Williams Sound Hearing Amplifier Review
Best Headphone Hearing Amplifier
The Williams Sound Pocketalker Ultra Duo is a device that allows users to target the sound source they’d like to amplify by directing the microphone toward the sound. It’s a great option for those who’d like to watch TV without disturbing others with high volume levels because it has an extension cable that connects directly with most televisions.
The Williams Sound hearing amplifier is compatible with headphones and earbuds and is completely portable. It’s powered by AAA batteries with up to 100 hours of life.
Pros:
- Long-lasting battery life at 200 hours.
- Extension cable for directly connecting to devices like TV sets.
- Long warranty available at 5 years.
- Designed by a company known for high-grade AV equipment.
Cons:
- Limited customer support.
- Large, bulky design may not suit all customers.
Overview of Williams Sound
Williams Sound is a subsidiary of Williams AV, which has worked for over 50 years in the development of technologies that allow people to communicate better with one another when they have disabilities. Its products include hearing assistive devices, video annotators, wireless intercoms and closed sound captioning services.
Pocketalker Ultra
Cost
Company Rating
Battery Style
Environment Modes
Varying tone controls
Smartphone Enabled?
No
Physical Controls
Physical buttons for adjusting volume and tone control
Return Policy
How Much Does a Williams Sound Hearing Amplifier Cost?
Hearing amplifiers have a wide price range. Some can cost as little as $50, while the most expensive options on the market cost as much as $1,000. The Williams Sound Pocketalker Ultra Duo is one of the more affordable options at around $155.
The Pocketalker Ultra Duo runs on AAA batteries and isn’t rechargeable. The best way to get the most out of your batteries is to purchase a battery charger and rechargeable AAA batteries, so these costs should also be considered. One pair of AAA batteries can power the Pocketalker Ultra Duo for up to 100 hours, and you can conserve battery life by turning the device off when you don’t need it.
Full Review of William Sound’s Features
The Pocketalker Ultra Duo has a control pack with a microphone that can be extended toward any sound source for added clarity. It’s used with a set of headphones or an earbud and has adjustable volume controls on the control pack. In addition to changing volume, users can adjust tone if they struggle with specific sound ranges.
TV Compatibility
The Williams Sound Pocketalker Ultra Duo has a 12-foot extension cord that connects with most televisions, allowing users to enjoy their favorite shows without disturbing anyone. The extension cord can also be used to extend the range of the microphone.
Minimalist Product Design
There aren’t any loose parts that users need to worry about, and the product requires no assembly. Users simply connect their headphones and turn the device on for hearing amplification.
Affordable Hearing Loss Solution
At one of the lower price points on the market, the Pocketalker Ultra Duo is great for people who don’t require the full benefit of a hearing aid but have some degree of hearing loss. It’s less expensive than the most intricate devices on the market.
Warranty
Williams Sound offers a 5-year warranty on this product. This is one of the longest warranties in the hearing amplification market. If users don’t enjoy the sound quality, they have 30 days from their purchase date to request a replacement or refund.
Batteries
If the Pocketalker has any disadvantages, it’s that it can’t be recharged. It offers over 4 days of continuous use with a single set of AAA batteries, and users can purchase their own rechargeable batteries and chargers if they wish.
Trusted by Google and Amazon
The Williams Sound Pocketalker Ultra Duo has high grades on both Google and Amazon. It also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Who Should Consider Williams Sound?
People Who Watch TV Frequently
Users can plug the device into the TV directly, allowing them to watch TV without disturbing anyone. This is ideal for anyone concerned about keeping a spouse awake at night while they enjoy their favorite shows.
Those Who Don’t Want to Pair the Device With a Phone
The Pocketalker Ultra Duo isn’t compatible with smartphones, but this is a benefit for people who either don’t own a smartphone or find it difficult to control a hearing amplifier through their phone. Controlling the device is simple and straightforward.
People With Minor Hearing Loss
Those with significant hearing loss may require a more advanced device, but the Williams Sound hearing amplifier is a solution for those with minor hearing loss who want added clarity.
What Are People Saying About Williams Sound?
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive for the Williams Sound Pocketalker. Most reviewers purchased the device for a loved one that had trouble hearing conversations or the television and noticed that it resolved the problem better than other devices they tried.
While some users wish the device was rechargeable, they note that the battery life is good, and it’s easy to change the AAA batteries when needed. Users may need to change the volume often throughout the conversation to hear others, but it’s pretty easy to adjust the microphone and sound output. Most people are happy with the return policy and 5-year warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Hearing Amplifier and a Hearing Aid?
Hearing amplifiers adjust the pitch, tone and volume of sounds in your environment while hearing aids help people with more serious hearing problems. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Can Hearing Amplifiers Damage Your Hearing?
As with other audio devices, a hearing amplifier set to a high volume can damage your eardrums. Click here for our full answer to this question.
How Can I Listen to My TV if I’m Hearing Impaired?
Hearing aids and hearing amplifiers can help someone with hearing loss enjoy watching TV without needing to raise the volume. Click here for our full answer to this question.