Living with a hearing loss means that you need to make some accommodations for yourself when it comes to daily living, like making sure your alarm clock wakes you up on time. This can be something that is easily overlooked by someone first diagnosed with a hearing loss, but there are several options available for alarm clocks for people with hearing loss.
In most cases, those with a mild hearing loss will not need to worry about having an alternative alarm clock because the level of traditional alarm clocks will be loud enough to hear.
However, those people with moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss will likely need to have a better way of waking up than just the regular old buzz of an alarm clock. Because people with hearing loss do not wear their hearing aids or cochlear implants to bed (in most cases), the level of the alarm clock may not be above their hearing impairment to be heard.
Instead of just having a louder alarm clock, there are also vibrating alarm clocks and light up alarm clocks that are a great alternative. These alarm clocks are perfect for those who have been newly diagnosed with hearing loss, have progressive or fluctuating hearing loss, the hard of hearing teenager that is going off to college, or those who are in the market for a new and up-to-date alarm system.
Our #1 Pick
Sonic Bomb with Super Shaker
If you're the type of person that loves waking up to the natural sunlight, then the Philips Wake-up Light will be perfect. Inspired by the sunrise, this alarm uses a combination of light and sound to help keep your circadian cycle intact.
The light alarm also has a sunset feature that allows you to ease into bed at night as the light eases off.
Our Runner-Up
Philips Wake-Up Light HF3520
What makes a good alarm clock for hearing loss?
The best alarm clock for the hard of hearing provides an alternative visual or vibrotactile alert, rather than only a generic audio alert signal such as a buzz, beep, or radio. The alert signal can be in the form of a vibration or light, and can also include an adjustable frequency tone or amplified signal if the user wishes.
Top 5 vibrating alarm clocks for people with hearing loss
A vibrotactile alert on the alarm clock is a vibration that can placed under the pillow, under the mattress, or worn on the wrist. These can be used if you don't want to wake up your bed partner, but are also a perfect alternative for those with hearing loss to not have to rely on hearing the audio alarm.
| Name | Image | Score | Verdict | Price | Buy now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Bomb with Super Shaker | Sonic Alert Super Shaker SB200 | ShakeAwake Vibrating Alarm Clock | iLuv Time Shaker | VibroSaver Vibrating Alarm Clock | |
| |  |  |  |  | |
| 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 3.6 | |
| It shakes, lights up, and makes a load of noise – if you sleep by yourself this is a great choice, as it will wake up even the heaviest sleepers. | A dual alarm with extra loud alarm and vibrating bed shaker. | A pocket size travel vibrating alarm with vibration and/or beep alarm. | Cheap and multi-functional, the iLuv can connect to your phone and use its preset alarms. | The VibroSaver can be easily set up remotely. As long as it's near, you won't need to worry about finding it, just set it up on your phone! | |
| $35+ | $39.95 | $17.99 | $31.99 for a wired shaker, $39.99 for a wireless shaker | $79.99 | |
Top 5 light up alarm clocks for people with hearing loss
A visual alert on the alarm clock can be in the form of a light up alarm. These are often used by people with normal hearing as a more therapeutic way to wake up, and are also a great alternative for people with hearing loss.
| Name | Image | Score | Verdict | Price | Buy now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips SmartSleep HF3500/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock | Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock | Heimvision Sunrise Alarm Clock | Ayyie Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock | KPR Bluetooth Speaker Night Light | |
| |  |  |  |  | |
| 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.3 | |
| Uses a combination of light and sound to wake you up in a more natural way. | Similar to the previous Philips product, but a bit more expensive and with more features, this alarm clock uses gentle light and soft noise. | If you own an Amazon Alexa, this product will sync up with it (her?) and allow your smart home to become that much smarter. | If you're looking for a light alarm that does more than emulate sunlight, this alarm offers all kinds of fun colors. Perfect for a child's room. | A cheap option for anyone looking for the most basic light alarm clock. It lights up at a certain programmed time, and not much past that. | |
| $49.95 | $139.99 | $45.99 | $26.99 | $24.99 | |
Another alternative alarm clock for the nose
There is one more alternative for an alarm clock that uses the sense of smell to awaken you.
Sensorwake Olfactory Alarm Clock
If your sense of smell is your strongest sense, you may want consider the olfactory alarm clock. Choose from 6 scents that will motivate you to get up: seaside, grass, toast, peppermint, espresso, croissant, or chocolate. Definitely a unique way to wake up!
Final thoughts
Whether you choose to wake up with an audio, visual, vibrotactile, olfactory, or a combination of alerts, it doesn't matter as long as it works for you.
Depending on the severity of your hearing loss, it is not wise to rely on only an audio alarm clock. Those beeps or buzzes can be easily missed while you sleep. Choose from one of the vibrating or light up alarm clocks and rest assured you'll be awake on time.
Alarm clocks can help you wake up, but if you're struggling to hear throughout the day, you might want a hearing aid. To find the best hearing aid for you, arrange a free consultation and talk to a hearing specialist.
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