area for hearing aids?

@raymon said:

If the hearing aids are only a year old, perhaps you can look into the rip-off your mother suffered at the hands of the audiologist. Is your mom a senior, is she able to make decisions in her own? I’m not a lawyer but you may have a case against this person, if not, you should at least report him to BBB or report the rip-off in social media. So sad for your mom.

Given the negative response to this, I will follow it up with the audiologist and see what they have to say. Will report back here. Thanks everyone for input.

— Updated —

I apologize for this late reply. I was away.

I do this all the time. Buy and sell used hearing aids (HAs) on EBay.

But here’s the Sticker Shock angle. Those used $10k HAs (or even used $6K HAs) are only worth a fraction of their original value even though they are in perfect, like new condition. Why? Because they have no factory warranty and no professional support/service. Note for buyers: Even if the HAs are listed as New on EBay you still have no factory warranty.

I like to use a 25% estimated value for top brand/current model HAs. In other words if you paid $6000, then expect for it to sell for approximately $1500. Even less when it’s not a top brand or current model.

I collect a signed waiver with the FDA warning that says (my member name) advised them of ####… I put it in my auction and optionally email it to the buyer. They can sign it, scan it and send it back, or take a picture, or snail mail it.

You must take steps to protect yourself when selling online (scammers, certain foreign countries, etc, etc)!!

I sold two sets of old BTEs of mine on eBay. Buyers seemed happy but yes, 20%-25% of retail is a realistic expectation for the seller (and buyer!).

Believing as I do that the market is rarely, if ever, wrong, this really goes to the outrageous OEM pricing.

What other technology doesn’t get better, cheaper and smaller?

And yeah, I know, the audis services are built into the price, but still.

@NYC_Fred said:

Believing as I do that the market is rarely, if ever, wrong, this really goes to the outrageous OEM pricing.

What other technology doesn’t get better, cheaper and smaller?

And yeah, I know, the audis services are built into the price, but still.

I’m certain folks much smarter than me will respond. IMO the easy analogy is if HA’s sold like TV’s maybe the price would be lower.