Hearing impairment is a common condition worldwide. In the US, more than 37 million adults have a hearing loss of some degree (1).
Most people experience mild to moderate symptoms, however, a minority suffers from a profound hearing loss that includes deafness.
This condition affects many areas of life and requires special attention regarding any device that uses sound for communication. This includes, among other appliances, doorbells.
If you find yourself worrying about missing a visitor or delivery because you can’t hear the chime, it’s time to upgrade the system.
Fortunately, nowadays there is a great variety of doorbells designed for the hearing impaired that can significantly improve quality of life. If you (or one of your relatives) suffer from hearing loss, choosing the right (and loud enough) doorbell can really give you peace of mind.
In this review, we’ve collected the most reliable and user-friendly doorbells that are the best choices for those who are hard of hearing.
Now, let’s see them in detail.
Best Doorbells for Those With Mild to Moderate Hearing Impairment
What does mild and moderate hearing loss exactly mean?
People with mild hearing loss usually only hear sounds that are louder than 25-34 dB (decibels), while those who suffer from moderate or moderately severe hearing impairment can’t hear sounds quieter than 35-49 dB or 50-64 dB, accordingly (2). Most elderly people fall into any of the previously mentioned categories.
In practice, this means that anyone with a mild impairment can communicate without using hearing aids but can experience difficulties in a noisy environment.
On the other hand, people with moderate hearing impairment often can’t keep up with everyday conversations and have problems in most situations.
Now that we have clarified the definitions, let’s move on to the best models.
1. Honeywell Portable Wireless Doorbell
Honeywell is a well-established and reliable manufacturer that has many quality appliances (I tried many of their products and I also use their CO detector and it is one of the best on the market).
The Honeywell Series 9 wireless doorbell features adjustable volume with a maximum sound level of 90 dB which is equal to the sound level of a power lawnmower, so it’s pretty loud (3). I recommend that you set the volume according to the degree of the hearing loss.
You can choose from 8 built-in tunes, however, the doorbell can play MP3, so you can also download your favorite melody if that is what you want.
No matter how loud the doorbell is, there might be times when you are not sure if you have heard it (for instance, when you are watching the TV or have your headphones on).
This is where the LED halo alert comes in. The halo light can be set at the touch of a button (you can choose from 7 colors), so each time the chime sounds, the halo alert is activated too. It is perfect for visual confirmation and a great assistive function for those with hearing impairment. It’s an especially nice feature for seniors.
When you don’t want to be disturbed, you can use the built-in sleep or mute mode.
Installation is a breeze, and while the doorbell is portable, it comes with a wall mounting bracket that you can screw to the wall and hang the device on it.
The Honeywell Series 9 doorbell is one of the more reliable models, therefore it’s highly recommended (especially if portability and well-visible indicator lights are important).
Here you can check out the current price on Amazon.
Main features of Honeywell wireless doorbell:
- Loud enough speaker (maximum 90 dB)
- Adjustable volume settings
- Lets you use your favorite MP3 tunes
- Portable receiver with LED strobe alerts
- Long battery life (up to 5 years)
2. 1byone Wireless Doorbell
It’s an affordable yet powerful doorbell with an award-winning design. This wireless device is weatherproof, easy-to-install (peel and stick), and has an operating range of about 500 feet (150 meters) in the open air.
You can choose from 36 ringtones and 3 volume levels (up to 110 dB). The receiver should be set to the maximum volume, otherwise, those who are hard of hearing may have difficulties hearing the chime.
The doorbell also features an LED flash indicator at the top of the device, although it is not always easy to notice the light during the daytime.
Main features of 1byone wireless doorbell:
- Great price for the value
- Some of the ringtones are quite loud (up to 110 dB)
- LED flash notification light
- Award-winning design
Here you can find the current price on Amazon.
3. Ring Video Doorbell
If you need a reliable and modern doorbell and want to improve security as well, you can kill two birds with one stone by installing a Ring video doorbell.
Ring video doorbells are getting more and more popular for a reason. They allow you to check out who, exactly, is standing in front of your door using your mobile device. So you don’t have to open or even approach the door to know who is ringing the doorbell (if anyone).
The Ring video doorbell also works with Alexa, so you can easily enable voice control and alerts. This way you will be notified when someone presses the doorbell button and you can talk to your visitor through a compatible Echo device.
