Are there devices which transmit TV's sound directly to hearing aids?

[Tumbleweed]

Hi, everyone:

I'm trying to find a solution for my mom who is very hard of hearing and can't hear dialogue on her TV. (Close captioning works, but she wants to hear the dialogue.)

I can have her use off-the-shelf headphones, but I seem to remember hearing about some sort of infrared technology that beams the sound from the TV directly to either a person's hearing aids or to special headphones (I can't remember which). I'm not referring to expensive telecoil technology. The infrared solution is lower cost and more widespread.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about or have other solutions they can point me to?

Many thanks,
TW

[PaulW]

Some hearing aids have bluetooth so you can pair your hearing aid to your mobile phone.
You can also buy Bluetooth audio adapters which can convert audio to bluetooth, and hopefully pair the hearing aid to the bluetooth audio adapter, Cost about $50.  hope that helps

[Jim Scott]

I use TV Ears and have for many years.  They work perfectly and the sound is independent of the TV audio (you can put the TV on 'mute' and still listen to the TV audio through the headset).  They cost under $100.  Based on my experience, they are highly recommended.  Here's the company website: http://www.tvears.com/

Jim

[Tumbleweed]

Thanks a lot, guys!

Best wishes,
TW

[sunfish]

Second vote for TV ears as a cheap solution.

When I get an upgrade on my hearing aid next year, I'm going with the Resound Alera, which has several optional gizmos that "stream" TV to the aid, go with your cellphone, etc., etc. 

[Tumbleweed]

Thanks, Sunfish! Those look very interesting.

Best wishes,
TW

[Tisha]

Sunfish,
I'm really interested in the resound alera.  I wear a hearing aid in my non-AN ear.  It's fine most of the time, but I find I have to turn up the TV for word discrimination, higher than is comfortable for everyone else.

Next time I have to replace this aid, I'm definitely looking into this.  I think you would have to take out your hearing aids for TV ears, correct?

con

[sunfish]

Yes, for the most part I take my aid out before using TV ears.  But the TV ears sound quality is so good that I can turn up the volume and it works just great for me without the hearing aid.  And it doesn't keep my husband awake when I watch TV at night, because the TV can be turned clear down

[Tisha]

Are you able to change the volume for each individual ear on the TV ears?

thanks.

[Jim Scott]

Are you able to change the volume for each individual ear on the TV ears?  thanks.

Tisha ~

No, but there is a 'tone' adjustment, although I find it ineffective.  However, the volume control is fairly wide and gives you lots of latitude.

Again, I like the fact that my wife can put the TV on mute or turn it down very low (due to a phone call coming in) but I can keep my TV Ears at a very audible level that bothers no one.  Even if you're not SSD, the unit is very effective and, in my opinion, well worth the price.

Jim