Is hearing loss spoiling your enjoyment of watching television?

If you have trouble following what has been said on TV you are not alone.

On average, adults aged 50 + spend 6 hours 45 minutes per day watching television that’s a large portion of the day not being able to follow what is being said.

In fact, having trouble hearing and understanding the TV is one of the first indicators of hearing loss, according to Phonak audiologist Shin-Shin Hobi.

“My family complains I have the volume too high; It is like the actors are mumbling; Watching the news is okay but movies can be difficult; These are common statements I hear from my clients”, she says.

Here are 3 tips for getting the most out of watching television with hearing loss.

Tip 1 : Use closed captions

Closed captioning refers to text which includes both the dialogue and a written description of what you are not hearing if you have a hearing loss. For example, ‘footsteps approaching’, ‘telephone ringing’, etc.

If your hearing loss is making it difficult for you to follow the dialogue and plot of what you are watching, you may benefit from using closed captions.

Tip 2 : Use hearing aids

For many people with hearing loss, hearing aids will improve their understanding of dialogue on TV. Most modern hearing aids have programming options to provide multiple settings

Many hearing aids also have a volume control button or the capacity to have the volume adjusted by use of a remote control, which means you can change the level of volume to suit your needs, without disturbing other people watching TV with you.

Tip 3 : Use a TV accessory

There are accessories to help users hear the TV better. Sometimes known as assistive technology, these accessories work together with your hearing aids.

New hearing aids, such as Phonak Audeo B-Direct, also allows for connectivity to a TV or stereo system through a compact multimedia hub called Phonak TV Connector. This plug and play solution turns hearing aids into wireless headphones, allowing you to enjoy your favourite TV programs and, movies in excellent stereo sound quality.

Another option is TVLink , whichimproves speech understanding by turning Phonak hearing aids into wireless stereo headphones for TV. In contrast to the Phonak TV Connector, it must be used in combination with ComPilot or ComPilot Air.

If you would like to discuss your hearing loss, ring us to make an appointment on 01772 252411 or 015242 73589