TV and Your Hearing Aids

The Struggle of Watching TV with Hearing Loss

Watching TV with your family, or significant other, after a long day can be relaxing and nice. You can cry, laugh, be engrossed by the flutter of the show or movie on television. In some instances watching TV with others can raise disputes over the volume level. You may not be able to hear any of the dialogue, while others tell you to turn the volume down. If this is the case in your household, perhaps it’s time for you to get a hearing test. 

Symptoms of Hearing Loss   

By the age of 65, there is a one in three chance that a person will encounter hearing loss. By the age of 70, only 30 percent of people will actually benefit from the use of hearing aids. One of the most common signs of hearing loss is raising the volume on your television. If the volume is normally at 25 percent, but you need to increase it up to 50 percent, there’s a possibility that you need hearing aids. 

Other suggestions that indicate you may need hearing aids include the need for others to repeat things during conversation, decrease in socializing, and difficulties with hearing in certain surroundings. Wearing hearing aids can show mental, physical, and social improvements. You can also turn the volume on your TV to a lower setting, so that everyone that you watch with can hear at a convenient level. 

Assistive Listening Devices for Your TV

Based on how severe your hearing loss is, there are some alternative methods to watch and hear your TV. You may use:
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• Hearing aids: This is the best choice for anyone who has hearing loss in multiple circumstances, not just to hear the TV. Please do not ignore any signs of hearing loss. The longer you wait, the more irreversible damage can be done to what hearing abilities you still have left. Wearing hearing aids makes it easier to watch TV. You can adjust the volume on your hearing aid devices rather than the TV set. Many hearing aids use Bluetooth®, so you can stream sounds into your hearing aid devices instead of blasting the sound throughout your home.  

 

• A portable speaker: The entire family can use this option. A specific speaker or sound bar connected to your entertainment system can be used to increase the volume for everyone to hear comfortably. There are even custom settings that will provide the best experience based on the type of show or movie you are viewing. Entertainment with car chases sound different than soft spoken dialogues. A specified volume can be adjusted for the best experience.

 

• A personal amplifier: Similar to the portable speaker, this amplifier can boost the volume in a discreet manner. These devices can go in or around the ear. This is a great choice for anyone who may need hearing aids, but aren’t ready to commit to trying them yet.

 

• Wireless headphones: Similar to hearing aids, wireless headphones can be used while watching TV, listening to music, or talking on the phone. Bluetooth® is used for the headphones, which transmits sounds straight from the outlet and into your headphones. 

If you, or a loved one struggles with hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing instrument specialists. We offer a variety of hearing aids for a wide range of hearing loss.

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