If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, a standard alarm clock may not wake you reliably.
There are alarm clocks and waking devices designed to alert you using vibration, light, or amplified sound, or a combination of all three.
What to look for in an alarm clock
There are lots of alarm clocks and waking devices designed for deaf people and those with hearing loss, at a range of price points.
Think about which type of alert will work best for you, and whether you need more than one method to wake reliably.
Vibration and tactile alerts
Some alarm clocks come with a vibrating pad, which is often called a bed shaker or pillow shaker. The vibrating pad creates physical movement which helps wake you from sleep.
Bed shakers are placed under your mattress and pillow shakers sit under your pillow.
Features to look for include:
- adjustable vibration intensity, from gentle to powerful
- wireless or Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone app
- a clip or safety pin to keep a pillow shaker in place overnight
Vibrating smartwatches and wearable armbands can also work as silent alarms, using a gentle vibration on your wrist.
Visual and light-based alerts
Visual alarms use flashing lights or gradual illumination to signal your wake-up time. Options include:
- strobe lights, which can be mounted at the end of the bed for maximum visibility, so you can see the bright lights even with eyes closed
- sunrise simulators, which gradually increase in brightness over around 30 minutes to mimic a natural sunrise
- smart bulbs that connect to a hub such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, and can be programmed to switch on or change colour at a set time
Extra-loud and low-frequency sound
If you have some hearing, an amplified alarm clock may help. Some models reach volumes of up to 120 decibels, which is much louder than a standard alarm.
Research shows that low-frequency sound signals of around 520 Hz are more effective at waking people with hearing loss than the high-pitched beeps found in most standard alarms.
Look for clocks that use a low-frequency or square wave signal for best results.
Smartphone accessibility features
Modern smartphones can double as accessible alarm clocks. In your phone’s accessibility settings, you may be able to set up and/or combine:
- high-volume alerts
- vibration
- a flashing camera light
This can be a practical, cost-effective option if you already own a compatible smartphone.
Buying an alarm clock
Get help to pay for an alarm clock
You may be able to get help with the cost of an alarm clock from your local council’s sensory support team.
Find your local council’s website on GOV.UK.
Contact the sensory or social services department. They should do an assessment to find out what support you need.