As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy something through a link on this page, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what I recommend and it does not change your price.
How to pick
This is one of the most common things people ask me about and one of the least talked about. If you find yourself turning the television up and still missing what people say, it is very probably not your hearing, it is the television. Modern sets are too thin to hold a decent speaker and dialogue is mixed for cinema systems your TV does not have. Try the free fix first: go into the sound settings and look for a speech, dialogue or news mode, and turn off anything called surround or virtual sound, which usually makes it worse. If that is not enough, and the real problem is that your volume is louder than the rest of the room wants, wireless TV headphones end the argument entirely and cost far less than hearing aids.
What I recommend
Try the free fix first
If you find yourself turning the television up and still missing what people say, it is very probably not your hearing, it is the television. Go into the sound settings and look for a speech, dialogue or news mode, and turn off anything called surround or virtual sound, which usually makes it worse. If that is not enough, here is what actually works.
Wireless TV headphones
If your comfortable volume is louder than everyone else in the room can stand, this ends the argument entirely. A base station plugs into the TV and the headphones are yours alone. Far cheaper than hearing aids and immediate.
- Solves the volume argument completely
- Far cheaper than hearing aids
- Own volume dial on the headphones
- No pairing or apps to configure
- Only one person can use them
- Base station takes a socket and a cable
- Rechargeable batteries eventually wear out
- You are cut off from the room while wearing them
- Solves
- Your volume versus everyone else's
- Look for
- Volume dial on the headphones
- Base station
- Plugs into the TV
- Versus
- Far cheaper than hearing aids
TV listening system with two headsets
The same idea but with a second headset, so two people can both hear clearly at their own volume without anyone shouting.
- Two people at their own volume
- Same simplicity as a single set
- Costs noticeably more
- Two sets to keep charged
- Both people are cut off from the room
Speakers you can move closer
For people who dislike wearing anything on their head.
Wireless TV speaker
A small speaker that sits on the arm of your chair, connected wirelessly to the TV, so the sound comes from a few feet away rather than across the room. Good if headphones are not welcome.
- Nothing to wear on your head
- Sound arrives from close by
- Usually has a very simple volume control
- Everyone else still hears it
- Needs charging or a nearby socket
- Less effective than headphones in a noisy room
Related reading
Want it set up and tuned?
I can get the sound settings right and fit whatever you choose while I am there. This one makes a real difference to people.