The Best Medical Alert Systems for Hearing-Impaired Users 2024
The Senior List is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews. Click here to learn more about our editorial review process and click here to learn more about how we are compensated.
Overall Rating:
View Packages855-675-0754
Overall Rating:
View Packages800-915-8738
Medical 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.
The 5 Best Medical Systems for Hearing-Impaired User
- Bay Alarm Medical : Fast Response Times
- Medical Guardian : Best GPS System
- MobileHelp : Most Affordable System
- ADT : Best In-Home System
- Life Alert : Best Customer Service
Our Methodology
| 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:
- Pricing: Medical alert systems can be expensive devices that come with additional activation and service fees. We researched devices that offer value for the money and don’t require long-term contracts.
- Comfort: Medical alert systems are useless if a person won’t wear them. Because of this, we prioritized comfort for daily wear.
- Response times: Response times factor heavily into the usefulness of a medical alert system, since a fast response can mean life or death in a medical emergency. All the devices on this list have industry-leading response times.
- Range: Medical alert devices call the dispatcher through a box placed in your house, and the range between these devices is not always unlimited. We listed the device ranges so that you can figure out whether the system matches the user’s house.
- Volume: Medical alert systems need a speaker that is loud enough to hear in an emergency. Focusing on hearing-impaired users, we chose devices whose speakers are easy to use for anyone.
Our Top Picks
1. Bay Alarm Medical - Fast Response Times
What We Like Most:
- Industry-best response time
- Caregiver support
- One-month free trial
- Clear, voluble speakers
Overview
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.
Pros
- Great response times
- Multiple device options
- Free trial period
- High-quality speakers
Cons
- Installation fees
- Warranty fee
2. Medical Guardian - Best GPS System
What We Like Most:
- Free fall detection
- High-quality speakers
- GPS-tracking options
- Good customer service
Overview
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.
Pros
- GPS tracking features
- Built-in fall detection
- High-quality speakers
- Fast response times
Cons
- Landlines may be required in some cases
- Extra features come with extra fees
3. MobileHelp - Most Affordable System
What We Like Most:
- Diverse device options
- No extra charges
- Sale prices
- Great speakers
Overview
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.
Pros
- Great sale prices
- Solid response times
- Mobile and at-home device bundles
- No installation fees
Cons
- Fall detection cost
- Paid monthly warranty
4. ADT - Best In-Home System
What We Like Most:
- Versatile payment plans
- Free trial period
- No installation fees
- Great speakers
Overview
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.
Pros
- Payment plan options
- Risk-tree trial period
- No hidden fees
- Fast response times
Cons
- Short device ranges
- Paid fall detection
5. Life Alert - Best Customer Service
What We Like Most:
- 24/7 emergency monitoring
- 10-year battery life
- Brand reputation
- Fantastic customer service
Overview
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.
Pros
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 emergency monitoring and checkups
- Brand identity
- 10-year battery life
Cons
- High monthly prices and installation fees
- Mandatory three-year contract
Are There Medical Alert Systems Made for Those With Hearing Loss
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.
Bottom Line
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.
