The most useful tools beyond hearing aids for people who are hard of hearing are vibrating alert devices for alarms and doorbells, CapTel phones for clearer calls, TV listening systems for entertainment, personal safety alarms for situational awareness, and hearing-loss apps for everyday accessibility. Hearing aids amplify sound, but they don't solve every problem hearing loss creates — these tools fill the specific gaps. These are the options most recommended by occupational therapy practitioners for people managing hearing loss day to day.
Hearing aids are often the first thing people think of after a hearing loss diagnosis, but they're rarely the whole answer. As occupational therapy practitioners who work with people who are hard of hearing every day, we see the same gaps come up again and again: missed smoke alarms, frustrating phone calls, and the mental fatigue of straining to hear the TV. In this guide, you'll find five tools that solve those exact problems, along with what OTPs recommend and why. Let SAMIE help you find the right product →
What assistive devices help people who are hard of hearing besides hearing aids?
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are the main category beyond hearing aids, and they include vibrating alert devices, CapTel phones, TV listening systems, personal amplifiers, and induction loop systems. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify all sound for the wearer throughout the day, ALDs are built to solve one specific situation — hearing a doorbell, following a phone call, or catching dialogue on TV — and often work whether or not someone wears hearing aids at all.
The right combination depends on which situations are hardest for the person involved. Someone living alone may prioritize safety-focused ALDs like vibrating alarms, while someone who's frequently on the phone for work or family calls may get the most value from a CapTel phone. Browse our sensory and hearing collection to compare options by situation, or connect with an occupational therapy practitioner near you for a personalized recommendation.
How can I make phone calls easier if I'm hard of hearing?
A CapTel phone is the most effective solution for making phone calls accessible for someone who is hard of hearing. CapTel (short for Captioned Telephone) displays real-time text captions of what the other person is saying directly on the screen, so you can read along while you listen instead of relying entirely on hearing the call. Many models also include flashing lights to indicate an incoming call and adjustable, amplified volume for the handset. Learn more about how to get a CapTel phone.
If cost is a concern, your state's Telecommunication Access Program can often provide a CapTel phone at no cost to qualifying individuals who have difficulty sending or receiving calls, texts, or using the internet because of hearing loss. This is one of the most underused resources available, since most people don't know these state programs exist or that they qualify. An occupational therapy practitioner can help you find your state's program and complete the application.
What's the best way to make sure I don't miss a smoke alarm or doorbell if I'm hard of hearing?
Vibrating alert devices are the most reliable solution for safety-critical sounds like smoke detectors, doorbells, and alarm clocks. These devices convert an audio alert into a physical vibration, usually placed under a pillow or mattress, so you feel the alert instead of needing to hear it. Many also include a flashing light as a backup, which helps if the device is within your line of sight during the day.
This matters most for people who live alone or sleep without anyone nearby to hear an alert on their behalf, since a missed smoke alarm is a genuine safety risk, not just an inconvenience. It's one of the first things occupational therapy practitioners check when assessing a hard-of-hearing client's home, because it closes a safety gap that hearing aids alone can't fix. Explore vibrating alert options in our sensory and hearing collection.
What OTPs recommend — and why it matters
Occupational therapy practitioners look at hearing loss as part of overall safety and independence, not just as a communication issue. That means the right tools depend on your specific daily routine — whether you live alone, spend time on the phone, or struggle most with TV and entertainment. Here's what OTPs most often recommend across these five categories.
CapTel phone — Best for anyone who relies on phone calls for work, family, or staying connected. OTPs recommend this because reading along removes the guesswork and mental fatigue of straining to catch every word.
Vibrating alert device — Best for people who live alone or sleep without backup nearby. OTPs recommend this because it removes hearing entirely from the safety equation for smoke alarms, doorbells, and alarm clocks.
TV listening system — Best for households where the TV volume causes conflict or strain. OTPs recommend this because it lets one person hear clearly through a personal receiver without raising the volume for everyone else in the room.
Personal safety alarm — Best for situational awareness outside the home, like walking or running errands alone. OTPs recommend this because it provides peace of mind in moments when a hard-of-hearing person might not catch an approaching hazard by sound alone.
Hearing-loss apps — Best for everyday accessibility on a phone someone already carries. OTPs recommend these because they add features like sound amplification or speech-to-text without requiring a separate physical device.
Explore the full sensory and hearing collection for OTP-approved tools across all five categories.
Let SAMIE find the right hearing tool for your situation
SAMIE is AskSAMIE's AI-powered product recommender, built by occupational therapy practitioners. Answer a few questions about your hearing loss and daily routine, and SAMIE will match you to exactly the right tools — no overwhelming Amazon results, no guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are assistive listening devices the same thing as hearing aids?
A: No — hearing aids are personalized devices worn continuously to amplify and process sound for the wearer, while assistive listening devices (ALDs) target one specific situation, like a phone call or doorbell. Many people use both together rather than choosing one over the other.
Q: How do I get a free or low-cost CapTel phone?
A: Most states offer a Telecommunication Access Program that provides equipment, including CapTel phones, to qualifying individuals with hearing loss at little or no cost. Contact your state's assistive technology program directly, or ask an occupational therapy practitioner to help you find and apply.
Q: What is a vibrating alert device and how does it work?
A: A vibrating alert device connects to a sound source — like a smoke detector, doorbell, or alarm clock — and converts that sound into a physical vibration, usually placed under a pillow or mattress. Many also include a flashing light for situations when the person is awake and within view of the device.
Q: Can a TV listening system work with my current hearing aids?
A: Many TV listening systems are designed to work alongside hearing aids, transmitting sound wirelessly to a receiver that pairs with telecoil-equipped hearing aids or headphones. If compatibility is a concern, check the product's specifications or ask an occupational therapy practitioner for a recommendation that matches your specific hearing aids.
Q: Are there apps that help with hearing loss?
A: Yes — several apps offer features like real-time speech-to-text captioning, sound amplification through a phone's microphone, and visual alerts for notifications. These can be a useful, low-cost addition for everyday situations, especially for people who already carry a smartphone consistently.
Q: What's the difference between an assistive listening device and a personal safety alarm?
A: Assistive listening devices are built to help you hear specific sounds more clearly, while personal safety alarms are built to alert others or draw attention in an emergency, regardless of whether you can hear the situation yourself. Both serve hearing loss but address different needs — one for communication, one for personal safety.
Q: What does an occupational therapy practitioner recommend for someone who is hard of hearing?
A: Occupational therapy practitioners typically start by identifying which daily situations are hardest — phone calls, alarms, or TV — and recommend tools that target those specific gaps rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. AskSAMIE's sensory and hearing collection includes OTP-vetted options, or you can use SAMIE for a personalized recommendation based on your situation.
The Bottom Line
Hearing aids are an important piece of managing hearing loss, but they aren't the whole solution — CapTel phones, vibrating alert devices, TV listening systems, personal safety alarms, and hearing-loss apps each fill a gap hearing aids leave open. AskSAMIE carries OTP-approved tools chosen by occupational therapy practitioners who work with people who are hard of hearing every day. No guessing, no sorting through thousands of Amazon results.
