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User profile for user: Nicholas Law
Nicholas Law Author
User level: Level1 143 points
My elderly mother is almost totally deaf and can now hear nothing via FaceTime, Skype and other applications even with the output volume controls on her Macbook set to maximum levels. This applies regardless of whether she listens via the inbuilt speaker(s) or uses ear/headphones.
1) Is there any way to tinker with the OS settings to increase the maximum volume output?
2) Is there any third-party application that will boost the volume output significantly?
Setting the volume to maximum in Utilities/Audio Midi Setup.app and changing the Audio option in Accessibility to Play stereo audio as mono does not make enough of a difference.
It is just possible that we may be able to find some better headphones with their own (added) amplification. Would anyone be able to recommend headphones with such an option?
Many thanks.
Posted on Dec 9, 2016 6:04 AM
5 replies
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User profile for user: sam0620
sam0620
User level: Level1 4 points
Jan 13, 2017 11:00 AM in response to OldGnome
Do you use headphones over the hearing aids?.Does the ear pads enclose hearing aids completely without giving any feedback?
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User profile for user: OldGnome
OldGnome
User level: Level3 813 points
Dec 9, 2016 7:17 AM in response to Nicholas Law
I have a hearing disability and wear Starkey Halo hearing aids. I do not use my hearing aids when on the phone because I have a clarity problem in my hearing, in addition to a volume problem.
I use a set of Jabra headphones (Evolve 80: http://www.jabra.com/business/office-headsets/jabra-evolve/jabra-evolve-80). They do a fantastic job of cancelling outside noise and providing a clear signal to my ears. I spend a lot of time on the phone for my job and they have saved my ability to do my job.
What I have learned is the audio output to headphones is controlled by the phone. That is, while headphones may provide independent volume control, the maximum and minimum volumes are set by the phone. I know of no third-party apps that will boost the volume higher than that set by the phone.
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User profile for user: Nicholas Law
Nicholas Law Author
User level: Level1 143 points
Dec 9, 2016 6:22 AM in response to OldGnome
Hi. I believe my mother does not use her (NHS) hearing aids either, neither on the phone nor when wearing her headphones for the computer. I will have a look at the Jabra headphones you mention and compare them with the ones I have for outside noise-cancelling when I see her at Christmas. Is there any particular technical spec. on headphones that defines their noise cancelling properties and quality? My mother uses headphones only indoors and in rather quiet (not to say silent for her) surroundings.
I suppose though that the maximum levels of sound output will be defined equally by the computer as they are by your phone.
Many thanks.
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User profile for user: OldGnome
OldGnome
User level: Level3 813 points
Dec 9, 2016 6:34 AM in response to Nicholas Law
I do not have any technical specs on the noise cancellation of the Jabra headphones. I looked online and through the materials that arrived with the headphones.
Even with my hearing loss, I have found that the noise cancelling capabilities of the headphones make listening easier for me.
And, yes, the maximum volume levels will be controlled by the computer.
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User profile for user: MikhailT
MikhailT
User level: Level1 4 points
Dec 19, 2016 12:07 PM in response to Nicholas Law
Hi,
Check the app called Boom by Global Delight here: http://www.globaldelight.com/boom/index.php
I use it all the time to let me boost the volume of my Macs to 200% via headphones.
If it is not enough, you'll want to look into a headphone amp to boost the volume further rather than getting an actual headphone with amp included. I find headphone + amp works better but that's just me.
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Volume booster app. for the hearing impaired?
