It is a bit of a running joke and stereotype that older people listen to the TV at top volume when they start to lose their hearing. But this is a genuine problem! When your hearing starts to deteriorate, not only do you need the volume louder in general, but some sounds, such as voices, can be hard to pick out from the background noise.
Does this mean that your family and neighbors have to suffer from a loud TV? No! A good pair of TV headphones let you adjust the volume to your ideal level without disturbing others. You can usually listen on headphones while others listen on a soundbar.
The best TV headphones for seniors also offer lots of options to enhance and personalize sound, such as pulling out voices and ensuring that sudden loud noises don’t explode your eardrums while listening at loud volumes.
In this article, we will take you through the 10 best TV headphones for seniors and review a complete buying guide to help you find the right set.
Product Overview
10 Best TV Headphones For Seniors
This is my own TOP 10, which took a lot of time to create, I hope you enjoy it.
10. Avantree HT5009 40Hrs Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
These Avantree headphones are top of the range when it comes to TV headphones and offers pretty much everything that you could need, all while still being pretty affordable.
- Over-ear headphones
- Can integrate with soundbar
- 40-hour battery life
These are classic over-the-ear headphones that work with your TV through a transmitter you plug directly into your TV. Sound is then delivered wirelessly to the headphones via Bluetooth.
What we really like about these headphones is that they work in a household where not everyone needs the same thing. You can hook up multiple headphones to the same transmitter and one person can listen through headphones while the rest use the soundbar.
They deliver 40 hours of listening on a single charge and are already optimized for clarity, especially when it comes to picking out voices.
- We love that this is a solution that works for busy households where people want to watch together but one or more watchers could benefit from headphones.
- While we like that these pull-out voices, we don’t like that there isn’t the ability to personalize for different listening needs.
Overall, we think this is the best option on the market if you’re looking to balance quality and affordability and if you want something that brings people together.
9. Sennheiser RS 175 RF Wireless Headphone System
These headphones aren’t specifically designed for seniors but rather for anyone who enjoys watching TV this way. But they have lots of features that make them ideal for seniors.
- Over-ear headphones
- Adjustable sound modes
- 18-hour battery life
These are comfortable over-the-ear headphones that work with a transmission and charging terminal with a funky Sennheiser design. The headphones have an 18-hour battery life when fully charged and a range of 100 meters if you have to wander off.
What sets these headphones apart is that you can customize the sound delivery by adjusting the bass and other elements. A few minor adjustments can greatly improve how well older people hear the TV sound. The controls are on the ears, so you can make changes as the sound of what you are watching changes.
- We like how these headphones give us complete control of our listening, and they are also great for older people who don’t want to use “senior technology.”
- These are sophisticated headphones, so on top of being quite expensive, you need to know a little about audio to get the adjustment just perfect.
Overall, those looking for great TV headphones for anyone and not just seniors will love this high-end technology.
8. Avantree Ensemble Wireless Headphones
You will see Avantree on the list several times because they are specialists in making good-quality TV headphones for seniors, and this is one of their more affordable models.
- Over-the-ear headphones
- Bluetooth 5.0
- 35-hour battery life
These over-the-ear headphones have a comfortable design and can deliver audio for up to 35 hours on a single charge. They are easy to use; just connect the transmitter box directly to your TV audio. The transmitter also doubles as a charger and you can be fully charged in just two hours.
The headphones connect with Bluetooth 5.0 and are universally compatible. You can listen to audio from your cell phone or tablet as well as your TV. They have a 30-meter range, so you don’t lose audio if you pop into the kitchen. FastStream technology ensures that audio and images are perfectly synced.
- The headphones are incredibly easy to use, and once they are set up, you are good to go.
- They lack some advanced features such as being able to control the volume in individual ears or enhance dialogue.
Overall, Avantree makes great headphones for TV, and these are one of their most affordable options that still offer great quality.
7. Avantree Wireless Earbuds For TV Listening
Yes, another Avantree product, but this is their solution for those who prefer earbuds to potentially heavy over-the-ear options.
- Earbud headphones
- Compatible with soundbar
- 20-hour battery life
These headphones work in the same way as Avantree’s top-end over-the-ear headphones with enhanced voice recognition. You get 20 hours of battery life from a single charge.
