FYI: Looking for a medical alert system for as low as $20 per month? Then check out our full rundown of the best medical alert systems overall.
The Best Medical Alert Systems for Hearing-Impaired Users 2023
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View PackagesMedical alert systems provide safety and peace of mind to seniors who are at risk for falls or other emergencies. With thousands of seniors getting injured each year from falls, a medical alert system can be a low-cost way to ensure that if this incident arises, help is not far away.
For hearing-impaired users, the speakerphones on medical alert systems need to be sufficiently loud to communicate the proper emergency procedures if the dispatcher is called. We chose these five medical alert systems for hearing-impaired users to help you ensure that your loved ones can age in place safely.
FYI: Looking for a medical alert system for as low as $20 per month? Then check out our full rundown of the best medical alert systems overall.
| Companies evaluated | 20 |
|---|---|
| Hours of research | 100+ |
| Hours of product testing | 150+ |
| Finalists chosen | 5 |
With dozens of medical alert providers out there, here’s how we evaluated our favorites:
Cost: From $24.95 per month
Bay Alarm Medical is a great medical alert system for most homes. Their SOS home system boasts a range of 1,000 feet, a waterproof necklace, and landline/cellular connection options. They also offer mobile versions (SOS Mobile and SOS Smartwatch), which use GPS tracking to keep tabs on your loved one wherever they go.
The speakers on their devices are all loud and clear for those who are hard of hearing, and their devices come with caregiver support options as well as a 30-day risk-free trial. They don’t require long-term contracts, but they do charge a one-time installation fee of $30 to $160, $10 per month for fall detection (though this is below the industry average), and $4.95 per month for a warranty.
With their dispatchers answering our test calls in five to 15 seconds, they lead the industry in delivering fast communication to those who need it most, which is another reason why they’re our top pick.
To learn more about this provider, read our full review of Bay Alarm Medical.
Cost: From $29.95 per month
Medical Guardian earns our pick for the best GPS medical alert necklace, though they also have home options. Priced between $39.95 and $44.95, the Mini Guardian, Mobile 2.0, and MGMove feature advanced GPS location-tracking within the necklace. Unlike many mobile alert systems, you don’t have to carry around a base unit.
We like Medical Guardian’s customer service, the clear speakers on its devices, and its response times (10 to 20 seconds), which are well below the industry average of 30 seconds. While some of its devices have an unlimited range, the Mobile 2.0 has a range of 500 feet. Similarly, while most of its devices come with built-in fall detection, the MGMove smartwatch does not.
You’ll need to do your research to find the device that’s right for you. Also, be warned that Medical Guardian charges extra fees for extra features, such as tech support ($6.99/month), wall buttons ($4.99/month), and an automatic alert system ($2.99/month). However, free fall detection and advanced GPS tracking make them a great pick for those looking for a mobile medical alert device.
To learn more about our experience with Medical Guardian, read our full Medical Guardian review.
Cost: From $19.95 per month
MobileHelp offers medical alert devices that go on sale quite often for $19.95 per month, making them the cheapest option out there. You can also get discounts by paying annually rather than monthly, though they do charge $11 per month for fall detection (the industry average) and $6 per month for warranties.
We like their bundled devices (Duo, Mobile Duo, and Touch Duo), which offer home and mobile medical alert protection for a combined fee between $41.95 and $64.95 per month. We didn’t see any extra startup, installation, or device fees with MobileHelp, and they scored well in our response time tests.
The speakers are high-quality, so even users who are hard of hearing should be fine using their devices. Their Classic home system costs $34.95, but you can check for their frequent sales if you want to get a great deal on a solid system.
To learn more about our experience with this provider, read our full MobileHelp review.
Cost: From $29.99 per month
The Basic System from ADT is landline only and costs $29.99 per month. It only has a range of 300 feet, so it won’t be suitable for all living situations. Their upgraded system, called Alert Plus, costs $37.99, uses a wireless LTE connection, and has a range of 600 feet. They also have an On-the-Go System for $39.99 with a 100-foot range, which requires you to carry around the base unit. The comparatively small range between the box and the alert necklace compared to other companies’ devices is easily the worst part of the ADT system.
However, if your living situation can accommodate it, ADT tested great in our response time tests (five to 15 seconds) and didn’t nickel and dime us with extra fees. Their affordable devices all have great speakers too, so you don’t have to worry about inaudible emergency calls.
You’ll have to pay for fall detection ($11 per month), but everything else comes with the plan, including a free 30-day trial and versatile payment options that can be billed monthly, quarterly, or annually.
To learn more about our experience with ADT, read our ADT Medical Alert review.
Cost: From $49.95 per month
Life Alert’s devices are the most well-known in the industry, backed up by great speakers and fast response times. They dispatch their emergency medical communication from monitoring offices that they own and operate. Their customer service is the best in the business, which may help you convince a stubborn loved one to accept a medical alert system in their home.
However, for all this, Life Alert customers pay premiums, with the highest monthly prices we’ve recommended at $49.99 to $98.95 per month. They also charge huge fees, including $395 in installation and activation fees in addition to a mandatory three-year contract. Their waterproof devices have great speakers, but they don’t come with fall detection, voice activation, or a particularly large range (800 feet).
Without a doubt, you’re paying for the brand and the customer representation when you buy Life Alert. Yet for those who can afford it, they offer well-built devices and fantastic customer service. Their representatives are more than happy to help you find the right device for your needs and continuously monitor your situation at home for as long as you use them.
To learn more about this company, read our full Life Alert review.
There are no medical alert systems specifically made for those with hearing loss. However, most medical alert systems are tailored to seniors – the best brands know that many of their target users have less-than-perfect hearing and compensate with loud, high-quality speakers, either on the base unit or in the all-in-one wearable necklace.
Even from different rooms, users can usually communicate with the medical alert dispatcher. Aside from Life Alert, most devices also come with free 30-day trial periods and no long-term contracts, so if you’re in doubt about the speaker quality, you could always try one out to make sure it works for your or your loved one’s needs.
A medical alert device is a much more reliable emergency medical system than a normal cell phone. They usually come with high-quality speakers, discreet wearable pendants, and much faster response times than a normal call.
If you or your loved one is at a higher risk for a medical emergency or a fall and also suffers from hearing loss, any of the devices on this list could be a great way to make the home safer.
