I think we should also be very aware of the brand names which go with British NHS hearing aids. Hearing aids are only lent from the NHS, not given to the patient. Sometimes you can get specific permission to keep outdated hearing aids, but this doesn’t happen with current catalogue aids, at least I’ve never known it in near 20 years of hearing aids. People don’t have to pay for replacement of “lost” hearing aids, at least not the first time around, so they soon realise they can “lose” a pair and sell them. EBay refused to take a stolen item report on these aids as they are not stolen from me personally, they will only take a stolen item report if the trust from which they are stolen calls them. The best I could do would be inform the local hospital to the item location that someone is selling an NHS aid/pair of same.
There are some (limited) legitmate routes to get hold of some of these named hearing aids, but few, so beware if the item is in a UK location and called:
Siemens Reflex (any suffix, L, M, P, SP, DSP)
Phonak Eterna
Oticon Spirit 3
Oticon Spirit Zest
Also some care with Phonak Nios Micro, although these are sold privately elsewhere in the world I am told they are not realeased for private sale in the UK. I am not entirely convinced by the source who told me this, however, so I’d be interested if anyone has more information on this. They show as an available aid in iPFG (UK version) when Eternas do not, but it’s possible Eternas are PFG instruments.
I’d be interested in the way that these things are being seized also, as obviously laws vary around the world, but surely they have to get you a police seizure notice to prove that they are stolen goods? A serial number check should be followed up with proper processes to retain possession of the goods.