2. home-theater
  3. 147495-19209

Advice on compensating for hearing loss

Here's a puzzle: I'm an 84-year-old music/movie lover with considerable hearing loss (especially upper register), helped to some extent by high-end Oticon hearing aids.  Current system is an Arcam AVR300 receiver and a pair of Von Schweikert  VR-1 bookshelf speakers, old but still working well. What kind of additions/ improvements can I make that would at least  help with dialogue and lyrics and possibly even make music (classical, jazz, bluegrass, folk, rock) more enjoyable? A center speaker?  Which ones (since the Von Schweikert's can't be matched I've been considering everything from Polk CD10 to Elac C5 to Aperion 5C)? Would a subwoofer help? Anything else? I'm not much interested in surround per se unless it helps with the issue. I'm sure I'm not the only senior grappling with these and similar questions. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

jessleo
freediver
1,189 posts
 
I think I would change speakers,IMO the 15 year old silk tweeter is hiding low level detail & resolution..Advanced coatings & materials put today's speakers wayyy ahead of those that are well over a decade old..Since you have AVR,YES to a CC speaker..Ask V.S.about matching if you stick with them..you could try "brighting"up the room(harder more reflective) which would help with dialog but kill tonal purity..
 Another option & one I highly recommend is adding a good,tube based headphone rig...The listening perspective is different but the low level resolution & detail with the right "cans"brings music to life in a way speakers can't,but then the same can be said vice versa...
 I hope I have the same problem when I'm your age.At 59 now with the life I had I'll be thankful to make 70 hahahah...
jessleo OP
6 posts
 
Thanks to all. Appreciate the thoughts.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,781 posts
 
I bought my parents (both with hearing problems) a home theater system for Christmas. After moving to a new house, I installed my KEF "egg" speakers into their system until their speakers could be unpacked. They loved the KEFs which allowed them to hear dialog more easily. So I'd add KEFs to your list.

Another thing you can do is try a sinus drainer like "Mucinex" to make sure nothing is clogged up (may want to talk to your doctor first).
Finally, refrain from eating dairy e.g. whole milk, cheese, ice cream, etc.
Good luck!
n80
2,116 posts
 
@dweller :

Why refrain from dairy?
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,781 posts
 
@n80 - Dairy is a well known mucus maker which blocks sinuses. Your hearing is part of your sinus system. Clear sinuses = easier hearing.
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