If you or anyone you know has experienced severe hearing loss, you know how difficult it may be to listen to the television. In a worst-case scenario, someone with such hearing loss will be forced to turn the volume of their favorite shows all the way up, much to the chagrin of the other people they live with- or worse, they may feel as though they have to sacrifice watching some of their favorite TV shows.
This does not have to be a problem anymore. Thanks to a relatively new invention called TV Ears, anyone with hearing problems will now be able to watch their favorite TV shows as they used to without having to sacrifice sound quality or adjust the TV volume. The best part of TV Ear products is that consumers will no longer need to disturb their family members to hear the sound clearly and precisely.
Top TV Ears & Alternatives
What are TV Ears?
TV Ears are doctor-recommended products classified as “Assistive Listening Devices,” meaning they are designed to fit the needs of individuals with hearing impairments. Because TV Ears headsets are classified this way, it permits TV Ears products to be set to a maximum volume of 120 decibels.
This allows those with partial hearing loss to hear sound effects and music, as well as dialog much better instead of depending on the TV’s sound quality.
This means these headphones have twice the maximum volume compared to all other wireless headsets that are not classified as “Assertive Listening Devices.” Although the products are especially beneficial to people with hearing loss, TV Ears will provide the best hearing experience to anyone who wants.
Also, you can use any number of headsets with one transmitter (as long as they are from the same product line). Guests/family members can listen independently on another set of Bluetooth Headphones with personal volume control.
Those utilizing another headset will be unaffected by what is happening in your headset—ensuring that everyone can enjoy their television experience while utilizing a TV listening device.
This review will discuss some of the best TV hearing devices available on the market, some of their best features, TV ears reviews, and some of the reasons why many recommend the products we have listed.
In This Article:
TV Ears – Headphones for Hearing Impaired
“TV Ears” is the original TV ears device and the name of the brand that has released this product, but plenty of other brands have come out with similar wireless TV headphones. So now, we will talk about some of the different hearing devices available to you.
In-Ear Headphones
One of the more common types of TV hearing devices is headphones that you wear inside your ears. These look like a typical pair of headphones you would use to listen to music connected to a headset.
You essentially use these by plugging them into the headphone jack on your TV to watch your favorite shows. This type of headset comes with many different types of ear tips, which vary based on your specific ear shape.
However, most modern TV Ears now are wireless, meaning that you won’t have to plug them into anything, and multiple people will be able to watch your show with you. Only this time, you won’t be causing anyone any disturbance with how high the volume is, and you will be able to comfortably listen to your favorite shows without any of the nasty background noises.
Over-Ear Headsets
On-ear headphones will essentially serve the same purpose as in-ear headphones. You will again use these either wirelessly or with a cable to watch and hear your favorite shows on TV (similarly without any annoying background noises).
Whether you choose to purchase hearing sets with headphones that go inside your ears or over your ears ultimately depends on you and your personal preference for wearing headphones.
TV Listening Devices Brands
While TV Ears was one of the first to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing people with a hearing amplifier product specific for television dialogue, several products function similarly.
Because of this, you will want to consider the different brands available to you. Since customer responses and reviews of these products vary greatly in quality, function, and utility, you should understand what distinguishes TV Ears products from other companies and make sure you choose what is best.
TV Ears
The product’s namesake brand, TV Ears, is known for completely revolutionizing and pioneering wireless TV headphones. Thousands and even millions of people have been using the headphones produced by the TV Ears brand for over 30 years, which shows how absolutely trustworthy it is.
The original headphones are not the cheapest, but because this is the original brand that made them, you aren’t going to have to worry about whether they’re good quality or not. This brand scores the best reviews almost consistently.
Speed of Light Infrared Technology™ (SoLIT)
TV Ears differs from its competitors because you will find Speed of Light Infrared technology (all rights reserved) in every TV Ears device that utilizes wireless technology. In addition, unlike other slow Bluetooth or (RF) Radio Frequency headphones/hearing aids, TV Ears transmitters use Infrared technology to send the television’s audio.
Although RF and Bluetooth waves work for other products, it is ineffective for audio from television. Bluetooth is ineffective because, compared to SoLIT, it has a relatively slow transmission technology, requires more battery power, and more than one user can connect a listening device.
For Radio Frequency, there were issues with channel drift, radio static, and even with telephones interference. However, Speed of Light Infrared technology travels faster than its Bluetooth or RF competitors, but it is also entirely safe with pacemakers and does not interfere with cellular devices.
