What Devices Can You Use To Hear TV Better?

Research shows that as many as forty-eight million Americans suffer from various degrees of hearing loss. While many are between the ages of sixty-five and seventy-four, hearing difficulties can occur at any age. Below are five devices you can use to hear the TV better.

Hearing Aids

The hearing aids used today are smaller yet vastly more powerful. If you’re using an older model (ten years+) you may want to consider upgrading since the newest hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity built-in, and as a result, can collect sound automatically from various digital devices. The majority of televisions sold today are “smart” which means they too have Bluetooth built-in and will be able to communicate with your hearing aid. And the sound quality is so high that you won’t have to worry about annoyances such as delays or echoes.  When you receive a call while watching television, answering it will automatically switch from television audio to smartphone audio, and after hanging up it will switch back to the TV programming.

Closed Captioning

One of the simplest ways to boost television sound is a feature called closed captioning. Starting in 2006, the U.S. Congress required every television program to show audio content along with text on the screens, and this includes satellite distributors, online providers and cable operators. The captions must be accurate and match the words that are spoken as well as background sounds. They are essentially subtitles that are designed to provide an accurate transcription of the words which are spoken, and can usually be accessed via the TV remote by choosing closed captioning in the device settings.

Loop System

Also referred to as the audio induction loop, its power is derived from magnetic wireless fields which are generated via a miniature hub that has been plugged inside the television’s audio output. The listener will wear a loop around their neck that is compatible with both cochlear implants and hearing aids, which will then be able to detect the audio. The technology differs from Bluetooth but is similar, yet the hearing aid must use a telecoil for sound access.

Wireless Headsets

If you don’t mind wearing a headset, they allow for private listening and can be wirelessly connected. For those that have smart televisions, Bluetooth is widely considered the best technology standard because all you need is a headset that is compatible. Additional wireless technologies consist of infrared or radio frequency, which requires a base that directly plugs into a television headphone jack where the signal can be transmitted to your headphones.

Soundbars

A soundbar is a horizontal speaker which can usually be found just below or above the TV. They are a great way to increase audio and are the result of television technology becoming thinner. They are usually separate devices that can house numerous speakers, and the most advanced models can simulate the surround sound effect which is felt in movie theaters but is far more affordable. Additionally, most soundbars are compatible with Bluetooth which means that you can stream music using your computer, tablet or smartphone.