Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
After completing all technical and user tests, our experts now give you their verdicts on each of the products tested. Corded headphones first, then cordless.
RadioShack AM/FM Radio Headset
£50
A pair of closed-cup headphones with a built-in radio, so you can either listen to your favourite AM or FM radio stations or plug the headphones into your stereo or TV (the lead is not supplied). There are also separate volume controls for left and right hand volume levels.
A convenient way to listen to the radio, comfortable to wear but only average sound quality and not very loud.
RNID Headphones
£7.50
These were the cheapest headphones on test. Although basic, they did surprisingly well. Sound quality is crisp and, if you switch your hearing aid to ‘T’, you should pick up a good inductive signal. It comes with only a short lead, so you’ll need an extension for TV listening.
These headphones were up against stiff competition but, apart from the low comfort rating, they did well.
Sennheiser HD 62 TV
£43
Well made, closed-cup headphones that gave good performance with speech and music producing clear treble and good bass sound. They are supplied with a 5m extension lead (HZR 62) that has separate sliding controls allowing easy and accurate adjustment of the left and right hand volume levels.
Disappointing comfort, but they have good sound quality and are easy to use.
Philips SBC HC8520
£50
These headphones use ‘SuperSilence’ technology which virtually eliminates background ‘hissing’ noise during quiet passages and silent pauses, giving a remarkable ambience to the sound quality.
Recommended - the most popular headphones with our user panel; they sounded good, felt comfortable and were easy to use. Ideal if you prefer closed cup headphones.
Sony MDR-RF880RK
£75
The ‘vibration’ mode on these allows you to ‘feel’ the bass tones as well as hear them! Add to this the Surround Sound feature and the headphones bring any movie soundtrack to life. But the volume and vibration level controls are very fiddly to use.
You’ll either love or hate the vibration function but you can switch it off if you want! Our user panel liked the sound and comfort, but hated the controls.
Thomson FM PLL
£30
For the price, these offer a lot of features, including automatic sound level control (ALC), and can be used with a wide range of equipment including CD players, hi-fi systems, TVs and computers. The only thing missing is automatic tuning, you have to manually adjust the tuning by rotating a small dial. All the other cordless headphones tested had automatic tuning.
Not the most comfortable or easiest to use, but good value and our user panel said they sounded good.