Wireless TV Speakers for Seniors and the Hard of Hearing

Television should be a source of enjoyment for everyone. Unfortunately, for those with hearing impairments, watching TV can often become a frustrating experience. The struggle to hear dialogue over background noise can turn a beloved pastime into a chore. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Wireless TV speakers specifically designed for the hard of hearing are revolutionizing the home entertainment experience. These innovative devices deliver clear, amplified sound directly to the listener, allowing for full immersion in favorite shows and movies. Since these speakers are portable, you no longer need to crank up the TV volume, reducing the impact on roommates and neighbors.

How Hearing Impairment Affects TV Audio

Hearing impairment often goes unnoticed by those experiencing it. The gradual onset of hearing loss leads people to unconsciously adjust by raising the volume on their TV. As their hearing diminishes over time, the volume may continue to rise until others point out how excessively loud it has become. This is often the first clue for many that their hearing may be declining.

When watching television, hearing difficulties typically manifest in the following ways:

  • Lack of clarity in dialogue
  • Volume not being loud enough
  • Different sounds blend together
  • Distortion in sound
  • Inability to hear certain frequencies

Limitations of Traditional TV Speakers

Built-in TV speakers often fall short of delivering quality sound, even for those with perfect hearing. They tend to sound thin, lack sufficient volume, and struggle with clarity. For individuals with hearing impairments, these limitations are even more pronounced, making TV viewing a challenging task.

While investing in traditional stereo speakers or surround sound systems can enhance overall audio quality, these options often aren’t ideal for those with hearing impairments. There is still likely to be a lack of volume, detail, and clarity. Increasing the volume might seem like a solution, but speakers tend to lose clarity as the volume increases, creating a trade-off between loudness and sound quality.

This is where wireless TV speakers come in. Designed to bring the sound directly to you, whether through a portable speaker or earphones, these devices eliminate the need to turn up the TV volume excessively. Now, you can enjoy clear, direct audio without feeling guilty about disturbing others.

Why Wireless TV Speakers

Wireless TV speakers designed for the hard of hearing offer distinct advantages and can even complement hearing aids. While hearing aids are excellent for conversations and various everyday situations due to their precise tailoring, they don’t always enhance TV audio effectively. TV sound has different characteristics, and hearing aids might not always provide the clarity needed for a satisfying viewing experience.

Wireless TV speakers, on the other hand, are portable and versatile. They can be easily moved from room to room, eliminating the need for multiple speakers for each television in the house. Some models are even wearable, allowing you to enjoy your show while moving around the house, such as heading to the kitchen for a cup of tea or coffee.

Many wireless TV speakers come with controls that let you adjust the volume effortlessly. Earbud-style designs are particularly useful for individual volume control, making them a popular choice for couples who want to enjoy TV or gaming without disturbing each other.

You might wonder if connecting a Bluetooth speaker to your TV would also work. However, Bluetooth often suffers from latency issues, causing a delay between the audio and video. This can make it feel like watching a poorly dubbed film where the mouth movements don’t quite sync with the sound. Unlike standard Bluetooth speakers, wireless TV speakers for seniors and the hard of hearing use low-latency communication methods, ensuring that the audio and visual elements are perfectly synchronized for a seamless viewing experience.

Important Features of Wireless TV Speakers For Seniors and the Hard of Hearing

In an age where online shopping is the norm, knowing what features to look for in a wireless TV speaker can prevent buyer’s remorse and keep you from spending more than you need to. Here’s what to consider when shopping for wireless TV speakers designed for the hard of hearing:

Vocal Clarity / Clear Dialogue

A great wireless TV speaker should improve the quality of your existing speakers, not fall short of them. The key to this is clarity, which ensures that voices are distinct and easy to understand rather than muffled or drowned out by background noise. This is arguably the most important feature of any assisted listening device for television.

While some low-end devices only boost volume, higher-quality alternatives improve both volume and dialogue clarity. This ensures that you can hear what’s being said without needing to turn the sound up to excessive levels.

