What’s an affordable gift to help your hearing? Will whatever you buy interfere with current hearing aids or devices? Should you stay away from hearing-related gifts completely?
It’s almost time to start (or finish!) your seasonal shopping, but if you or someone you know has hearing loss, that perfect gift could be causing a holiday-sized headache. That’s where our holiday hearing gift guide can help.
Gifts to Help Hearing
A lot of hearing technology is pricey. Personal FM systems or assistive listening devices can be a bit steep to buy without professional input. The CaptionCall telephone, however, can make a great surprise. Easy to use, the CaptionCall is designed specifically for the hard of hearing, a phone with a display of scrolling text so you can “better understand the conversation.”
Phone apps make great under-the-radar presents. Apps can help with hearing aid connectivity (such as the Oticon ON App), speech to text, sound application, and decibel readings. Get a few and turn your phone into a traveling hearing center.
For some perspective, consider a book about the challenges or landscapes of hearing loss. From self-help to fiction, Goodreads has a list to start.
For more ideas, check out HearingLikeMe’s great blog about hearing-specific gear. They cover everything from toys to travel pouches to film recommendations.
Or maybe you can create and print out a hand-made gift card or coupon, one that might say something like: “Redeem for one trip to the audiologist.” That way, you or your loved one can — at your convenience — head on in and test the latest in hearing healthcare technology, tune-up your existing devices, or stock up on small accessories and batteries.
If you are interested in hearing aid accessories, Oticon has a ton of options. Everything from connect-clips to remote controls and tv listening solutions.
Gifts for the Hard of Hearing
If you want to buy something a little less hearing-centric, there are still plenty of options.
Consider a gift card to a movie theater, especially one known to have top-of-the-line ADA-compliant and assistive listening options. Seeing a movie can be the perfect activity for someone hard of hearing. If movies aren’t their thing, a music venue or future tickets to an outdoor concert may be just what you’re looking for.
If looking to take your or their mind off hearing for a little, consider something that will keep socialization and interaction strong. Maybe a membership to a museum or even a set of paints and a portable easel.
If you have any suggestions or gift ideas, please let us know. With your permission, we’ll include them at the bottom of this holiday hearing gift guide.
Happy holidays!