What is the Best Sound Setting for Hard of Hearing?

Millions of adults with hearing loss frequently experience the annoyance of not being able to hear what is being discussed on the television. You can increase the volume to a higher level, but adding higher volume will distort the speech sound level and others around you may get aggravated and tell you to turn down the volume. But, did you know that........ perhaps the answer is already in your hands: Your TVs sound settings. Using these settings and knowing when to invest in new equipment can help you improve clarity of speech.

 

However, everyone is different and this guide provides you with the best sound settings for a person who is hard of hearing, along with new technologies that can help as well.

 

The Technical Challenge: Frequency Loss and Audio Mixing

The main problem stems from a conflict between the TV's audio outputs and your hearing ability. Today's television programming typically involves complex audio mixing in which intentionally dramatic music or sound effects obscure the spoken dialogue.

Anyone with high-frequency hearing loss can find it exceedingly more difficult to understand speech, which is a very common type of hearing loss and generally affects the ability to detect consonantal sounds (such as *s*, *f*, gh, and th), this makes understanding speech is near impossible. Thus, the goal isn't just to turn everything up, often creating distorted sound, but to isolate the frequency characteristics for voice to become clear.

Optimizing Your TV’s Built-in Sound Settings

Before purchasing new equipment, check out the menu options built into your TV. These audio options can really help.

1. Enable “Dialogue Enhancer” or “Clear Voice” Mode
Most modern smart TVs have a sound mode specifically designed for this purpose. It works by boosting the mid-range frequencies where the human voice sits. This setting helps conversations cut through background noise like music or action sequences. The location of this setting often varies by brand (I.e. Samsung, LG, Sony...), but in general, it is in the “Sound” or “Audio” settings.

2. Adjust Equalizer (EQ) Settings
If your TV has a manual equalizer, you can continue to fine-tune sound further. The trick here is to boost the frequency corresponding to speech and lower the muddiness frequency.

  • Treble: Increasing the treble can enhance higher-frequency sounds, making consonants clearer.
  • Bass: Reducing the bass can minimize the rumble of sound effects and music, preventing them from overpowering dialogue.

 

A good starting place is to slightly boost the treble and slightly reduce the bass. Adjust in small steps while listening to a news channel or show with dialogue.

 

3. Utilise the "Reduce Loud Sounds" or "Night Mode" Feature

The "Reduce Loud Sounds" or "Night Mode" feature lowers audio dynamic range. It decreases loud sounds (like explosions) and increases quiet sounds (like whispers). The intention is to provide a more steady volume so you don't have to adjust the volume with the remote constantly. It is especially useful when quiet-spoken characters are saying a few words of dialogue.

 

4. Use Subtitles (Closed Captions)
While this may not fall under sound settings, it is amongst the most useful tools at your disposal.  In the same way subtitles can provide visual support to sound, turning on subtitles or closed captions can ensure that no name, punchline, or critical dialogue is missed. Using captions in combination with the optimised audio settings above creates a dual-layer of understanding that significantly reduces listening fatigue.

 

When TV Settings Aren’t Enough: The Next Step

For those with moderate to severe hearing loss, perhaps the best TV settings won't go far enough. Built-in TV speakers are typically small, down-firing and are not able to produce high levels of distortion-free sound, when the levels are eventually high enough to hear above ambient noise. That's when external options really come to the forefront.

 

While soundbars are a somewhat popular option that may enhance the listening experience, they still project sound generally throughout the room and into other rooms. Even if the volume is increased, such as using a loud soundbar, this may not be good enough. For those who really want to have their own personal listening model for their hearing, many times, a model that is designed for the hard of hearing is the best way to go.

The Best Solution: Personal TV Speakers

For those who need precise control and clarity without disturbing others, a dedicated TV speaker for the hearing impaired is the gold standard. These devices act as your own private, powerful sound system.

Let's take the Simolio Wireless TV Speaker as an example, which is marketed as a solution to the shortcomings of TV speakers and soundbars:

  • Excellent Dialogue Enhancement: It features dedicated one-touch Dialogue Enhancement Mode that goes beyond what most TV options are going to offer—an active boost of vocal frequencies makes every character recognizable.
  • Personal, Private Volume: Place the device right next to you on the table, and then you can set it to your optimal level of volume while  everyone in the room experiences a comfortable normal level. This is a remarkable considerate invention.
  • Simple Wireless Setup: It is a plug-n-play system. Simply connect the small transmitter to the TV audio (OPT/AUX/RCA) port for an instant and lag-free connection. Amazing range at 164ft enables the freedom to move anywhere in your home while not missing a beat!

These attributes are why devices like the Simolio speaker can be considered one of the most functional TV speakers for hard of hearing people on the market.

 

Conclusion: Hear Every Word Clearly

Finding the best sound settings for hearing loss is a journey. Begin exploring the TV built-in menu to find clearer dialogue. If you want a change that allows for personalisation, privacy, and powerful clarity, a dedicated TV speaker for the hearing impaired is an effective solution to have.

Don't settle for listening to your show or your family! Technology can let you do both!

Want to hear crystal-clear TV sound tailored to your experience? Start with the Simolio Wireless TV Speaker, a top-rated option designed specifically as the best TV speaker for hard of hearing viewers.