9 Best TV Ears and Listening Aids for Seniors

Tired of watching television with the closed captioning on? Does your partner hate watching TV with you because you keep the volume way too loud? Look no further! You don't have to miss out on anything with the following products that will help amplify television sounds.

Benefits of TV Hearing Devices

Hearing loss can rear its ugly head in many ways. Sometimes, it can be difficult to communicate with loved ones. Other times, it can almost be impossible to understand directions. And, hearing loss can also impact a relaxing activity such as watching television.

Television can be an escape from the daily grind providing both entertainment and education. When you can't hear the television, it can become frustrating. Some suffering from hearing loss opt to just turn up the volume on the television, but that can damage hearing even further and disturb others. Others decide to stick to closed-captioning requiring constant eyes on the television screen as to not miss anything. Thankfully, there is a better way.

TV amplification devices will help maintain your hearing without causing any additional damage. Most can also be used independently of the TV meaning that the volume can stay put for anyone else in the room. Everyone can enjoy the TV now.

Understanding Connection Types

TV listening devices connect to your television in different ways, and the connection type affects sound quality, range, and ease of setup.

Infrared (IR)

Infrared systems require a direct line of sight between the transmitter and the headset. They work well in a single room but cannot pass through walls or around obstacles. The main advantage is zero interference from Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, or neighboring devices. TV Ears brand headsets typically use infrared technology.

Radio Frequency (RF)

RF systems broadcast through walls and around furniture, giving you a range of up to 300 feet in some models. This means you can walk to the kitchen for a snack without missing a word of dialogue. Sennheiser specializes in RF systems, and they tend to deliver richer audio quality for music and movies. The trade-off is potential interference from other wireless devices in your home.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is convenient if your TV already has it built in, but many older TVs do not. Bluetooth connections can introduce a slight audio delay (called latency), which causes the sound to fall out of sync with the picture. Some newer Bluetooth transmitters use low-latency codecs to minimize this, but it's worth testing before committing.

Differences Between Headphones and Earphones

A lot of the devices you will see on this list will either be distinguished as headphones or earphones. You've probably used the terms interchangeably, but there is a difference.

Headphones

Headphones rest on the outside of your ear. They do not enter the ear canal. They can either go over the head like a headband, covering your ears completely or partially.

Earphones

Earphones are listening devices that are worn inside the ear canal.

Now that you know the difference, it's pretty easy to tell — earphones are in the ears while headphones rest on the head.

Most audiophiles will swear by headphones, claiming that they provide the best sound since the device fully encompasses your ear. However, headphones can be bulky and tiresome to wear for longer periods of time.

Earphones get the sound much closer to your ear. They are also more compact and easier to carry around.

Comfort for Extended Viewing

If you watch television for several hours at a stretch — and many retirees do — comfort becomes just as important as sound quality. Look for headsets that weigh under 2 ounces and use soft ear pads that don't create pressure points. Under-chin designs, like the original TV Ears headset, leave your ears completely open and feel almost weightless. Over-ear designs provide better noise isolation but can get warm after an hour or two. Whichever style you choose, make sure the headband or earpiece is adjustable so it fits your head without squeezing.