If you have hearing loss, or live with someone with a hearing loss, it is important that you put more thought into your doorbell. It can be frustrating to miss someone at your door or miss an important delivery because you couldn't hear the doorbell ring.
Most standard doorbells emit a high-frequency chime, which can be missed by the millions of people with a high-frequency hearing loss, or the chime is too soft for those with a moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss. A doorbell that you are sure to hear will give you a greater sense of security and more independence in your home.
The doorbell options are numerous. Everything from standard doorbells to amplified doorbells or flashing signalers, to smart doorbells with video features, two-way communication, and smartphone integration.
Our number 1 Pick
Best Smart Doorbell for People with Hearing Loss
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
What makes a good doorbell for hearing loss?
The best doorbell for someone with hearing loss is a doorbell that can provide an additional alert that can be detected. This may come in the form of an amplified chime, flashing light, vibration, or smartphone notification.
We believe that a smart doorbell with smartphone notifications is the best option because they don't have to rely on any of the other alert signals, they can have multiple alerts in one, through the smartphone.
Types of alerts:
- A visual alert on the smartphone device itself indicating someone has pressed your doorbell, or motion is detected. Plus, you can wirelessly connect most smart doorbells to your smart lights through the IFTTT network for an extra visual notification (i.e. your lights flash when your doorbell rings).
- A vibrotactile alert by receiving a vibration on your smartphone that you can feel as long as your phone is on you.
- An audio alert that is either amplified for a more audible signal, a frequency-shaped or customized chime that can be changed to accommodate your hearing loss, and/or a verbal notification in your hearing aid via an IFTTT connection (currently available in the Oticon Opn hearing aid).
Instead of relying on only one of the alert signals, a smart doorbell gives you multiple notifications. Plus, a loud amplified doorbell may be good for the person with hearing loss, but if there are other people or pets with normal hearing in the household, that could be a problem.
The second most important thing the doorbell can provide would be the ability to communicate with the visitor.
A smart doorbell can allow you to hear, see, and talk to a visitor. Being able to see the person at your door is especially important with a hearing loss because you won't have to reply on audio only to determine who it is and what they want.
Being able to use the visual cues of the video will give you some information about the visitor before you open the door, or even allow you to talk to them when you're away from home.
Top 7 smart doorbells for people with hearing loss
We created the table below so you could have a place to quickly compare each of our picks. Below the table you'll find another section that goes into more details about each doorbell, if you're still unsure which one to go with.
A closer look at each doorbell
We've gone through each of our top picks and listed the major features along with a our thoughts on each. If you've still got any questions after reading this section then feel free to leave a comment below and we'll get back to you.
#1 Ring Video Doorbell Pro
- Motion sensor and night vision
- Integrates with all modern smartphones
- Connects with Smart locks, light, security cameras, IFTTT
Summary
With the Ring Video Doorbell Pro you will be alerted via your phone, tablet, or PC whenever anyone comes to your door. Plus you can see, hear, and speak to your visitor with live video streaming and two-way audio.
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#2 Ring Video Doorbell
- Motion sensor and night vision
- Integrates with all modern smartphones
- Connects with Smart locks, light, security cameras, IFTTT
Summary
For a less-expensive option to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, this gives you the same features without the need for hardwired power and a less powerful video resolution.
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#3 Skybell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
- Motion sensor and night vision
- Works with iOS and Android
- Connects with Smart locks, light, security cameras including Nest, IFTTT
Summary
The Skybell HD smart doorbell system allows you to see, hear and speak to your guest via the app, as well as monitor your home through motion sensing and connections to other smarthome devices.
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#4 Vivint Doorbell Camera
- Motion sensor and night vision
- Works with iOS and Android apps
- Connects with Vivent Sky devices, security cameras, and smart locks
Summary
One of Fast Company's 2017 50 most innovative companies, the Vivint Doorbell Camera incorporates all the features into a minimalist design to blend in with your home.
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#5 August Doorbell Cam
- Works with iOS and Android apps
- Motion sensor with alerts
- Connects with August Smart Lock and Smart Keypad and other smart systems, IFTTT
Summary
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3 doorbell options for people who don't own a smartphone
While most people these days own a smartphone, there are still some who need a doorbell with an alternative option. There are wireless doorbells available that are not necessarily “smart”, but have some really smart functions when it comes to accommodating hearing loss, without the need for a smartphone.
Alternative #1 VTech IS741 accessory audio/visual doorbell
This wireless audio/video doorbell works with the vtech landline phone for those who want to same great features of a “smart” doorbell, without the smartphone.
- Visual alert: None
- Video: Front porch video screening or snapshot, night vision
- Audio: Landline phone alert
- Smartphone integration: None
- Motion sensing: None
- Set-up: Disposable battery and AC power modes
- Design: 1 color – black
- Connections: requires a IVtech S7121 series phone to operate
Alternative #2 Jacob Jensen Design Living Doorbell
A wireless doorbell with 5 specially composed signals including a low frequency tune and LED light flashes.
- Visual alert: LED light flashes for bell ring and low battery
- Video: None
- Audio: Choice of 5 specially composed signals including a low-frequency tune designed for people with hearing loss.
- Smartphone integration: None
- Motion sensing: None
- Set-up: Disposable battery
- Design: 1 color
- Connections: None
Alternative #3 Honeywell Series 9 Wireless Doorbell
A portable doorbell that grows with your family and adapts to your lifestyle, with an outstanding 200m wireless range.
- Visual alert: Halo light and LED strobe lights for visual alert
- Video: None
- Audio: Choice of 8 chime melodies with customization, maximum volume of 90dB, sleep and mute mode
- Smartphone integration: None
- Motion sensing: Wireless motion sensors available as accessory purchase
- Set-up: Up to 5 years battery life, up to 200m wireless range, range extender option available
- Design: 2 colors – grey and white
- Connections: None beyond Honeywell accessories
Final thoughts
I highly recommend that everyone with a hearing loss consider getting a smart doorbell for their home.
Having a smart doorbell is a great benefit for someone with hearing loss because it gives you the ability to live independently without having to worry about whether you'll miss an important visitor. Not to mention some of the other fun safety features it provides, like monitoring your house with cameras, letting you talk to your visitor even if you're not home, and instructing the delivery driver where to leave the package without even having to answer the door.
Smart doorbells are no longer a thing of the future. You can have one in your home now and never worry about missing a visitor again.
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