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Quick picks
- Best TV headphones: Avantree Ensemble
- Budget headphones: LEVN Wireless TV Headphones
- Best soundbar: ZVOX AccuVoice AV157
- Best phone: Panasonic KX-TGM420W Amplified Cordless Phone
Headphones or soundbar?
Best wireless TV headphones
Look for a charging base (so they're always charged and easy to find), a simple volume dial, and a "voice clarity" setting. A light, comfortable fit matters more than sound quality for music.
Best overall
Avantree Ensemble Wireless TV Headphones
Avantree is one of the best-known names in TV headphones, and the Ensemble has one of the largest bases of buyer feedback in the category. It's a transmitter and headphones set built for TV watching, with low audio delay so lips match the words.
Why we like it
- Built specifically for TV
- Low audio delay
- Extremely popular and well reviewed
Keep in mind
- Check your TV's audio output (see below)
Best for: most families sharing a TV room.
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Upgrade pick
Avantree HT5009 Plus
A newer Avantree model with a charging stand and a long-lasting battery, aimed squarely at older viewers who want clear dialogue.
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Classic choice
Sennheiser RS 120-W
A long-running favorite from a major audio brand. The headphones charge by resting on the transmitter, which doubles as a stand, so there's no fiddling with cables.
Why we like it
- Trusted brand
- Drop-on charging stand
Keep in mind
- Buyer opinions are more mixed than for Avantree
- On-ear fit isn't for everyone
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Budget pick
LEVN Wireless TV Headphones with Charging Base
Lower cost, well rated, and comes with optical, AUX and RCA cables so it connects to most TVs.
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Best dialogue soundbars
Regular soundbars make everything louder. "Dialogue-clarifying" soundbars separate voices from music and effects and boost just the voices, which is usually what a parent with age-related hearing loss is missing.
Best soundbar
ZVOX AccuVoice AV157
ZVOX designs its AccuVoice soundbars specifically for people with mild to moderate age-related hearing loss. The AV157 has 12 levels of voice boost and evens out volume jumps during commercials.
Why we like it
- Made for hearing loss
- Steadies sudden volume jumps
- No headphones to wear or charge
Keep in mind
- Many boost levels can confuse at first: set it up for them
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Budget pick
ZVOX AV257
A lower-cost AccuVoice model with the same voice-boost idea and a clear display.
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Hearing the phone
If your parent misses calls or says "pardon?" a lot on the phone, an amplified phone helps, and makes your daily check-in calls far easier.
Best phone
Panasonic KX-TGM420W Amplified Cordless Phone
Boosts call volume, has a loud ringer with a flashing light, and a "Slow Talk" button that slows down fast talkers. It's hearing aid compatible and can add extra handsets.
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For more hearing loss
Panasonic KX-TGM450S Amplified Cordless Phone
Panasonic's strongest model, with more volume boost and an even louder ringer.
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Budget pick
VTech Amplified Cordless Senior Phone
Big buttons, a loud ringer and audio boost at a lower price.
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Check your TV's connections first
Look at the back of the TV before you order. Most headphones and soundbars connect with one of these:
- Optical (a small square port, often labeled "Digital Audio Out")
- HDMI ARC (an HDMI port labeled "ARC" or "eARC")
- Headphone jack or RCA (round ports, common on older TVs)
Some TVs need the audio output set to "PCM" in the sound settings for wireless headphones to work.
When it's more than the TV
If your parent struggles in conversations too, not just with the TV, it's worth a hearing test. Untreated hearing loss is linked to loneliness and has been linked to faster cognitive decline.
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