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The Best Headphones for the Hard-Of-Hearing

Hearing loss can lead to feelings of isolation from friends and families. While hearing aids can restore the ability to interact, these are not a perfect solution to every situation, nor is hearing loss the same from person to person. Headphones can bring back things such as enjoyment of music and the ability to use telephones, though there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

  1. Closed-Ear Headphones

    • Closed-ear headphones completely surround the ear. Foam cups rest against the side of the head and the speakers are generally held away from the ear itself. While this is a design feature for comfort, it will allow many in-the-ear hearing aid wearers to listen with hearing aids in use. Different brands and models have different responses, so try several pairs to see which sound best to you. Reputable makers include Sony, AKG, Koss and Sennheiser.

    Open-Ear Headphones

    • Open-ear headphones sit on the ear itself. Often this brings the speakers closer to the ear and thus causes more feedback issues when worn with hearing aids. Turning volume down on the hearing aids may address this. Used without aids, open-ear headphones generally have reduced bass response compared to closed-ear designs, making them more appropriate for users with high-frequency hearing loss, which is the most prominent late-onset hearing loss pattern. The manufacturers listed for closed-ear design offer open-ear styles as well.

    Ear Buds

    • For use without hearing aids, ear buds such as those used with person MP3 players may provide astonishing clarity, even in the case of moderate to severe high-frequency loss. Considering ear buds are inexpensive, this is a happy surprise to most hearing-impaired users. One thing to keep in mind with ear buds is that they may be deceptively loud, a fact that is true with all headphones. You should set volume to the lowest acceptable level to prevent further hearing damage.

    Specialty Headphones

    • Telephone use is often easier with amplified headphones for one or both ears. Plantronics and Sennheiser are two makers of binaural telephone headsets. Many devices are available now to use Bluetooth, FM or combinations to get a variety of audio sources like television and stereos directed to hearing aids, making headphones unnecessary. Talking to your hearing care provider will help you learn what equipment is available.

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