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December 5, 2023
5 min

Enhancing TV Accessibility for Hearing Loss: Top Devices & Tips in 2025

Discover easy and effective ways to improve your TV's sound quality from adjusting settings to using external devices. Click here to find out how

Author:
Nicole Brener
Enhancing TV Accessibility for Hearing Loss: Top Devices & Tips in 2025
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Hearing loss makes it hard to follow conversations and difficult to hear important sounds such as alarms, sirens, or approaching vehicles. 

Hearing loss also makes it harder to hear TV better, an activity many enjoy. This can be especially frustrating because turning up the volume isn't always the best solution, which can often make the audio harder to grasp, especially if the sound mixes dialogue, music and sound effects.

At the same time, increasing the volume to hear TV better can be counter-productive and cause even more harm to your hearing and others around you. Long or repeated exposure to loud noises above 85 dB can damage your hearing and cause hearing loss. 

With this in mind, it's essential to find alternatives. The good news is that you don’t have to give up on enjoying watching your favorite TV shows, sports, or news channels, thanks to leading hearing devices for television. With a few different options, your choice depends on the severity of your hearing loss and personal preference.

Why Can’t You Hear the TV?

Loud to one person is not loud enough to another.

Certainly, there is a point where the volume is so loud that the result is distortion. However, a good volume setting overshadows devices and environments with other competing sounds, such as a fan running or street traffic sounds.

But this is just a matter of personal preference. Sometimes, the answer is that you may be experiencing hearing loss.

Do others at home constantly complain and say: “Make it lower!” while you’re having trouble hearing?

Knowing that more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are currently affected by hearing loss in at least one ear, finding it challenging to hear the TV could be a sign of hearing loss. 

If you’re struggling to hear the TV, here’s a list of devices that can help.

Best Devices to Enhance TV Experience with Hearing Loss in 2025

A group of three Senior individuals watching TV
A group of three Senior individuals watching TV

If you’re looking to hear TV better or for TV hearing devices for seniors, take a look at this list:

1.Soundbars

Soundbars are horizontal speakers that amplify audio coming from the TV, usually sold as separate devices. They are considered an upgrade that enhances your listening experience as well as TV hearing devices for seniors. The most advanced models can simulate the surround sound effect, which is felt in movie theaters but at an affordable price. Typically, soundbars prioritize sound clarity, improving the listening experience for everyone at home, especially those with hearing loss. 

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2.Closed Captions

Closed captions are a great way to improve your TV viewing experience without blasting the volume. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires all digital televisions over 13 inches to provide closed captioning text, allowing viewers to read dialogue. Search for the “CC” icon on your remote control to toggle captions on and off.

3.Hearing Aids

Most hearing aids offer noise cancellation features that reduce background noise and amplify noise from in front of you, which can help you hear the TV better, especially dialogue.

A great tip is to activate Bluetooth if it is on your hearing aids so your device can tap into the sound system and stream directly into your hearing aids, making these TV hearing devices for seniors a great choice. This also works great when watching TV together with a group, so others can set the volume settings to their liking while you control yours. 

4.Wireless Headphones

Another great solution to amplify the sound of a TV is wireless headphones. With many different brands, you can find comfortable and fashionable models that allow private listening to hear TV better. Search for features such as personal volume control, comfort, and simple setup. There are even dedicated TV headphones that plug into the TV and send a radio frequency or Bluetooth signal directly to the headset.

5.Smart TV Features

Changing specific presents in your TV settings may lead to hear TV better.

  • The night mode audio setting compresses the difference between loud and soft sounds to make audio more accessible at low volumes. 
  • Switching to “Stereo” or “Normal” is another recommended option for surround-sound TVs.
  • For multichannel sound systems like Dolby Digital or DTS, the volume of the center channel speaker should be increased to improve the understanding of dialogue.

6.Personal Amplifiers

Commonly known as PSAPs, a personal amplifier is an over-the-counter device worn in or behind the ear or as a headset or neckband with earbuds to help you hear the TV better. Some PSAPs may have a handheld control for volume, hearing modes, or other adjustments. If you’re looking for Tv hearing devices for seniors this is definitely worth the try.

Conclusion

We hope this guide helps you find the right solution for clear sound to enjoy your TV experience. It's recommended to get a hearing test if you're experiencing early signs of hearing loss, such as difficulty hearing the TV. 

When it comes to a great TV experience with hearing loss, one of the best solutions is hearing aids. Hearing aids amplify the sounds from your TV without being distracted by background noise.

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Nicole Brener

Copywriter based in Miami, FL. Leads copywriting workshops and mentors women entrepreneurs at the Idea Center of Miami Dade College.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

Enhancing TV Accessibility for Hearing Loss: Top Devices & Tips in 2025

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.