Equipment
Vision and hearing
Magnifiers, amplifiers, and high-contrast aids. Often the cheapest way to restore independence to a task that had nothing to do with mobility.
How to use this page
Every item below is listed with what it is for, the price band to expect, and the brands you will actually see. Ask your occupational or physical therapist which of these fits before you buy: much of it is covered as durable medical equipment with a physician order.
About the product links on this page. Where we link to a specific product, we earn a commission if you buy through it. It does not change the price you pay, and it does not influence which equipment we cover.
Vision and hearing: 5 items
Vision
Handheld lighted magnifier
Read small print with low vision
- Typical price band
- $12–$30
- Brands you will see
- MagniPros, Fancii
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- Low vision
Hearing
Hearing amplifier (PSAP)
Amplify sound (non-prescription)
- Typical price band
- $30–$90
- Brands you will see
- MEDca, Banglijian
- Typical rating
- ~4.1★
- Commonly used for
- Hearing loss
Vision
Digital / electronic magnifier
Screen magnifier for macular degeneration
- Typical price band
- $40–$150
- Brands you will see
- Eyoyo, Various
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Macular degeneration
Vision
Large-print / talking clock & watch
Time telling with low vision
- Typical price band
- $15–$35
- Brands you will see
- JALL, Various
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Low vision
Hearing
TV listening / amplified headphones
Hear TV without max volume
- Typical price band
- $30–$70
- Brands you will see
- SIMOLIO, Sennheiser
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Hearing
Often the cheapest independence you can buy
These solve tasks that had nothing to do with mobility. Someone who cannot read their own medication label has lost more independence than the label suggests, and the fix is usually inexpensive.
Try light before magnification
A good deal of what reads as failing vision is simply poor light. A bright, directed task lamp is worth trying first. After that, a handheld lighted magnifier suits labels and post, and an electronic one suits longer reading.
An amplifier is not a hearing aid
A personal sound amplifier makes everything louder, including the fridge. A hearing aid is set to the shape of one person’s hearing loss. An amplifier is a reasonable stopgap and a poor substitute for an assessment.
Contrast beats size
A large print clock in washed out grey is harder to read than a smaller one in black on white. When choosing anything on this page, look at the contrast before the size.
Guides on this site
Before you buy anything
Check our equipment coverage guide first. Many of these items are covered as durable medical equipment, and a loan closet or a rental is often the better call than buying. Product links on this site earn a commission. It never changes which equipment we cover.