If you don’t need Alexa, you can also use your mobile device (phone, tablet, etc.) to communicate with your guest (Ring video doorbells allow two-way communication).
For those who are hard of hearing, it’s recommended to use the video doorbell with a plug-in Wi-Fi enabled speaker called Ring Chime that can be purchased separately.
This way people with hearing loss get an instant (and pretty loud) sound alert when the doorbell is pressed and then they can check the identity of the visitor on their phone.
I really like that the device features infrared night vision that allows you to clearly see in HD quality who is in front of your door regardless of the time of day.
Here you can check out the current pricing of Ring video doorbell on Amazon and here you will find the doorbell chime.
Main features of Ring video doorbell:
- You can check your visitor from your mobile device (no matter where you are)
- High-quality video, even at night
- Allows two-way communication
- Works with Alexa
- Improves security
- The separately sold Ring Chime is pretty loud
FYI – We have a helpful guide on the differences and similarities between the different Ring Video Doorbells and Peephole Cam that you can find here.
4. Novete Wireless Doorbell
This doorbell is a great choice for anyone who suffers from mild or moderate hearing loss. It is capable of producing really loud sounds (up to 115 dB) and it comes with 52 built-in tunes and features adjustable volume.
The doorbell comes with 2 plug-in receivers that can be very useful if you live in a house where one unit might not be enough.
Besides being loud, it has a built-in indicator light that flashes when the doorbell is pressed. This feature can be very helpful for hearing impaired residents as this visual confirmation greatly helps them not to miss a visitor.
This Novete doorbell has an exceptionally long wireless range (up to 1300 feet or about 400 meters in the open air), so if the operational range is a concern, you should definitely consider this model.
Installation is fast and straightforward. The doorbell button can be mounted on the wall using the adhesive patch or the provided screws. Regarding the receiver unit, it is ready to use right after connecting it to an outlet. Thus, most seniors won’t need any help to install the doorbell.
Main features of Novete wireless doorbell:
- Impressive volume level (52 built-in tunes)
- LED indicator light
- Long wireless range
- 2 plug-in receivers
- Easy installation
- Sleek design
Here you can check out the doorbell on Amazon.
5. Craftmade Wired Door Chime
If you prefer wired doorbells, this one can be a great choice. It comes in two similar colors: designer white and pure white. It’s a loud doorbell and can be a good fit for those with mild to moderate hearing loss (often, it can be heard in larger homes as well, however, it really depends on the severity of the hearing impairment).
The doorbell chimes two notes for the front door, and one single note for the second door (backdoor) that can be easily distinguished. You can hang it either in a vertical or horizontal position.
Keep in mind that this chime requires a 16-volt transformer that you need to buy separately if you don’t have one. Also, make sure you have at least 18 gauge wire everywhere, including chime to chime if you use more units.
Main features of Craftmade doorbell:
- Loud wired door chime
- Available in two colors
- Two note chime
- Requires at least 18 gauge wire and 16V transformer
Here you can find it on Amazon.
6. Byron Portable Door Chime
I really like the way this doorbell looks, however, in this case, functionality is more important. The manufacturer claims that it is extra loud, however, I’d rather say it is loud enough (about 90-94 dB). You can choose from 8 tunes.
It features an optional strobe light that can make life easier for people who are hard of hearing.
Both the doorbell and the push button are battery operated (batteries for the chime are not included).
The operation distance is about 330 feet (100 meters), if you need more of that, you can opt for the Byron BY302 model which comes with a range of about 655 feet (200 meters).
Main features of Byron doorbell:
- Portable chime
- 8 melodies to choose from
- Strobe light
- 330 feet of operational range
Here you can check out current pricing on Amazon.
Did you know that a doorbell can ring by itself? In fact, it is more common than you might think, especially in the case of wireless doorbells. Find out how to prevent and solve the issue in this article.
Best Doorbells for People With Severe to Profound Hearing Loss (and Deafness)
Severe hearing loss means that you can only hear sounds that are louder than 65-79 dB which is approximately equal to the sound level of a vacuum cleaner. People with profound hearing impairment can’t hear sounds quieter than 80 dB (4).
Profound hearing impairment and deafness require special care and attention, therefore ordinary doorbells are useless in these cases.
A deaf person can’t understand speech even if they use a hearing aid. Thus, only devices that use a form of communication other than sound can help people with this degree of hearing impairment.
Let’s see the best options, one by one.
