I put my old little Tascam DR-05 audio recorder to a new use this afternoon.
My dad has quite advanced Alzheimer’s, along with significant hearing loss. Without hearing aids, it’s almost impossible to have a proper conversation — we’re mostly relying on facial expressions and raised voices.
The challenge with hearing aids, despite the claims and high prices from providers like Specsavers, is that they tend to amplify everything in the environment. That often means more background noise, more confusion, and more frustration rather than clarity.
So today I tried something different. I put a pair of comfortable over-ear headphones on Dad, adjusted the headphone and microphone levels on the Tascam, and spoke directly into the microphones. The result was surprisingly good — a clear, focused amplification of my voice. For the first time in a while, we were able to have a proper natter.
It also opens up other possibilities. I can record him, or load the Tascam with music and sounds he enjoys — maybe even some of his organ recitals from years gone by.
For him — and I suspect for many others — over-ear headphones feel far more comfortable and less intrusive than traditional hearing aids. And it’s flexible too: the microphones could be placed near the TV, or even by an open window so he can listen to birdsong.