The best phone headsets for seniors and the elderly should be comfortable, amplify sound clearly, and have a long battery life. Based on these key criteria, the top recommended headsets are:
- Aria Me Personalized Hearing Enhanced Headphones – Customizable sound based on hearing ability, lightweight and comfortable fit, 15-24 hour battery life
- Poly Voyager 5200 – Noise canceling microphone, comfortable ergonomic fit, 7-9 hours talk time
- Angteela Bluetooth Headset – Budget option under $30, noise reduction microphone, 24-hour talk time
Other top options provide crystal clear audio, noise cancellation, and an extended battery life of over 8 hours. Bluetooth speakers can also be a good alternative for improved call clarity without wearing a headset.
When choosing, prioritize comfort, sound amplification, ease of use, battery life, and noise cancellation.
Top 6 Phone Headsets for Older Adults
Based on my research and experience with a few of these, here are my recommended phone headsets for older adults.
The best thing about these headphones is that they customize themselves to give you the best hearing experience possible – even for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Plus, they are comfortable and lightweight, making them easy to wear for hours and hours. Easily adapted for use with TV, Bluetooth devices, computers, and more.
I have been a big fan of Avantronics’ Aria Me headphones since they sent me a free pair to try. These Bluetooth-enabled headphones have some beneficial features that make them one of the best sets of headphones for seniors.
I use them myself for Zoom calls, Microsoft Teams Meetings, and long phone conference calls to be hands-free.
My favorite feature is that they customize the way they play sounds for you based on your own unique hearing profile and deficits.
It does this by giving you a quick hearing test on its app and then it adjusts the software to boost the frequencies you aren’t able to hear as well.
This is a huge thing when you need to be able to hear conversations accurately on the phone! It is especially helpful if you have mild or moderate hearing loss.
If you need a headset for working at home or marathon phone sessions with friends, you’ll appreciate how lightweight (about 1/2 pound) and comfortable this headset is. The earpieces are made of a pliable protein leather and they softly cup the ears.
They come with a detachable boom microphone that plugs into the left earpiece.
It is flexible to get as close to your mouth as you’d like and helps boost your outgoing sound. It’s even got a mute button on the tip for quick muting and unmuting phone calls.
If you work in a noisy environment, you’ll also appreciate the active noise cancellation that helps block out extraneous noise and sounds so that you can focus on the voice on the other end of your call.
This feature can also be turned on or off with the quick flip of a switch.
Finally, the battery lasts about 15 hours if you are using noise cancellation and almost 24 hours if you aren’t. That’s plenty of time to get through calls with even your chattiest friends.
Poly Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset
Poly Voyager 5200 Wireless Headset (Plantronics) - Single-Ear Bluetooth Headset w/Noise-Canceling...
Plantronics is one of the pioneers in headphones for the elderly.
With a proprietary DSP and four microphones, this Bluetooth headset offers cutting-edge noise cancellation to keep disruptive background noise like crowds or traffic away when you take phone calls.
It also comes with six layers of WindSmart technology that can detect wind direction so that your voice goes through clearly even outdoors.
This phone headset goes through rigorous checks on a wide range of ear shapes so that you don’t feel uncomfortable while on a call. It also has a powerful battery life.
A single charge allows you to talk for 7 hours nonstop and can last for 9 days in standby mode. Its charging case can provide up to 14 hours of charge on the go. But you need to buy this charging case separately.
If you don’t want to spend a lot on a phone headset but still enjoy maximum comfort, you should go for this one. Its 300-degree rotatable microphone allows you to adjust the angle of this headset.
There is AVRCP, Bluetooth A2DP, and Crystal-clear Audio technology that offers incredible audio quality. The microphone comes with a noise reduction boom feature with dynamic speakers so that the person on the other side can hear you clearly.
This phone headset has a 33 ft Bluetooth range. It also has a superb battery life with 24 hours of working time at 50% volume and 200-hour standby time.
There is a one-key power on and off button that helps you pair the headset with your phone in a few seconds.
HonShoop Upgraded Bluetooth In Ear Headset
HonShoop is undoubtedly one of the best brands for phone headsets for senior citizens. Its enhanced voice clarity makes it suitable for making and receiving calls.
The built-in HD microphone reduces noise interference. This microphone is so sensitive that it doesn’t allow the other person to recognize whether you’re talking in a crowded area.
It also has a Deep Sleep Power-Saving mode that hibernates the headset when you don’t need it. This headset provides 11 hours of talking time after charging the batteries fully. Make this headset your companion for taking calls comfortably.
Conambo Bluetooth Headset Pro K10C
The Conambo Bluetooth Headset Pro is a gem of a headset for elders. Its Qualcomm aptX HD technology provides a super-clear voice for taking calls. Like the previous model, you can pair it with two phones at the same time.
The Bluetooth earpiece comes with dual microphones integrated with CVC8.0 technology to cancel background noise so that you can listen to your caller amidst crowds and traffic.
You can also activate Google Assistant or Siri for hands-free calling and listen to GPS directions.
With a huge battery life of 16 hours of talk-time and 240 hours of standby time after a single charge of 1.5 hours, this headset won’t stop working in the middle of a call. The 270° boom mic and 180° ear hook help you adjust the headset while talking.