Again, there is a transmitter that connects the headphones to your TV, and you can connect to your soundbar at the same time, which means that one person can listen on headphones while others use the soundbar.
- This is excellent, social technology that allows families to watch together and appreciate the same great audio.
- Again, while we like that the headphones enhance voices, we wish that some of the sound elements were adjustable since everyone is different.
Overall, for those who prefer lighter earbuds to over-the-ear headphones, this is the best product on the market.
6. Sony Wireless Headphones For TV
Movie lovers who appreciate crisp sound will appreciate the quality of these surprisingly affordable Sony headphones for TV.
- Over-the-ear headphones
- Radiofrequency transmission
- Various sound modes
This is another over-the-ear set that works with a transmitter dock. But rather than using Bluetooth, it makes a radio frequency connection. This offers coverage up to 150 feet, even through walls and other obstacles.
The controls are on the headphones, and you get around 20 hours of battery life. There are lots of options for adjusting the sound, including noise-canceling and voice enhancement. These have been designed specifically for cinema rather than music, which means better high-fidelity sound for TV.
- We like that these headphones can enhance the sound of voices, especially since distinguishing dialogue is one of the main problems older people experience when it comes to watching TV.
- These aren’t quite as easy to use as some of the options on the market. But once everything is set up and you have explored all the options, they are pretty user-friendly.
Overall, Sony has made a great pair of cinema headphones for both seniors and movie lovers in general.
5. Giveet Wireless Headphones Earbuds
Giveet also offers an earbud solution, and it is a highly affordable option for anyone who is experimenting with TV headphones.
- Earbud headphones
- 16-hour battery life
- Works with multiple devices
These wireless earphones are comfortable and connect via a transmitter. Both need to be charged and provide 14-16 hours of battery life. But this does mean that they are portable.
The transmitter offers a universal connection, so you can send sound to headphones, a soundbar, or both at the same time. It also works with smartphones, laptops, and other devices.
- We appreciate that these headphones and their transmitter are lightweight and discreet, which many people prefer.
- We aren’t thrilled that you need to remember to charge the transmitter as well… Just one more thing to forget!
Overall, if you want something affordable, convenient, and discreet, these headphones tick a lot of boxes.
4. AudioRange Wireless TV Over-Ear Headphones
AudioRange was one of the original providers of headphones for seniors and set many of the standards for the market.
- Over-the-ear headphones
- Big button controls
- Easy to set up
These over-the-ear headphones are ergonomically designed and about 25% lighter than comparable headphones. They use a transmitter, and the controls are on the side of the headphones. The buttons are extra large for easy access.
You get about eight hours of charge at a time and a 100-foot range. But what stands out about these headphones is that they are literally plug-and-play, and you don’t have to worry about pairing or other fiddly things. They also have excellent customer help service.
- We really like the aftercare that comes with this purchase. If you need to figure something out, you can usually get someone on the phone within minutes.
- We think the battery life could be longer, and for the more tech-savvy, the simplified instruction provided can be a bit frustrating.
Overall, AudioRange has made a name for itself in this corner of the market not only for its technology but also its service.
3. SIMOLIO Voice Enhanced Wireless Headphones
These over-the-ear headphones are one of the best designs for those who have different hearing levels in each of their ears.
- Over-the-ear headphones
- Comprehensive sound adjustment
- Different left and right ear
What matters most about these headphones is that you get complete control. Choose voice enhancement, noise canceling, adjust tone and base levels, and more. But more importantly, you can do this individually for each ear. This is important as hearing loss often affects one ear first.
The headphones themselves are comfortable and connected by a transmitter that also acts as a charging dock. You get about 10 hours of listening off a single charge.
- We like that these headphones are specifically designed for those with different hearing levels in each ear, which includes many of the people who would benefit from TV headphones.
- We don’t like that you have to take the lithium battery out of the headphones to charge them.
Overall, if your hearing levels are different in each ear, then these are the ideal solution for TV watching.
2. SIMOLIO Infrared Wireless TV Headphones
SIMOLIO also offers some pretty good earbud headphones that offer voice highlighting for senior listeners.
- Earbud headphones
- Comprehensive sound adjustment
- Different left and right ear
The headphones connect using infrared, which means that they have a shorter range than some other options. But how often do you watch TV from 10 meters away?
It connects via a transmitter, which also acts as a charging dock that delivers 15 hours of battery life.