Voice Clarifying Circuitry
TV Ears function in such a way that optimizes sound quality when the tv volume is loud and audio is difficult to hear. So whether it is a character mumbling in a strange accent, actors speaking in whispers, or background sounds on the television that distract from dialogue, TV Ears has you covered by providing this technology that increases clarity.
Through the proprietary technology of Voice Clarifying Circuitry (rights reserved), dialogue and words are monitored in a way that instantaneously adjusts a customer’s TV soundbar for hard of hearing up or down and separates different noises for clarity. This means that dialogue and important foreground sounds will jump out to the customer while background noises are softened so they can stay in the background.
Sennheiser
Sennheiser is a popular headphones brand, but it is also known for producing its version of the TV Ears. Since Sennheiser is known for producing some of the best headphones available on the market, perhaps it should be no surprise that its TV Ears are consistently rated as being some of the best.
When you go to purchase a product, taking the brand’s reputation is most certainly important. You won’t have to worry about whether a Sennheiser product is good quality.
Top 5 TV Ears Reviews
As we mentioned, TV Ears is the brand that started it all and the brand that the product itself is named after, so it only seems fair to give the TV Ears Digital headset the number one spot on our review page. In addition, millions of people across the globe have been using this product since it was released, showing how trustworthy the brand is.
You can listen to your TV’s volume as loud as you want using these and can do so without bothering anyone around you. This is because these headphones provide a personal sound, and you’ll be able to mute the sound on TV for other people while still enjoying what you’re watching with an audio frequency response of 20–20,000 Hz.
The same great TV ears original experience but for multiple users. The TV Ears Dual Digital headsets and stand are made for connecting any TV to Bluetooth TV headphones.
You get consistent sound with independent tone control and audio signal with multiple Bluetooth Transmitters. The TV Ears digital device works with any TV, including analog televisions, digital TV or Smart TV.
They produce high-quality sound with independent volume control and background noise reduction, an audio frequency response of 20–20,000 Hz, and battery life of 6-8 hours.
If you haven’t watched TV with TV Ears dual digital, we suggest this for you and your family.
It should be no surprise that one of the best brands on the market- Sennheiser- has created a product with over 15,000 reviews and four stars. The best feature of these dedicated TV headphones is that you can watch your favorite shows using a wireless connection, so you won’t have to worry about dealing with all the wires that a typical pair of headphones might force you to do.
With wireless compatibility, an adjustable headband and extreme comfort, you’ll be binge-watching movies and your favorite TV shows. They are an incredibly affordable price for the quality.
People were pleased with the sound quality, which is usual for a pair of Sennheiser headphones, and liked that they were meant to be comfortable for a long time due to how much padding there is. As a result, these are rating as top TV headphones for hearing-impaired individuals.
Simolio is perhaps a brand that isn’t as well known as some of the others on this list, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have one of the top products on the market. You will be able to clearly listen to what you’re watching on TV with these headphones, and the headphones will reduce all the background noise.
You can understand what is going on in the dialogue and can watch TV at a much more comfortable level- certainly not one that will put your hearing at further risk. You also will be able to hear what the people around you are saying and won’t have to remove the headphones to converse with someone.
These are great ear buds if you wear glasses, as they fit comfortably with them. The long-lasting battery won’t let the sound quality diminish for any night owl needing long hours of TV audio.
While these aren’t the best for someone with severe hearing loss, if you have mild or moderate hearing loss, you will most likely love how this product operates. This wireless headset for TV remains one that many people love.
Although a famous brand may not make these are also highly rated pairs of wireless headphones for TV. In addition, you will be able to use these TV ears with a Bluetooth connection, a unique feature of such a pair of headphones.
There is a long range in how far you can go from the source of sound and still be able to hear what’s going on, which means that you can comfortably lounge around your home while hearing without a loud TV blaring.
You can even listen to music with around 20 hours of battery life before charging the device. They are meant for people who need additional hearing assistance while watching television.
5. Avantree HT280 Wireless Headphones
This Avantree product is another in a line of highly-rated sets of headphones. These are an attractive option if you prefer headphones that will go over your ears instead of inside.
These great digital wireless headphones are comfortable and offer an immersive audio experience. One downside is that most TVs with Bluetooth can only support one set of headphones, so without the dock you can only have one person listening.
You will be able to watch anything you want to wirelessly. These TV ears will be able to cancel out any background noise, providing you with a much clearer sound as you listen to the dialogue—TV listening devices for hearing impaired reviews rate these highly.
More Top TV Ears Headsets:
How Can Deaf People Listen to & Watch TV?
Deaf people can listen to TV by using a pair of assisted listening headphones such as TV ears. These devices provide a better listening experience, amplify sound, and eliminate ambient noise. This way, those with a hearing disability can focus on what they are watching.
