Hearing Aids Bought Abroad: Getting Help in Israel

Start with what you are wearing

You made the move, or came back after years away, and your hearing aids came with you. They were fitted in another country, perhaps by a clinic you trusted for a long time. Now something needs attention: the sound seems weaker, a dome is worn, the charger is acting up, or you simply want someone local to look at them.

This guide will not promise that every device can be handled locally, because that depends on the make, the model and the problem. What it will do is help you arrive at the first conversation prepared, so the next steps are clearer for everyone.

G-Sound provides clear information and personal guidance in English for people exploring hearing-aid options in Israel.

Step 1: Identify the make, model and style

"A small one behind the ear" is not enough for anyone to help you properly. Find out exactly what you wear:

• Look at the device. The manufacturer's name and a model name or code are often printed on the casing, under the battery door or near the charging contacts. A magnifying glass and good light help.
• Check your paperwork. Purchase receipts, fitting reports and the user booklet normally name the model and style.
• Check the app. If your hearing aids connect to a phone app, look in its settings or "about" screen.
• Note the style. A thin wire into the ear with a small dome or tip, a behind-the-ear device with a tube or earmould, or a custom device inside the ear? Our guide to hearing-aid types explains the differences.
• Note the power source. Rechargeable, or disposable batteries? If batteries, which size is printed on the packet?

Write all of this on one sheet of paper or in a note on your phone. You will use it again and again.

Step 2: Gather the records you brought with you

• Your most recent hearing test (audiogram), with the date.
• Fitting or programming notes, if the clinic gave you any.
• Purchase documents, including the date of purchase and the seller's name.
• Any service history: repairs, replaced parts, previous problems.

Older results are still useful background. If your last test is not recent, ask whether a new hearing test makes sense as part of the process.

Step 3: Everyday issues worth mentioning

Many everyday questions are about upkeep, supplies or settings rather than a fault inside the device. When you get in touch, mention anything like this:

• A wax filter that looks blocked, or a dome that has hardened or cracked.
• A tube on a behind-the-ear device that has become stiff or discoloured.
• Charging contacts that look dirty, or a charger that does not seem to start.
• Bluetooth or app pairing that dropped after a phone update.
• A device that went quiet after heat, sweat or a splash.

Whether a particular device can be checked, supplied or adjusted locally depends on its make and model. That is why Step 1 matters.

G-Sound offers Philips and Oticon hearing aids. If your device is from one of these brands, mention it at the start. If it is from another brand, say so too, so the options can be discussed early.

Step 4: Supplies, chargers and plugs

Domes, wax filters, tubes and receivers come in different types and sizes, so a part that "looks about right" may not be the right one.

• Bring an old part, or a clear photo of it next to a coin for scale.
• Check the battery size on your old packet.
• Chargers: check whether the plug fits Israeli sockets and read the rating printed on the power adapter. Use a proper travel adapter and follow the charger manufacturer's instructions.

For an overview, see hearing-aid accessories and connectivity.

Step 5: Check your purchase terms

Some faults cannot be solved with cleaning, supplies or settings: a device may stop working entirely, or may have been dropped or exposed to water. The way forward then depends on the brand and on where and when the device was bought.

Read what your purchase documents say about repairs outside the country of purchase, and check the manufacturer's information for that country. Do not assume that terms from abroad apply in Israel. If a laboratory check may be needed, ask G-Sound about the possible next steps for your device.

Step 6: Before you contact G-Sound

A short, organised first message saves time. Have this ready:

1. Make, model and style (from Step 1).
2. Rechargeable or battery, and battery size.
3. Where and roughly when the devices were bought.
4. What exactly is happening: one ear or both, constant or on and off, since when.
5. What you have already tried.
6. Your location in Israel.

Ask G-Sound which options may apply to your device and your location. If you are arranging this for a parent while you live abroad, see arranging hearing care for a parent from abroad. New arrivals may also find hearing aids for olim useful, and making aliyah with hearing aids covers what to pack before the move.

Thinking about a new device instead?

Sometimes the honest conclusion is that an older device is near the end of its useful life. That is a decision to make calmly, with current test results and a clear picture of your daily needs. Our guide on when to replace a hearing aid sets out the questions to weigh, and the hearing aids overview explains styles and brands.