How Can You Enjoy Watching TV and Movies Again, Even When You Have Hearing Loss?

Do you feel like you’re missing out on your favorite TV shows and movies? Is heavily relying on captions just not cutting it? 

Some research indicates that 95% of American adults watch TV on a daily basis. The 2019 Nielsen Total Audience Report showed that adults (18 and over) used their TVs for more than 36 hours per week. This includes watching live TV, recorded shows, movies, using Blu-ray or DVD players, game consoles and smart TV apps. 

Why is it difficult for people with hearing loss to listen to TV?

Whether you have hearing loss and you wear hearing aids or you have hearing loss and you do not wear hearing aids, watching TV can be tough. You can learn about what factors play a role in your TV’s quality of sound and which tools you can use to improve the way you enjoy viewing your television. 

Hearing loss and your ears

Anyone who has hearing loss tends to have problems with clarity and volume levels when it comes to watching TV. Hearing aids that are fit correctly, can greatly improve hearing loss and guarantee that the sounds are audible. In some cases, there are people who grapple with both clarity and speech comprehension and reveal that the TV signal is loud, but not completely clear.   

Technology to use for your TV

A TV’s sound quality is based on the accuracy of sound that is reproduced, compared to the original arrangement. All TV shows, movies and video games are mixed in a studio, therefore there is a distinct sound that is created before the public views them. Some of these sounds may align with our personal preferences, but others may not. There are some programs that are designed to have more bass or treble sounds. 

Also, the frequency response, TV distortion and audio format (analog, bitrate, compression, digital, etc.) may each be used to create the sound quality of your TV.        

Your environment and visuals

The amount of distance from your TV, reverberation and background noise also poorly affects the quality of sound. Whether you realize it, or not, everyone uses lip-reading to help with speech comprehension. You are not always going to be able to see people’s faces when they talk.

How to improve your ability to hear the TV  

In addition to using closed captions, the soundbar, or recording programs to re-watch them, Starkey’s Livio AI hearing aids and TV accessories provide dual-radio wireless technology, twin compressors that enhance audibility for quality in speech and sound. You can also use the Thrive Hearing app, which lets users customize their personal TV viewing settings to control sound levels and microphone settings. You can stream TV sounds directly into the device and reduce background noise in order to experience TV at its best.

Binge-watch and hear your favorite shows

The ability to watch TV allows us to escape, learn new information, play games, etc. If you are experiencing hearing loss, stop missing out. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids and get a free hearing aid trial of Starkey’s Livio AI, or choose for a wide selection of other hearing aids that we have readily available.  

Please note that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  

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