(1) Not hearing the “beep” when the microwave oven is done
(2) Not hearing the top five or six notes on a piano
(3) Missing about 20 - 30% of the audio track for TV programming
So, here are our well tested solutions:
(1) If you have cable, DISH or Direct TV, they ALL offer some sort of closed captioning. We find it to be a bit distracting to follow the text while trying to watch the video, (especially action filled programming) but is IS one solution. We use it mostly during programs spoken with a Brit or other accents.
(2) Wireless headphones - and there are several variations
W/L Headphone Type #1 uses infrared beams to transmit the signal. NOT RECOMMENDED because they require pretty much line of sight and certainly won't allow walking into the kitchen for a fridge raid while listening to the soundtrack.
W/L Headset Type #2 - uses radio transmission and there are basically two transmission schemes. The CHEAPER type uses a low power FM BAND transmitter which will work pretty well if you are NOT in a large Metro Area like NY, LA or Chicago. In such areas, it's almost impossible to find an used frequency to use with this type of headset. The good news is that ONE transmitter can service multiple headsets, just like 88.5FM can be picked up by ANY FM receiver, including such headsets. The headsets are essentially FM Radios built into a pair of headsets, teamed with a very low power FM transmitter sending the audio from your TV to any FM Receiver within about 50 feet, just like Howard Stern or Rush Limbaugh.
The BETTER type of W/L Headset uses the same technology as cordless phones. Since cordless phones for some years now have had automatic channel hopping/search capability, they seem to work just fine around the house even in densely populated areas. They have the widest selection of manufacturers and provide the best sounds quality.
Of the first type, Harbor Freight Tool Outlets sell a kit for around $10 - $15 that you can use as a “proof of concept”. (google their website)
The drawback to that particular set and many others out there - SO BEWARE - is that they have no internal charging system. That means every few hours you're swapping the batteries in and out of the headset, transmitter and charger. IT IS A ROYAL SUPER DOOPER PAIN, and for that reason, for the second TV, we recently went shopping again and replaced the Harbor Freight set with a kit from Acoustic Research.
They work well, but another “comfort factor” has emerged. On some sets, the AR included, the ear cups do not swivel left to right (horizontally), so they don't conform to one’s head is if is tapered from front to back. It's not a deal killer for us, but something to watch for. We found that issue was REALLY UNACCEPTABLE for the “stethoscope” style similar to the old commercial airplane headsets - just too uncomfortable/unadjustable for anything over a few minutes use. They're so useless, I'm not spending any more time on them than this.
We have had a wireless (cordless phone technology) set made by RCA for over five years and they still work fine in the den.
Over the ear vs in the ear is a personal choice, but from a sanitary point of view we prefer the OTE style.
Most newer TVs will have some sort of audio output that is not affected by the TV volume control and can be run into the headset transmitter, but there are kits out there fopr older TVs that use a small microphone placed near the TV speaker to pick up the sound. Volume Independence is lost with that sort of arrangement.
Expect to pay between $50 & 80$ for a decent pair, WITH INTERNAL CHARGING ability. Anything cheaper will disappoint you and anything more expense is wasting your hard earned $$$$. Put the headset on the charger every night just before going to bed and it will last several lhours the next day.
It makes life SO much more pleasant for all concerned.
The only issue now is trying to communicate while watching TV. I think there's a product need out there to allow old foggie couples to communicate even if one or both are watching TV via headset - kind of like when on a motorcycle with the helmet-com link.
As things stand, we have to pause the program if one of us wants to make a real time comment about something on screen.
;-}
Oh well, nothing’s perfect. And, one last comment - IF you're going to have more than one TV in the house equipped with a wirleess headset kit, make SURE you buy a type that includes MORE THAN ONE CHANNEL for the radio link. Our RCA transmitter is FIXED while the RCA headset is adjustable (strange design) but we are able to run the two TVs independently because the NEW set from AR has THREE chanels built-in. Hope this helps ....
Well, you could always go get your own beer instead of making her do it.
Sorry, I couldn't resist. :)