Volume Levels and Adjustments

While turning up the volume is a common way for those with hearing difficulties to cope, it can sometimes do more harm than good, potentially worsening hearing over time. A good wireless TV speaker should allow you to maintain comfortable volume levels while still providing clear sound.

Clarity is more important than volume; a high-quality wireless speaker will mean you don’t need to crank the volume. Many devices include built-in volume controls, and some even allow for customized settings—ideal for situations where you’re sharing a TV with someone else. The TV’s volume can stay low, while the wireless speaker delivers higher sound directly to your ears.

Reliable, Low-Latency Connection

Wireless technology is critical in ensuring that sound syncs well with the video on your TV. Here’s a breakdown of common wireless technologies and their pros and cons:

TechnologyProsCons
RFLong range, good wall penetration, low latencyPotential interference, compressed audio
IRClear sound, no interference, private listeningRequires line of sight, limited range
BluetoothWide compatibility, portable, decent audio qualityLatency issues, limited range
Wi-FiHigh-quality audio, extended range, low latencyComplex setup, dependent on network stability

Recent releases of Bluetooth are better suited to TV usage, as the introduction of low-latency codecs has reduced the sync issues that were present in previous versions of Bluetooth. The performance is directly related to the supported codecs, and aptX low-latency codecs are some of the best suited for TV purposes.

Sound Quality and Customization

While clarity is crucial, sound quality also depends on the speaker’s ability to reproduce low, mid, and high frequencies accurately. This creates depth and immersion, making your TV experience more engaging. Some devices offer customizable EQ settings, allowing you to adjust frequency bands to suit your preferences, which is especially helpful if you have difficulty hearing certain frequencies.

Wireless TV Speaker Designs

Wireless TV speakers come in various designs, and the right one for you depends on your watching habits and comfort preferences. Here are the most common types of wireless TV speaker designs, along with a recommendation on reliable products of that type.

Portable Wireless TV Speakers

Also called portable or compact speakers, these have a base that docks near the TV. The speaker can be moved closer to where you’re sitting, delivering sound directly to you. Ideal for those who need to move around the house but still want to keep the audio nearby. This style is particularly well-suited to couples or individuals who live alone, as it allows for a more immersive sound experience without needing to disturb others.

Simolio Portable Wireless TV Speaker

Our Recommendation

The Simolio Portable Wireless TV Speaker features a wireless range of up to 100 feet, voice enhancement technology, and adjustable volume controls for personalized listening.

Wireless TV Earbuds

For those who prefer a more personal audio experience, wireless earbuds deliver sound directly into your ears, isolating external noise and allowing you to focus on the TV audio. They’re great for shared spaces but aren’t for everyone, as comfort can depend on the fit.

TV Ears 5.0

Our Recommendation

The TV Ears 5.0 is a wireless listening system with an adjustable transmitter and lightweight earbuds. It enhances TV audio with clear sound and voice clarification, offering a range of up to 150 feet, and features a built-in volume control for personalized hearing.

Wireless Headphones For TV

Most headphones lack the low-latency performance needed for TV, but some specialized models use low-latency Bluetooth codecs to improve sync issues. Additionally, a few RF (Radiofrequency) models are available and feature excellent latency and comfortable fit.

Sennheiser RS 195 RF

Our Recommendation

The Sennheiser RS 195 RF is a wireless headphone system designed for enhanced TV listening. It features adjustable sound modes for optimal speech clarity and sound quality, a long-range RF transmission up to 328 feet, and comfortable, over-ear headphones. It includes a charging base and offers personalized volume control.

Around-Neck TV Speakers

Combining the best of both worlds, these speakers rest around your neck, offering portable audio without the need for earbuds. Some models even include built-in earbuds, allowing you to switch between personal and open sound, making them highly versatile for different listening environments.