All the controls are on the headphones themselves, and you get lots of options including voice enhancement and noise reduction modes. The headphones also automatically stabilize sounds, which prevents the ears from being damaged by sudden loud sounds when the volume is up high. You can also adjust the left and right ear individually, which is important for many with reduced hearing.
- We like how you can personalize your listening to your specific hearing needs, down to different options for each ear.
- We aren’t fans of the aesthetic of this design, which looks like what it is: hearing-assistive technology.
Overall, we think that people with specific hearing issues will appreciate how you can personalize these headphones, and you don’t need to struggle with a one-size-fits-all design.
1. Avantree Wireless Headphones For TV Watching
Our final choice is another earbud option from Avantree, which is affordable but uses a lot of the same great technology as their more expensive options.
- Earbud headphones
- Use your own earbuds
- Personalize sound options
These headphones use the same transmitter deck as other Avantree options, but the headphones are different in that you can attach your own earbuds. This means that if you have a pair of headphones that are comfortable, you can attach them to your headphone kit instead of the earbuds that are included.
As well as receiving sound from your TV, the headphone kit offers features such as left and right hear balance control and enhanced high volume. You can block out ambient sound or specifically let it in. You can also program three preset audio profiles that you might use for your favorite programs.
- We like that you can use your favorite headphones and that there are lots of options for personalizing your sound.
- Because you can do so much with these headphones, they are a bit harder to use than other options.
Overall, we think that these are some of the most convenient headphones for personalizing your experience while watching TV.
Buying Guide: TV Headphones For Seniors
Hopefully, our list has shown you that there are lots of great options on the market when it comes to TV headphones for seniors. But how do you choose the right pair? These are the main things to consider.
Headphone Style
Basically, you need to choose between over-the-ear headphones and earbuds. There are a few other options out there, such as on-ear headphones that hook around and sit over the ear, but these are less common.
When it comes to the style of headphones, it is down to personal choice. But it is worth noting that earbuds aren’t compatible with hearing aids, but you may be able to wear over-the-ear headphones with a hearing aid.
Controls should usually be on the headphones, on the earpieces for over-the-ear options, and maybe around the neck for earbuds. These should be easy to use.
Sound Options
It is not just seniors who might be interested in TV headphones. Anyone who likes watching at top volume without disturbing others might consider them. But what differentiates “senior” TV headphones from standard TV headphones is that they tend to come with more options to personalize your sound choices.
Even standard headphones, if they are good quality, might let you do things like adjust the bass. But with senior headphones, you should also be able to do things like choose “voice enhancement” mode to pull voices out from ambient noise. Some will also let you have different sound settings for different ears.
How many of these additional features you need depends on the hearing of the person who will be using them. It is worth making a list of features that you would like to have before you start shopping.
Connection
TV headphones are different from standard headphones as they usually come with a transmitter that you plug straight into your TV. This then sends sound to your headphones via Bluetooth, infrared, or radio. This dictates sound range, which can range from 10 to 100 meters. However, how often do you need to be able to hear your TV from more than 10 meters away?
Plugging the transmitter directly into your TV means better sound quality and less lag than if you connected your transmitter to your TV via Bluetooth.
The transmitter also means that you should be able to broadcast sound to more than one device at a time. This might be broadcasting to two separate pairs of headphones or broadcasting to headphones and a soundbar so that the rest of the family can watch normally.
If you are someone who enjoys watching on a tablet, laptop, or other device, you will want to find headphones that connect with these as well. The transmitter should be able to connect via micro-USB for example.
Read More
Charging And Battery Life
In most cases, the transmitter will also act as a charging station. You’ll have a place to store your headphones when you aren’t using them, and they will charge automatically.
We have seen options that range from eight to 40 hours of listening time from a single charge. While hopefully, eight hours is enough for any single listening session, forgetting to charge is a serious issue!
The easier it is to charge, the less likely you are to forget.
Looking for the best smart TVs for seniors? Find our recommendations here.
The Verdict
When you get older and your hearing is not what it used to be, watching TV can be frustrating. You might need to turn up the volume to levels where others in the house complain, and you still might struggle to make out some of the dialogue.
A good pair of TV headphones can make a big difference. Not only can they let you watch as loud as you want without disturbing others, but they also offer smart features that allow you to do things such as enhance dialogue for better listening.
