If you’re experiencing hearing loss, tasks such as watching TV can be difficult, especially if you’re trying to enjoy your favorite show with your family. Not everyone in your family will appreciate the television volume at high levels if they’re not hearing impaired. So what can you do? There are assistive devices on the market that can aid you while you’re watching television without having to buy new hearing aids or a new television set.
TV Ears
TV Ears connects to both digital and analog televisions. TV ears connect to analog televisions by using infrared technology. This device has been around for years and although it is a headset it is lightweight and easy to use. If you’re still holding on to your older television, this listening device may be your best bet. There are two versions of TV Ears (one for digital television sets and the other for analog) to ensure that you’re purchasing the version that works best with your television.
Hearing Loop
Hearing loops are installed in large public places like meeting halls, courtrooms, concert halls, and other high traffic buildings. Sounds are transmitted into telecoil devices like hearing aids equipped with telecoils or other instruments with similar technology. These devices are lightweight and can be installed in the home for easy tv listening.
Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
If you live alone wireless Bluetooth headphones may be a good option for you. Bluetooth headphones connect directly into Bluetooth enabled television sets. Newer hearing aids can come with Bluetooth capability, speak to your audiologist for more details. If you’re looking for a molded headphone solution, most hearing health clinics work with manufacturers that make this type of technology. Bluetooth technology can also assist with audiobooks on tablets or smartphones as well as hands-free phone calls.
Hearing Amplifiers
Hearing amplifiers come with headphones and a built-in microphone. Hearing amplifiers, enhance sounds within a certain distance. This distance is typically 100 to 200 meters. Using headphones, the sounds around the room are transmitted right to your ear canal. These devices are handheld and can be clipped to your waist or belt for ease of use.
Personal Sound Magnifiers
Personal sound magnifiers are typically plastic devices that attach to your ears. The magnifiers intend to deflect more sound to the ears. These devices don’t use amplifiers or infrared technology to transmit sounds making them affordable but there is no measure on how effective the level of sound is amplified to your ears.
Some websites and hearing retail outlets offer to have a free trial run of products and services before you make your investment. If you’re unsure that you want to make an investment in your television hearing health or just want to try a streaming service give it a trial run, you never know you may just love the quality so much you’ll spend more time at home.
Some completely in the ear or in the canal hearing devices can get uncomfortable and hearing specialists have developed these assistive devices with this fact in mind. If you’re finding that the world around you is a little less loud than it was before, you should go see your audiologist or make an appointment to have a hearing screening as soon as possible.
Sometimes an adjustment to your devices can make all the difference in your quality of life. If you’re looking for a comfortable solution to the television watching with your family, amplification systems like TV Ears or personal amplification devices maybe your best option. Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with a hearing-related health issue like deafness people of all ages can benefit from some of these devices.