Avantree Torus

Our Recommendation

The Avantree Torus is a wireless TV speaker with Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in rechargeable battery. It delivers clear, rich sound with customizable EQ settings and has a range of up to 100 feet. Its compact, portable design allows for flexible placement and use.

Compact TV Soundbars

Compact TV soundbars for the hearing impaired look similar to traditional soundbars, but have unique features and technology that tailor them specifically to those with hearing difficulties. These are best suited to those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

ZVOX AV157

Our Recommendation

The ZVOX AV157 is a compact soundbar designed to enhance TV audio with its AccuVoice technology. It features six speakers, a built-in subwoofer, and a remote for easy control. The soundbar improves dialogue clarity and overall sound quality, fitting neatly under your TV for a streamlined look.

How To Use Wireless TV Speakers

While you should follow the directions in the user manual for your wireless TV speakers, some general directions can help understand how to best use your device.

1. Always Consider Your Range

Wireless TV speakers have a limited range that differs depending on whether it’s a Bluetooth, RF, Infrared, or Wi-Fi speaker. 

  • Bluetooth will have a short range that is easily interrupted by walls.
  • Infrared requires a direct line of sight and is the most prone to connection issues when moving around.
  • Radiofrequency has a good range and can often retain the connection between rooms.
  • Wi-Fi has a great range that can retain a connection as long as you stay within range of your router.

2. Impact On Other Viewers

If you share a space with others, consider how your device may impact them. Portable TV speakers with base stands can be distracting to others who may hear them as an additional audio source. This is mostly true when the device isn’t placed close enough to the listener. 

3. Find The Right Placement

Wireless speakers for TV require correct placement to be effective. For designs with base stands, you should try and get them as close to ear level as possible. These speakers should be placed near the listener, ideally within arm’s reach, as this will allow you to easily make adjustments to the sound settings.

When using infrared TV speakers, you’ll want to ensure a direct line of sight between you and the transmitter. When using IR, even people walking between the transmitter and the speaker can cause connection problems.

4. Choosing The Best Settings

The degree to which you can control your TV speaker will vary between models, but spending some time playing around with the settings can help you find what works best. If you have the option for EQ adjustments, you can tailor the emphasis on frequencies to create what you think sounds best. You should also dial in your volume levels and keep note of what volume levels work for you. Keeping note of this will also help you monitor any progression of hearing loss.

5. Pay Attention to Battery Life

Wireless TV speakers typically use a built-in rechargeable battery so you can move around with it. While batteries are great for added portability, it does mean you’ll need to pay attention to when your battery needs charging. The last thing you want is to settle down to relax by the TV only to discover your speaker battery is dead.

The Evolution of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids aren’t always effective for television, but some new models can be streamed directly, making them a viable option for some people. This technology is fairly new and is limited to higher-end hearing aids, which tend to be a lot more expensive than wireless TV speakers. Still, if you have hearing aids – consider speaking to your doctor or Otolaryngologist about whether they have Bluetooth support and your options to get it.

Conclusion

Overall, wireless TV speakers are an effective way for those with hearing disabilities to improve their sound quality and increase their TV-watching experience. Instead of relying on volume to compensate for hearing challenges, wireless TV speakers are not only more effective but can also help reduce the progression of hearing loss by allowing you to retain reasonable volume levels while still getting the full media experience.

Ultimately, while there is a solution for everyone – you should think about how you watch TV and determine which of the three design types best suits your way of watching television.

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Written by
Bryn De Kocks

Bryn De Kocks is the lead editor for Audiostance, as well as one of our trusted reviewers. He has more than 15 years of experience in online publication and stands firm in being transparent with both the benefits and drawbacks of the products he reviews. Outside of editorial work, Bryn has been an avid online gamer and casual digital music producer since his teenage years, bringing his understanding of audio and especially headphones to the table. His daily driver is a humble pair of Fidelio X2HRs powered by a Fiio E10K. In his spare time he enjoys nature photography.

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