1. Avantek Wireless Doorbell
This model is one of the loudest doorbells you can find on the market. It is capable of producing sounds as loud as 115 dB, so in most cases, even people with severe hearing loss can benefit from it (though, they shouldn’t be too far from the device).
It comes with 52 built-in chimes, so you can choose the one that you like most.
One caveat to keep in mind, however: not all tunes are equally loud, so you have to spend some time experimenting to find the one that suits you (or your elderly loved one) best.
The Avantek doorbell also uses LED flash notification to visually alert you when the chime rings, although it’s not always easy to notice in a bright environment (especially for seniors with visual impairment).
Installation can be done in just a few minutes: you can either use the adhesive patch or the screws supplied to mount the transmitter.
The plug-in receivers (you get two of them) are pretty small compared to other models, so they won’t take up much space around the socket.
Here you can find the current pricing on Amazon.
Main features of Avantek wireless doorbell:
- Loud receiver (up to 115 dB)
- LED indicator light (although it’s not very prominent)
- Up to 1000 feet (300 meters) of operational range in the open air
- Compact size
- Affordable
- 52 melodies to choose from
2. SonicAlert Wireless Doorbell Signaler
This doorbell signaler is a helpful and reliable product for those who suffer from profound hearing loss or deafness.
This is how it works:
The transmitter can be used as a standalone remote doorbell button (however, it shouldn’t be placed on steel doors and jambs) or it can be installed to an existing doorbell chime.
The signaler unit should be plugged into an outlet and then you have to plug a lamp into the signaler. The lamp attached to the signaler will start flashing whenever someone presses the doorbell button.
In order to work properly, the signaler and the transmitter should not be further than 50 feet from each other.
You can use the system with up to four transmitters, so if you have additional doors, this function can be pretty useful. You can also set unique flash patterns for each of your doors. This way you will always know which doorbell button is pressed.
You’ll also find an audio switch on the signaler, so you can turn the alarm sound on if you need this feature.
The SonicAlert doorbell signaler is designed primarily for the deaf and people with profound hearing impairment but seniors and those with a less severe hearing loss can also benefit from it.
Main features of SonicAlert signaler:
- Easy installation
- Can be installed to your existing doorbell chime
- Customizable flashing rate
- Can be used with your own lamp
- Available audio alarm
Check out the signaler on Amazon.
3. SadoTech Wireless Doorbell
It’s another popular loud doorbell that comes with 2 plug-in chime units and up to 1000 feet (300 meters) operation range. It’s available in many different colors and you can also opt for a model with custom text.
You can choose from 52 melodies and 4 volume levels (up to 115 dB). The device allows you to set different chimes for each of your doors (if you have at least two transmitters and receivers).
Moreover, the SadoTech wireless doorbell comes with a LED flash both on the receivers and the push button.
Besides the included plug-in receivers, you can add extra battery-operated receivers (it can be useful for the elderly or those with more severe hearing loss because this way they can always keep the unit close to them) and motion sensors too.
The SadoTech wireless doorbell is compatible with this portable vibrating receiver that can be extremely useful for anyone with a more severe hearing impairment. It comes with a belt clip so you can easily take it with you wherever you go in your home.
If you’re not afraid of some DIY you can use the included screws to install the transmitter, however, you can also mount it using the provided double-sided tape. I prefer fixing with screws as some funny guys stole my old doorbell button that I mounted with adhesive strips a few years ago. Screws prevent this problem in most cases.
Main features of SadoTech doorbell:
- Loud speakers (up to 115 dB)
- Fairly long operational range
- LED flash
- 2 plug-in receivers
- Extra add-on: vibrating receiver
- Compatible battery-powered receiver and motion detectors are also available
Here you can find the current pricing and customer reviews on Amazon.
Summary
As you can see, there are many options if you need a loud doorbell. In this review, we have collected the best ones so that anyone who suffers from mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss can find the right doorbell.
When buying, make sure you choose according to the degree of hearing impairment. Deaf people and those with profound hearing loss should have a doorbell with a visual alert or signaler. Also, if you have a hearing aid, make sure you are wearing it because that could make things much easier, especially if you are waiting for a visitor.
Sometimes, you don’t even have to buy a new doorbell, instead, you can use an amplifier or install multiple chimes in your home. When in doubt, you can always reach out to the manufacturer or visit your local hardware store to check out and try the product.
