How to listen to television without disturbing others

 

How to listen to television without disturbing others

 

References

In this article: Benefit from a TV sound amplification system Use an FM system Use other technologies Related articles References

Something as simple as listening to television in good condition can be a problem for anyone at one time or another, regardless of the hearing problems one may have with age. For example, you can disturb neighbors by turning up the volume, even at a moderate volume, and it can be difficult to find the right volume when several people are watching TV at the same time. Wireless sound transmission or hearing aid devices can allow a person to better hear the sounds emitted by the television without having to change the volume which may be suitable for other people. Whatever sound problem you face, there is almost always a product that is perfectly suited to solve it.

 

 

 

Method

1

Benefit from a TV sound amplification system

 

1

Choose the system that meets your needs. If you don't have a hearing aid, this type of sound amplifier could be very useful to you. These devices consist of a transmitter that plugs into the audio output socket of your television, and you just need to wear a headband receiver headset to enjoy good sound level and quality sound. You can adjust the volume and tone to a comfortable level without having to do a sound adjustment on the TV [1] .

If you're looking for a sound amplifier, choose headphones that are "over the head" or "headband" around the neck, and consider the range of the transmitter (will you still be able to hear TV sound if you leave the room?), battery life and warranty offer.

Well-known brands for such products include TV Ears, Sennheiser, Innovations and Serene [2] [3] .

These devices do not work like ordinary headsets because they improve the rendering of voices and reduce background noise [4] .

Patch cables, transmitter, sound rendering device and instructions are included in the package when you purchase such an amplification system.

2

Adjust the transmitter. It should be placed close to the television making sure to keep it some distance from metal objects that may reduce the range of the transmitter. Before connecting the transmitter to the television, switch off the television. Insert one plug of the patch cord into the transmitter and the other into the TV's audio output. Depending on the model of your television, you will make this connection using the headphone socket, the RCA socket or the SCART socket [5] .

Remember to read the instructions given in the amplifier's manual carefully before connecting the transmitter to the television.

3

Adjust the receiver. It can work with batteries (disposable) or with batteries that are rechargeable. Adjust the sound volume and tone to a suitable level. You should also test the range of the amplification system early on. Make sure the sound is clear. If the sound quality is poor, the transmitter may be incorrectly connected (plug not pushed in far enough) to the sound output of the television or it may be incorrectly positioned (obstacles between the transmitter and the receiver).

 

4

Set the receiver to the "T-coil" position. If this device is available with your hearing aid system, the amplifier can be connected directly to it. Most hearing aids that offer the "T-coil" option can pick up signals from most amplification system transmitters. Set your hearing aid to the “T” position so that it picks up signals directly from the amplifier. You should then be able to hear TV sound directly through the device [6] .

If you have difficulty using the T-coil option, talk to your audiologist or healthcare professional treating your hearing problems. He will ensure that this option is operational on your hearing aid and he may possibly make adjustments (particularly volume) to improve this function. The “T-coil” option may not automatically launch when using your hearing aid [7] .

 

 

Method

2

Use an FM system

 Image intitulée Hear TV Sound Without Blasting Everyone Else Out Step 5

1

Determine if an FM system is appropriate. These sound devices operate using radio waves and are particularly effective in environments with high background noise. If you are used to watching television when there is a lot of activity in your house, this choice should give you more listening comfort. The FM system works through a receiver that picks up signals from a microphone that acts as a transmitter. You can use the receiver like headphones, or you can use your hearing aid to pick up signals directly from the transmitter [8] .

FM systems are portable too and they can be used in environments very different from your home, such as in a restaurant, at school or at work.

In general, FM systems are more expensive than television amplifiers [9] .

You can buy it online from websites where electronics are sold or by going directly to a store in town where it is sold [10] .

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2

Connect the transmitter to your television. The microphone can be plugged into the audio line out jack or you can place it very close to a TV speaker. In general, it is a 3.5 mm stereo jack that is used to connect the FM transmitter to the television. Many transmitters also allow you to choose the frequency on which the FM signal is transmitted. This is an attractive option, as ambient signals can alter FM transmitter signals at certain frequencies [11] .

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3

Adjust the receiver. Typically, FM systems include headphones, earbud-type headphones, or headband headphones. If yours can transmit on different frequencies, you need to make sure that both the receiver and the transmitter are operating at the same frequency at the same time. You can always adjust the sound volume directly on the receiving device. Depending on your needs, you should be able to wear the receiver around your neck or clip it onto clothing (shirt collar, tie, etc.).

Radio waves from FM systems can pass through walls, which is why you should be able to listen to sound from the TV even if it's in a different room from where you are.

As soon as everything is settled, test the range of the FM system. This can go up to 300 m [12] .

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4

Use the FM system with your hearing aid. If you use a hearing aid, set it to the “T” (or “T-coil”) position [13] [14] . Alternatively, you could plug the receiver into headband headphones or earbuds with ear hook type attachments. Headband helmets are worn around the neck while earpieces are installed directly in the ear canals with the attachments that surround the ears at the base of the pavilion to hold them in place [15] . These latter models are more practical for people who have particularly poor hearing [16] .

Method

3

Use other technologies

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1

Try a cell phone app. There is an iPhone app called TV Louder that you can use to turn your phone into an amplifier. Start by downloading this app, set your TV to medium volume, then connect your headphones to your iPhone. You can then adjust the sound volume using the phone. It is a free application, but it does not allow you to do without the hearing aid device. It's a free option if you already own an iPhone, and you can try it out before deciding whether to invest in another sound system [17] .

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2

Consider using an infrared system. It works like the FM system. However, it uses infrared light to transmit the signal while the FM system uses radio waves. Infrared light does not pass through walls, which is why the receiver and the transmitter of the infrared system must be in the same room. Any obstacle, such as a person's body, can block the transmitter's signal. Infrared systems also lose their effectiveness when the signal propagates in a room bathed in sunlight [18] [19] .

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3

Test a “T-coil” system. It uses a wire looping around a room to transmit a signal that can be picked up by a hearing aid or any other receiver. If you use a hearing aid, you should not have to use another receiver with such a system [20] . Simply set your device to the “T” position to receive television sound in your device [21] . If you don't use a hearing aid, you'll need to wear headphones or earbuds to hear this sound.

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4

Consider using a streaming video service. The package for a service like Roku includes a receiver with a headphone jack. When you plug your headphones directly into this receiver, the television speakers no longer emit sound. You may then be the only one hearing the sound from the TV [22] . This is very useful if you're in a room with another person who doesn't want to watch TV.

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5

Take advantage of closed captioning. It allows you to read on screen the words that are spoken in the video. Even if this method does not allow you to hear better, it does allow you to better understand what you are watching on television. It can also be useful if music or background noise is interfering with the amplified signal. [23] .

Advice

It is not necessary to turn up the TV volume for the system to work. If there is a lot of distortion, the TV sound volume is probably too high.

Not all hearing aids are compatible with the system that allows you to have television sound. Check the compatibility of a device before buying it.

If you are unable to choose your hearing aid on your own, seek advice from your audiologist or healthcare professional treating your hearing problem.

Always remember to switch off the receiver and the transmitter of the sound transmission system when you are no longer using it. This will preserve its battery.