Once upon a time, hearing loss meant a sacrifice of comfort, connection, and a life less-lived. Thanks to new scientific developments and technology, that’s no longer the case. Now, with the proper tools, hearing loss can be nothing more than a speed bump in life’s adventure.
From hearing amplifiers to special doorbells, the options to keep you connected to life and the ones you love are endless. We’ve pulled together some of the best and highest rated products available. From timeless classics to the newest in modern development, you’ll find everything you need here… No ear trumpets allowed.
Hearing Amplifiers
Hearing amplifiers have been around for over 100 years, but they’ve come a long way since then. Now, these small, personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs) are discrete and highly regarded as the first step toward combating hearing loss.
PSAPs fit on or in the ear. Through a powerful microphone, they pick up typically hard to hear sounds and transmit them directly into the ear of the wearer. This allows those with hearing loss to feel less isolated and continue on with their normal, everyday life.
Hearing amplifiers come in a wide range of styles. BTE (Behind The Ear) is the most common hearing amplifier, with RIC (Receiver In Ear) growing steadily in popularity. If you’re looking for complete discretion, a CIC (Completely In Canal) model is virtually undetectable to others.
Modern advances make these hearing amplifiers streamlined with customizable fitting, energy efficiency to conserve battery usage, and bluetooth compatibility. Additionally, most hearing amplifiers are approved for HSA and FSA purchases, making them easy on your pocket book, too.
Alarm Clocks for the hearing-impaired
As anyone with hearing loss knows, finding a way to wake up in the morning can be a real challenge. Traditional alarm clocks have a maximum volume that doesn’t quite meet the mark, and can’t be depended on for the hearing impaired. Sleeping with hearing amplifiers is not recommended, but luckily, there are several options available for a great wake-up call.
These alarm clocks have all the bells and whistles and many settings to choose from. They can allow you to wake up without disturbing your partner, though most come with an extra loud alarm option if you’re sleeping alone or you and your partner are both hard of hearing. Some include flashing lights, for those who don’t wish to be awoken with vibration or noise.
Additionally, many of these alarm clocks have state of the art smart technology so you can pair them with your smartphones for incoming call alerts. Other special features include motion generated night lights, easy to read LED displays, intuitive snooze, and more.
The most highly recommended alarm clock for hearing loss is the Bellman & Symfon Alarm Clock Pro. This alarm gives you all the best options available, like an extra loud alarm, shaking the bed, and flashing lights. It also comes with extra features, such as a night light, intuitive snooze, and smartphone compatibility.
For more recommendations, read our dedicated post on alarm clocks for people with hearing loss.
Doorbells for people with hearing problems
The inability to hear the doorbell can lead to missed encounters. Average doorbells emit a sound frequency that is too low to be heard by the millions affected by hearing loss. Doorbells for hearing loss typically have an additional feature, in combination with a traditional doorbell sound.
A doorbell with an amplified sound is the perfect option if you live alone and have no pets. The Byron 100M extra loud doorbell is portable for up to 100 meters and includes a flashing light. This easy fix can be transported around the house and the flashing light gives you the reassurance that you won’t miss another important guest.
Find more options, read our blog post on doorbells for people with hearing loss.
TV Speakers for people with hearing loss
There are many devices that can help amplify the sound of your television, but conventional sound amplifiers like sound bars and surround sound systems aren’t practical if you’re living with someone or you have neighbors close by. Personalized wireless speakers or headsets can allow for those with hearing loss to enjoy watching television without compromising the comfort of others.
The audiologist-recommended Audio Fox Wireless TV Speakers allow you to hear your television with amplified sound from two speakers. These wireless speakers rest on the back of your favorite lounging spots and allow for personalized volume control. They are simple to set up and allow you to enjoy your shows while also being tuned into your environment.
If a headset is more your style, the Simolio Wireless TV Headset is the way to go. This discreet headset is rechargeable and is specifically made for those with hearing loss. The sound quality is completely customizable, allowing you to adjust for music, dialogue, or even to make certain sound wave tones stronger.
Another option is the Neosonic NW10, which allows you to place a receiver next to the television, which sends sound straight to your headphones.
For more options, read our dedicated post on the best TV speakers for people with hearing loss.
Telephones
Having a way to connect with others is an important part of our everyday lives. Often times, when those with hearing loss don’t have a compatible telephone, communicating with others gets abandoned out of frustration. To make sure that you can still make important calls, several companies have created phones with extra loud ringers, amplified incoming sound, and conversation captioning.
The Clarity Extra Loud Cordless Phone has a lot of bells and whistles. Extra large caller ID screen and large, easy to use buttons make this phone one of the most user-friendly on the market. The Boost button allows the incoming volume to go from normal to amplified, making it perfect as a shared phone between people with a varying degree of hearing ability. As an extra bonus, this phone comes with a belt clip and a backup battery, so even when the power is out, the phone can still function.
If conversation captioning is what you’re looking for, look no further than the Hamilton CapTel 2400i. This phone has a large touch screen and the ability to store 95 names and phone numbers for easy access. The conversation captioning displayed on the touch screen during a phone call can be turned off and on with the push of a button. The built-in answering machine means you never miss a call, with captioned voice messages.
Smoke Detectors for people with hearing problems
When it comes to your safety in your home, fire protection should never be overlooked. A smoke alarm for the hearing impaired is a quick purchase that can give you a lot of peace of mind.
For a hard-wired smoke detector, the First Alert Hearing Impaired Smoke Detector is the best on the market. This detector has a strobe light, so it provides both light and sound in case of an emergency. Being able to detect both smoke and carbon monoxide is a big plus. This detector can even distinguish between the two, and offers different sounds and strobe light patterns dependent on the emergency.
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