Top pick
Wireless TV listening headphones
They set their own volume in the headphones, so the TV doesn't have to be loud for everyone else.
Good to know:
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Hearing and communication
The TV too loud for everyone else, the phone that can't be heard, the conversation nodded along to. Fix the one that's actually happening. How picks are chosen
What to look for
- A TV listener turns the sound up for one person without raising it for the room.
- Captioned phones help once volume alone has stopped working.
- None of this is a hearing aid or a substitute for getting hearing tested.
All Hearing and communication picks
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Top pick
Personal sound amplifier
For one-on-one conversation.
Good to know: It isn't a hearing aid, and it's no substitute for getting hearing tested.
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Top pick
Pocket talker amplifier
$202.00 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
A pocket-size amplifier that makes voices easier to hear.
Good to know: It isn't a hearing aid, and it's no substitute for getting hearing tested.
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Top pick
Amazon Echo Show 8
$199.99 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
The mid-size Echo Show, for video calls, recipes, and music.
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Top pick
Amazon Echo Dot
$79.99 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
A small voice assistant for reminders, timers, and hands-free calls.
Good to know:
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Top pick
Ultimea Poseidon M60 soundbar with subwoofer
$139.99 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
Its dialogue mode brings voices up over the background, so TV speech is easier to follow.
Good to know:
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Common questions
- What helps someone hear the TV without blasting the volume?
- Wireless TV listening headphones or a dedicated TV speaker let one person turn the sound up to their own level while everyone else hears the TV normally.
- Are amplified phones better than hearing aids for calls?
- They solve a different problem. Hearing aids help all day. Amplified or captioned phones specifically make calls clearer, with louder volume and on-screen captions of what the caller says. Many people use both.