HonShoop Handsfree Wireless Bluetooth Earpiece V5.0
This in-ear phone headset has built-in HD microphone that provides crystal-clear sound and recognizes the audio from the other side quickly. Most importantly, you can pair this headset with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. If you are on a call and you see another incoming call on another phone, just pair this headset with the other phone to talk. There’s no need to disconnect the Bluetooth of one phone to connect with the other.
The rotatable and stretchable design of this headset makes it easy for you to use it on any ear you want. All you need to do is retract the ear hook and increase its length if you have small ears. Its battery life is also very impressive. You can talk continuously with this headset for up to 9 hours after a single charge.
Bluetooth Speaker as an Alternative to Headsets
Many seniors may prefer a speakerphone over a traditional headset for improved call clarity and comfort.
Headsets can feel isolating or cause ear discomfort when worn for extended periods. Speakerphones allow seniors to hear calls out loud without wearing anything on or in their ears.
However, speakerphones can disturb others nearby with their outward-projected sound. They also convey private phone conversations to anyone within listening proximity.
Seniors should consider their personal priorities for call privacy and minimal noise disruption to others when deciding between headsets versus portable speakerphones for optimal phone call clarity.
For seniors seeking improved two-way conversation clarity on phone calls, the BenQ treVolo U Bluetooth speaker provides an ideal speakerphone alternative to traditional headsets.
Its specialized microphone precisely captures vocal nuances while the proprietary treVolo Voice Engine optimizes incoming and outgoing audio for crystal clear dialogue.
The angled speaker design projects sound directly to the listener for discernible speech comprehension unachievable from smartphone speakers.
With the treVolo U’s easy Bluetooth connectivity or wired audio cable connection to mobile phones and custom audio adjustments, seniors can enjoy optimized phone call clarity without the discomfort or hassle of headsets.
This portable speakerphone enhances vocal comprehension for clearer, easier two-way communication.
Factors to Consider While Buying a Headset for the Elderly
Some headsets focus on sound quality while some skew more towards optimal comfort. To get the very best phone headsets for seniors, you must find the right balance between several factors.
1. Form, Comfort, and Size
Most people focus on form, size, and comfort while buying phone headsets. Some users need to spend several hours on the telephone, so they need headsets that are comfortable and convenient.
Many people also select headsets purely on the basis of their design and style. But you need to pick a headset that offers a combination of these three features.
Modern headsets for the elderly are available in three forms: on-ear, over-ear, and in-ear.
- In-ear headsets may be suitable for you as the earpiece fits nicely and comfortably inside your ear. These headsets usually come with an active noise-cancellation feature.
- Over-ear headsets will enclose your entire ear. Their sizes are comparatively bigger than in-ear headsets. Most people use these headsets because they offer maximum comfort. They prevent any external noise from reaching your ear while you attend a call.
- On-hear headsets are similar to over-ear models except they do not cover the entire ear. Instead, they rest just over the ear canal which allows other sounds to come through. This style is a good choice if you want to still hear what’s going on around you.
2. Sound Quality
For seniors, sound quality is one of the most essential factors to keep in mind while buying a phone headset. The headset should come with aptX technology.
This technology produces an audio quality that’s similar to CDs. This allows the headsets to provide crystal-clear sound consistently even if the battery is about to die.
You should also check the sound output of the headset. See whether you need to turn the volume way up to listen properly. Ideally, you should go for a headset that helps you hear clearly at 50 to 60% volume.
3. Battery Life
Wireless phone headsets come with limited battery life. Make sure you buy a headset that provides hours of nonstop calling facilities after charging it fully. Some of the wireless phone headsets come with 24 hours of calling time and nearly 200 hours of standby time.
You should also consider the headset’s charging time in addition to the battery life. It shouldn’t take hours to charge the headset. A number of phone headsets take around 90 minutes to reach 100% charge.
4. Controls and Pairing
Wireless phone headsets usually come with controls on the earbuds. With a single touch, you can not only receive calls but also disconnect a call if you want. All you need to do is pair the headset with your phone and give it permission to make and receive calls.
10 Helpful Uses for Phone Headsets for Older Adults
Here is a list of helpful uses for phone headsets for seniors based on common senior pain points:
- Hearing assistance – Headsets help amplify sound and increase call volume for seniors with hearing loss. Models with customizable audio are ideal.
- Arthritis relief – Hands-free headsets prevent the need to grip a phone, reducing hand pain from arthritis.
- Fall prevention – Headsets allow seniors to talk hands-free, improving safety and preventing falls from trying to multitask while holding a phone.
- Dementia aid – Built-in assistants like Siri provide reminders, place calls, and give information to aid seniors with memory issues.
- Loneliness reduction – Headsets make it easier for elderly adults to call family and friends, helping reduce isolation and loneliness.
- Convenience – Headsets enable seniors to easily multi-task like cooking or cleaning while on calls.
- Noise-cancellation – Headsets block background noise, allowing seniors to better focus on conversations.
- Voice amplification – Microphones clearly transmit senior voices so callers can hear them better.
- Comfort – Lightweight, cushioned headsets are comfortable to wear for extended periods.
- Portability – Wireless models allow seniors to move around while talking without carrying a phone.
The key is matching senior abilities and needs to headset features that make phone calls easier and more enjoyable. Headsets empower the elderly with connectivity.
Wrapping Up
It is always best to know the features and functions of phone headsets before buying. Follow this guide to know the factors to remember while buying a headset and the best models to rank on top of your list.
