Finding Headphones For Aging Adults
When it comes to using a set of headphones, we all have different reasons for why we want to use them. Choosing headphones for seniors can present some different needs than ones that might better suited for younger people. Each individual, no matter the age, has an ear canal that is unique to their body and their own hearing. When it comes to adults who are aging there are some rather common requirements that come into play when choosing a pair of headphone, though. If they are not experiencing any hearing loss yet, the choices become easier. Let’s take a look at some good options for you or the senior adult in your life for headphones.
If you want to combine headphones with a hearing aid, you will want on-ear or over-ear headphones like the ones shown here. The ones that go IN the ear, may not be loud enough.
Another alternative is headphones that allow for independent tuning like the Sleek Audio SA1 High-Fidelity Rosewood Earphones
A set like these is really nice for seniors who have some hearing loss. They may no longer hear the lower frequencies like they used to or perhaps it is the higher ones that they have trouble with. This set allows them to tune the sound to what they need to get an overall better sound for their unique hearing situation. They can even be set to use wi-fi which will eliminate the danger of tripping over cords.
Common Hearing Loss Causes
There are different reasons for a person to experience hearing loss causing special needs for finding a set of headphones that will work for them.
- Age Related – changes can occur in the inner ear as we age causing loss of hearing. Tiny hairs that pick up sound waves can get damaged or die. Long exposure to loud noises can cause hearing loss. Medical conditions like diabetes and even some medicines can be linked to not hearing as well.
- Tinnitus – ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Blockage – something causing the sound to be prevented from traveling from the ear drum to the inner ear
Any one of these might be experienced by a senior person and sometimes they will experience a combination of any or all of them.
Noise Cancelling Headphones by Bose
Comfort Is Important To An Aging Adult
One of the most important factors to look at in any set of headphones is whether they are going to be comfortable to wear and use. Seniors may feel that the ear bud style of headphones is uncomfortable or even unnatural and would prefer not to use them. Of course, if they happen to use hearing aides the ear buds are not an option, either. Ear pads make a good option in either of these cases. Something that will sit on top of their ears, in other words.
You may think you don’t need the noise-cancelling part – but one of the disadvantages of hearing aids is that they turn up the sound of every noise out there. This helps listen to music while being able to avoid tuning up the background noise.
Tested
By Musicians
Similarly, these earphones were built with the music lover in mind and were tested by professional musicians for sound quality and noise reduction. It would seem logical to me with the sound quality being at an optimum they would be a perfect choice for a senior citizen to use especially if they have some hearing loss to contend with.
These can be worn instead of your hearing aids and will make sure you hear the music very well, without having to disturb the neighbours.
See also the top headphones for teenagers.
My mother and stepfather use headphones. Not because of hearing loss but because it allows them to watch the programs they are interested in when the other is not interested or even trying to sleep in the next room.