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👓 Where to donate eyeglasses and hearing aids
Old eyeglasses and hearing aids can be cleaned, refurbished or recycled to help people who can't afford new ones. Many optical shops and service clubs keep collection boxes, and several national programs take them by mail.
Before you go
- Put glasses in a case or wrap them so they don't get crushed in a drop box.
- Hearing aids of any age or condition are usually welcome, even if they no longer work.
- Leave contact lenses unopened; opened lenses can't be reused.
- Ask your optometrist or audiologist whether they collect old pairs.
8 local places we've checked take eyeglasses and hearing aids, plus 3 national programs.
National and mail-in programs
These take donations from anywhere in the country, by mail, at partner drop-off points, or through local chapters. Check each one's rules first.
NationwideCall to confirm
Lions Clubs eyeglass and hearing aid recycling
- How: Drop off at a participating Walmart Vision Center or local Lions club, or mail to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center.
- Rules: Use the Lions Club Locator to find a local club and the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center finder for a mailing address. The page doesn't say whether sunglasses, readers or cases are wanted; call to confirm.
- Used eyeglasses
- Unopened contact lenses (mail to a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center)
- Used hearing aids of any age, brand or model (through Hearing Charities of America)
Nationwide
Hearing Aid Project (Sertoma / Hearing Charities of America)
- How: Mail hearing aids to Hearing Aid Project, c/o Sertoma International, 20 W. 14th Ave., Ste. 135, North Kansas City, MO 64116.
- Rules: Office has limited on-site staff; call 816-333-8300 before visiting in person. Run through Sertoma International, a 501(c)(3) (EIN 63-0655922).
- Hearing aids regardless of age or condition
Nationwide
Starkey Cares Program (Starkey Hearing Technologies)
- How: Mail to Starkey, Attn: Starkey Cares Program, 6700 Washington Avenue South, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.
- Rules: Run by the hearing aid manufacturer, not the Starkey Hearing Foundation (which stopped accepting hearing aid donations in April 2021). Aids are cleaned and refurbished for people in need or salvaged for parts. No donation letter is sent.
- Hearing aids and accessories for recycling
Local places, by state
Don't see your state? Open your region from the map and search for "eyeglasses and hearing aids".
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