6 Best Headphones for Hearing Impaired

Those who suffer from hearing loss can have a hard time listening to music or watching TV. Though they can turn up the volume, that doesn’t always help and may annoy other people in the area.

To fix that, there are special headphones that can help the hearing impaired keep up with their favorite shows, listen to their podcasts, or rock out to some tunes.

This article will preview some of the best headphones for people with hearing issues by breaking down their various pros and cons.

Who Should Get This

It’s always a struggle to listen to the radio or watch TV when you have hearing loss. In such a scenario you’re faced with distracting background noise, soft speech, or too fast.

While turning up the volume works sometimes, it can disturb others and does nothing to improve speech quality.

So, how do you solve the problem? Go for headphones designed to help you live your life the way you want. The models in this article have adjustable volumes with louder sound compared to standard headphones.

They also come with large closed cups that protect your ears from background noise. What’s more? The headphones have improved sound quality and make speech easier to hear, thanks to their tone control feature.

If you’re worried about trip hazards, you can opt for cordless models as well. If you want to make phone calls or listen to music on the move, it is best to choose Bluetooth headphones.

The models come with balance control, a feature that allows you to adjust the volume for each ear. That is perfect for people with different hearing levels.

Remember, the models in this article may not be ideal for individuals with great or unimpaired hearing.

Best Headphones for the Hearing Impaired: Our Picks

If you want to learn about the best headphones for the hearing impaired, this section breaks them, and their niches, down in great detail.

1. Skullcandy Uproar 

• Best For: Overall
• Key Features: Strong battery life. Wireless functionality. Bluetooth compatibility. Large and durable. Soft.
• Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Connectivity: Wireless
• Form Factor: Over ear

If you need headphones for the hearing impaired, it’s hard to beat the Skullcandy Uproar. Coming from one of the largest brands around, the large, durable headphones create excellent sound through their incredibly soft ear pads that each come with their own control panel.

You can access the volume, as well as take calls without needing to move anywhere. The Bluetooth compatibility works like a dream, while the 10-hour battery life means you won’t need to search for an outlet that often.

They aren’t perfect. The sound isn’t quite up to snuff with a few other top models and there’s no cable option if the battery runs out, but their other features more than make up for such issues.

2. AfterShokz Air

• Best For: Lightweight
• Key Features: Lightweight, unobtrusive design. Quick charging. Adjustable safety options. Flexible build. Comfortable.
• Weight: 1.06 ounces
• Connectivity: Wireless
• Form Factor: On ear

The AfterShokz Air is a small, out-of-the-way headphone that makes the list for two reasons. One, it’s incredibly lightweight. The unique device wraps around your head in a way where you’ll barely notice it’s even on. That adds to the comfort and portability.

On top of that, their intuitive build doesn’t interfere with hearing aid devices. That then works with the flexible silicone material to create a sturdy-yet-flexible option perfect for people who need something that stays out of the way.

There are drawbacks, however. The headphones, while reliable, can be a bit tricky to use in noisy areas. They are better when you’re at home or on your own. The battery isn’t the longest lasting either, so be sure to keep them charged.

3. Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones

• Best For: Noise Cancelling
• Key Features: Quick charging. Large, chunky design. Comfortable. Dual Noise Cancelling technology.
• Weight: 1 pound
• Connectivity: Wireless
• Form Factor: Over Ear

Sony has long been one of the biggest headphone makers on Earth, and these noise-canceling options show why. They manage to block out all external noise while still delivering a crisp sound. The pair is portable too.

Another reason they stand out is their comfort. Though they do tend to build up heat, the large leatherette earpads are incredibly soft and will let you listen without discomfort for hours on end. That makes them easy to wear around out of the house.

The headphones are definitely on the more expensive side, which is something to keep in mind. You’re getting a lot for the price, but know they won’t come as cheap as similar top items.

4. Sennheiser RS 175

• Best For: Portability
• Key Features: Compact, ergonomic design. Integrated controls. Excellent bass and clear audio quality. Easy to set up. 
• Weight: 0.68 pounds
• Connectivity: Wireless
• Form Factor: Over ear

The RS 175 is a great-sounding headphone for those hard of hearing who need something a bit more compact. They are an incredibly portable pair, which makes them especially useful for people who want to listen to music out of the house.

Another great function with these is the controls, which are located directly on the headphones. That allows you to control them without being near your device. The technology also ensures all of the sound coming through the earpieces sounds extremely crisp.

As these are more portable, you do lose a bit of durability when compared to other options. They don’t break too easily, but it’s important to take a bit more care of them when you’re out and about.

