How can I watch TV without disturbing other people in a small room at night? My hearing is not good. Any suggestion? Thank you in advance.
By yao from Seattle, WA
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Kelly13,
Thank you for the reply, but usually TV set does not have place for earphone to plug in. What is to be done?
My mother has the very same problem (bad hearing) & to top it off she lives in a "open concept/open floor plan" house with 3 TV's that can each be heard (not a great thing when you have on 3 different channels!) Her husband got tired of her turning the TV up so loud so he bought headphones for all the TV's. She just LOVES them!
The headset is wireless & it runs from a unit that plugs into the back of the TV. I think they got theirs from Costco but you can buy them at any electronics store & also at Walmart. They run around $75. (but go from $20 to $250) There's a volume knob on the headphones so you needn't get up to turn the volume up or down. They are padded so they're very comfy & really great for using in bed when someone's sleeping next to you! You also have to find out how long the battery life is. The top URL at Costco is where I'd start.
Here's some with great reviews for a great price $49 (Costco):
www.costco.com/
reviews for above headphones:
reviews.costco.com/
* The reason this brand is so cheap is because "a $30 discount is reflected in the price. Valid for orders placed July 16, 2009 through August 2, 2009. While supplies last"
Sony Headphones $89.95 at C.Crain:
www.ccrane.com/
Walmart's Sennheiser SET250 $229
www.walmart.com/
Here's a whole bunch of brands at Amazon:
www.amazon.com/
I'd do some research to find out which brand has the best sound quality & the least interference (from other headphones in the next room, etc). Sometimes my Mom will pick up the sound from the channel in the next room. This is rare (unless she walks to close to the other TV) Each system needs to run on a different frequency. Also I've found that the very same brand can be found for MANY different prices. Do a search on that too! Also read the Reviews!
* Call an Electronics store & ask them how the headphone plug in. I don't think you need an earphone plug.
Here's a manual for the Sony model you can download for more info:
The set I use has a little transmitter station that plugs into the audio out jack in the (usually) back of the TV. This broadcasts the sound to your earphone receiver independent of the volume control so you can turn the sound completely off and your headphones will still work. I have used the 'pricey' brand 'TV Ears' for about a year and am still on the original rechargeable battery. My only complaint is they are a bit flimsy... my 6-year old granddaughter wanted to try mine and she bent them apart too much and cracked them. But a bit of glue and they are just fine. My 91 year old mother uses the same model and is very happy with then. Note that you do need to remove hearing aids to wear these (grin). Disclaimer: I have no connection to the above mentioned product other than as a satisfied customer.
Have you ever thought about putting the "captions" or words on the screen? You can read the words or captions and understand what is happening with the particular show you are watching.
My aunt relies on the words or captions, especially when the news is on, or the weather. She can't hear what is happening unless the volume is turned way up. But having the words on the screen is a big help to her, and to others in the family too!
I am hard of hearing and I have wireless head phones and they work fine. Go to Best Buy and they can help you. Don't get the cheapest ones though for they are not as clear.
TV Ears! Every TV has a place to plug these in. It might be in the back on an older TV. Get the real thing, not a knockoff - they don't transmit as far and you might have static or poor sound quality.
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