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It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants & Assistive Listening Devices

Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Hearing Loss Association of America has a video about Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants and Assistive Listening Devices as part of their Video Series: Learn About Hearing Loss.

Practical Advice When Choosing a Hearing Aid

Your Healthcare team will assist when it comes time to choose your hearing aid. Make sure you know what your expectations are before selecting a hearing aid.

  • Do you understand your hearing loss?
  • What do you think the hearing aid will do for you?
  • What types of hearing aids are available?
  • What unique features do hearing aids have and what can they do for you?
  • How much will they cost?
  • Is there an adjustment period for the use of a hearing aid?

Once you have answered these questions and purchased a hearing aid, you may be surprised at all the new sounds you hear. They may be very loud, strange and different from what you remember them to be. Good advice is to adjust to your hearing aid slowly:

  • Start with quiet chats in small groups, then gradually move into larger groups.
  • Wear your hearing aid every day. This daily usage will give you more practice, with better results.

Also, remember that your hearing aid requires daily care. As with any device, lack of daily maintenance will shorten the life and only create frustration with poor performance. Hearing aids are very expensive. Know what you want, take care of them, and they will assist you with many of your communication needs.

Donating Hearing Aids

So you recently upgraded your hearing aids? Finally made the leap from analog to digital technology? What will you do with your old hearing aids?

Rather than putting them in a drawer to gather dust or throwing them away, you can donate them to a non-profit organization and receive a significant tax write-off. Your older models can be refurbished and, in many cases, provided to low income children and adults who would otherwise be unable to afford hearing aids. The Hear NOW program accepts donations and has provided more than 65,000 children and adults with hearing aids when they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford them.

In addition, the Deaf Service Center in your community may offer hearing aid donation programs. Many local Lions Club chapters also accept hearing aid donations. Contact them for more information.  

More Resources