5. Aftershokz Titanium Mini

• Best For: Style
• Key Features: Minimalist design. Clear audio. Lightweight and sturdy. Flexible. Striking look.
• Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Connectivity: Wireless
• Form Factor: On ear

Another excellent on-ear option from Aftershokz, the Titanium Mini is one of the most stylish headphones around. Not only do they work with the unique bone conduction technology, giving them a stripped down look, but they come in bright, eye-popping colors.

Besides the excellent style and lightweight build, the headphones are also flexible in a way that makes them comfortable no matter how long you wear them. They fit well against your head and have full Bluetooth connectivity. The materials are also moisture resistant and tough.

When using them, know they are best used on your own rather than in public. The sound can get lost when you’re in crowds. There are also no cords, which means you need to be careful to keep track of them or they can get lost.

6. Bowers & Wilkins PX7

• Best For: Battery Life
• Key Features: Ambient pass through. Adaptive noise cancellation. 30-hour battery life. Comfortable. Crisp sound.
• Weight: 0.67 pounds
• Connectivity: Wired, wireless
• Form Factor: Over ear 

While many top headphones last a long time, they all pale in comparison to the PX7. This model comes with a staggering 30 hours of battery life, providing you with plenty of time to get in your tunes no matter where you’re going. They also stay comfortable the entire time they’re on.

Built with plush ear cups and carbon fiber composite arms, the PX7 has an impressive amount of durability. You can toss them into a bag or backpack without any worry about wear and tear. The noise cancelling is also top notch. 

Just note that, for all their features, the headphones are on the higher end of the price spectrum. Their Bluetooth compatibility isn’t the most reliable either. If you don’t mind that, they are a wonderful way to enjoy music if you’re hard of hearing.

How to Choose Headphones for Hearing Impaired

Hearing Aid Position and Function

Before making your final purchase, it is important to analyze your hearing aid position. Here’s how to do it:

• IITC (Invisible In The Canal) is a custom-fitted style that involves customizing an ear mold separately from your ear anatomy, shape, and size. After that, you insert the aid inside your ear canal. This style is perfect for those that want to protect their ears against mild to moderate hearing loss.
• CIC (Completely In Canal) is a customized style. You can wear your aids at the entrance of your canal in a way where only a tiny handle will be visible on the outside. That makes it easy to insert and remove the aid. It is great for mild to moderate hearing loss as well.
• ITC (In The Canal) can be worn in the entrance of your ear canal. A little part of it will be visible. It’s perfect for mild to mildly severe hearing loss.
• ITE (In The Ear) is a custom made hearing aid that you can wear in the outer part of your ear. It’s quite visible but useful for mild to severe hearing loss.
• RIC (Receiver In Canal) is quite challenging to spot. These well-hidden have a receiver that’s connected to a thin wire and inserted in the ear canal. Great for mild to moderate hearing loss.
• BTE (Behind The Ear) is a style that uses a casing that rests behind your ear. A solid choice for moderate to severe hearing loss.

Compatibility

There are many headphones on the market, and they differ from each other through function, size, and shape. On-ear headphones have an opening in the center that allows sound to come and sit on the (ITE) hearing aid. The ideal hearing aids that fit these headphones are IITC, RIC, and CIC.

Bone-conducting headphones help you hear sounds from your jawbones and cheekbones. They are ideal for individuals that wear hearing aids inside the ear canal or outer ear. Perfect for hearing aids like the CIC, ITC, IITC, and ITE.

If you want options with a noise cancellation feature, over-ear headphones are the way to go. With this headphone, you don’t have to worry about background noise, and your ear will get great sound in a way that prevents further damage The devices work with hearing aids like BTE, RIC, ITC, and ITE.

Comfort

No matter what headphones you choose, they need to be comfortable. That way, you don’t experience any form of pain as you watch TV shows or listen to music.

Tips for Wearing a Good Headphone for Hearing Aids

Listening to music with healthy hearing is quite different than listening with hearing aids.

Do you plan to make the most out of your headphones for the hearing impaired? If so, it is important to know the essential dos and don’ts.

Here are some tips to get you started. More here.

• Since your ears aren’t in good shape, you have to be cautious about the music volume.
• Research music volume and know how loud headphones sound before making your purchase.
• Take note of the sound decibels.
• Go with the 60/60 rule that states that you should only wear headphones for 60 minutes at a time.
• When you notice feedback (when headphones for hearing aids bump into each other)—take a break from using the gadget to avoid further hearing loss.
• Opt for noise-canceling headphones. Such models will prevent you from having to crank up the volume over annoying background noise.
• Go for headphones that are compatible with your present hearing aids.

Final Thoughts

We hope this buying guide helped you find the best possible headphones for the hearing impaired. The key thing to do is to go for the best headphones for hearing-impaired persons that will meet your requirements and budget.

What part of the article was the most helpful? Did we forget your favorite headphones? Leave a comment below.