Do TV Ears work on any TV?
TV Ears work with virtually every existing TV set, it claims. It works with analog televisions, digital televisions, Smart TVs, cable box, satellite TV, DVD players and stereos.
The TV Ears original headset has a rechargeable battery life of 6-8 hours.
You might wonder, what is the best TV for the hearing impaired? Now any TV can meet your requirements.
What are the Best Headphones for Watching TV?
The most comfortable TV headphones tested by us are the Sennheiser R-195RF wireless. These Bluetooth headphones come with a specialized receiver dock which can be hooked up to most televisions and allows you to use them wirelessly with low latency.
The TV ears Dual Digital can be used by multiple users on any television. They are the best headphones for televisions because of their independent volume and tone control.
Buying Guide
If you choose to purchase a TV listening device for yourself, there are certainly a few things that you will want to keep in mind.
Wireless features
You also may want to see if the hearing device is wireless. Most released lately have wireless features, but you will still want to double-check because being wireless will give you more of an opportunity to use this device. For example, you can sit anywhere you want in the room where the TV is, and you will be comfortable anywhere else where you are watching movies.
Plus, you will still be able to watch your favorite shows with your loved ones because the headphones will only amplify the sound for you. Whether or not you want the convenience of a wireless device, it is also important to ensure your headphones are comfortable by choosing the particular ear tips and hearing device styles (as discussed earlier in the guide).
Durability
One factor to consider when selecting a hearing device is durability. Many products come with various support options, warranties and satisfaction guarantees; it is important to look into this to ensure you get the full value you have paid.
Any TV Ears product comes with a five-year limited warranty covering product failures from manufacturer defects. This means you can have peace of mind that the product you receive from TV Ears will be durable and provide high-quality sound for a long time.
The TV Ears company also has state-of-the-art customer service representatives who can resolve customer issues with their products. Their customer service is based in the United States, and all representatives have years of experience and specialist knowledge.
Type of Television
Another important factor to consider is the type of television you use and ensuring that it is compatible with the hearing devices and headsets you intend to purchase.
For example, the set of headphones, TV Ears Original, is compatible with an analog TV; however, you need to use TV Ears Digital if your TV utilizes digital audio output ports. Along with television compatibility, it is also good to see that if you have hearing aids, they are compatible with the product/headset you choose.
TV Ears works both with and without hearing aids. However, many users find that not using hearing aids when wearing a TV Ears headset is best when picking up the best audio quality while eliminating background noises.
Check Some Reviews
It is also important that you check the TV Ears’ reviews. The reviews will give you a lot of information on useful things, such as whether or not the product worked for a long time for the individual, how well they were able to hear using the device, whether they were satisfied, and more.
You may even get information about the company’s shipping and return policies. But, overall, no matter what you choose to get, it is important to check out what other people have to say about it. Some might have poor customer service, so you may be unable to return them easily.
Personal Amplifiers
While this review will mostly focus on headphone-like TV ears, you can choose a personal amplifier, which we feel is necessary to include in this review. Personal amplifiers are essentially exactly like hearing aids and even look the same.
Some models can connect to your streaming device to have a listening experience beamed directly into the hearing aids. But even without this feature, TV dialog is clearer with a decent hearing amplifier.
People with hearing loss can use these while watching television, going to the movies, enjoying videos on YouTube, or in any other situation where one would need to have the sound amplified and clarified.
Since these are hearing aids, you will not have to worry about bothering anyone else around you since only you can hear the amplified sound.
You do not need to restrict yourself to using these when watching TV or some audio with other people; you also may use them if you want to listen to the sounds around you at a more amplified level. You can also check out the best doorbells for the hearing impaired.
Conclusion
The good news is, if you are someone who wants to be able to watch TV without having to turn the volume all the way up or without having to give up watching completely, you’re in luck.
TV ears have become hugely popular among people with hearing loss and are considered a staple in many people’s everyday lives. You no longer have to worry about how you’re going to watch your favorite shows and movies because now you will be able to do so using your own personal headset.
Our number one recommendation is the TV Ears Digital Wireless Headset System, which TV ears can connect to both digital and analog TVs. They allow you to hear television dialogue clearly, by turning up the volume as loud as you want. In addition, they feature 125 decibels of power and are ultra-lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Whether you are shopping for yourself, your husband, your mother, or someone else who is experiencing difficulty watching TV, it is worth checking out getting a pair of TV Ears for yourself.
Also, Check-Out:
Rexton Hearing Aids Reviews
I love Avantree HT280 Wireless Headphones i am planning to purchase one headset next month.