Our Selection for the Best List (Quick link to the content on this page)
1. Pyle
2. ZVOX
3. Vizio
4. Bose
5. Sonos
Are you looking for the best soundbar because you’re hard of hearing?
Well, we all know when it’s time to get a soundbar, and that is when your family is complaining that the volume is too loud. Of course, you’re complaining that it could be louder.
These days, your flat-screen TV just isn’t bringing enough volume for you to hear the voice dialogue.
You could put on the closed caption, but reading the text on the screen for one and a half hours of intense drama is too much work to feel entertained.
The best TV soundbar for hearing impaired is a practical option when finding your TV hard to hear. When everybody can enjoy equal listening levels and sound quality, TV watching doesn’t have to be a battle with the volume.
What is a Soundbar?
A soundbar is an external speaker that amplifies or makes the sound from the TV louder or clearer for listening. It can also act like a TV speaker for the hard of hearing when your TV alone makes it difficult to hear.
As television manufacturers developed flat-screen devices, they were made to be thinner. However, the audio components of these devices had to shrink to fit. The microphones and the sounds coming out of them are now noticeably reduced. The smaller your TV, the less sound is projected from it.
When closed captioning is not preferred
A soundbar is an excellent option if we do not want to deal with closed captioning. Perhaps you are in a situation where not all streaming content or cable shows will have the captioning you need. Owning a soundbar will allow you to get better audio from your TV.
External speakers TV for hearing impaired
The other benefit of soundbars is that they can be placed anywhere in the room and act like a wireless speaker for hard of hearing. While a soundbar is typically situated under or by the TV, a wireless soundbar can be placed anywhere around the room. So, for example, you could have a soundbar close enough to where you are sitting, and your hearing aid will be able to pick up sounds from the soundbar.
In addition, if your hearing aid has an app, you may be able to control the sound from your hearing aid and absorb the sound from the soundbar by focusing on background noise.
Buying another new TV is out of the question.
You could have chosen the best TV for hearing impaired. But if you are happy with the TV you have not, you may not want to buy another TV. The soundbar acts like a TV speaker for hard of hearing.
Yet, to get the best TV sound for the hard of hearing, you still need to buy another device. So, look at the cost and consider whether it is worth buying a new TV or soundbar.
Why use a soundbar?
Keep the volume in the room reasonable.
Soundbars are best suited for people who are hard of hearing. These TV speakers for the hearing impaired will provide the added boost of sound to hear from the television without sitting too close to the TV. We shouldn’t have to turn up the volume too loud to annoy our family or roommates who are hearing.
It isn’t the volume that’s the concern; it is clarity.
Making sound loud may not bring the clarity you need. That’s why the best soundbar for dialogue will help clarify the speech.
There are other options instead.
Another option if the soundbar is not interesting to you is using a headset or streaming audio to your hearing aids or cochlear implants, using some type of hearing impaired TV speakers which use telecoil connectivity or Bluetooth. This allows you to have the sound directly into your ears without any background noise.
Plus, soundbars may not provide amplification, depending on the size of the room. In addition, you’ll have the flexibility to choose your own volume without negotiating with others in the house.
First, your TV audio needs to be reasonably good because soundbars do not replace poor audio. The soundbar’s only capability is to enhance the audio available from the TV. Soundbars provide the best wireless speakers for hearing impaired people only if the TV speaker is of good quality.
If there’s garbage in, garbage will be out. Without the quality sound from the TV, the soundbar cannot fix it.
Reviewing five brands – Best soundbar for hard of hearing
This post contains affiliate links, meaning Lisnen earns a small commission if you purchase from these links. Please read the disclosure for more details.
I will share five different brands of soundbars used by people with hearing loss. In addition, I’ve gathered insights and comments from the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities online and reviews from people with hearing loss to help you find the best TV speakers for hard of hearing for you. Note these can also be the best soundbar for seniors as well.
1. Pyle 3D Surround Bluetooth Soundbar
The Pyle soundbar offers good audio for your money. The brand may not be a household name. Still, the functionality and sound quality make this a favourite for people with hearing loss. Even though this device is quite large, many people compare this product’s performance to top brand names like Bose.
Key Features
- Uses Bluetooth connectivity, USB and other standard wire connections
- Links up to smartphones, desktop computers, Alexa and other Bluetooth-enabled devices
- Includes an FM radio
- Comes with a remote control with features to adjust the audio, like increasing bass sounds
2. ZVOX Dialogue Clarifying Sound Bar
No matter what your hearing loss, if you have a mild or severe hearing loss, this speaker was designed to focus on voice and help you better hear the TV. Amplifying sounds sometimes don’t give you the clarity you need. ZVOX provides a small and lightweight design that offers enough sound boost without turning up the volume.
Key Features
- Connects to TV with one wire
- Easy installation
- Setting features to boost voice clarity.
- Remote control
3. Vizio
Vizio matches the length of a 32″ TV screen, and with this size device, you can get good hearing within the range of 8 to 9 feet away from this soundbar. In addition, the base gives a nice vibration feel. Overall, many people with hearing loss talked about how this device can provide a clear dialogue when watching movies or TV shows.
Key Features
- Projects sound as high as 95 dB
- Battery operated with Bluetooth connection to be 100% wireless
- Remote control features allow adjusting the bass and treble
- Option to connect to other devices other than TV
4. Bose
Bose is a higher-end speaker and a favourite among all the audiophiles. It can do more than amplify your TV’s sounds but provide extra volume with other smart devices or speakers like Alexa or Echo. In addition, the attractive design makes it easy to fit right into the home.
Key Features
- Connect with other Bose devices, speakers, headsets, hearing aids
- One connection between tv and soundbar via Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
- App provides more Dialogue Mode features to provide clarity to voices
- Remote control option as well
5. Sonos
Sonos is a brand with a compact design speaker that many find appealing. Using your smartphone to control your Sonos soundbar, this device will allow you to skip having another remote. In addition, the app settings will enable you to benefit from the speech enhancement feature.
Key Features
- WiFi connection only. No Bluetooth option.
- Only need to use the TV remote control. All setup occurs on an app.
- Setting includes a speech enhancement feature.
- Simple set up, but customer service can remotely connect for troubleshooting.
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