Help me find small wired speaker for use with Zoom calls.

November 28, 2020 11:05 AM

My dad has a hearing aid and can't use headphones. His new computer is not loud enough. I think that he would be more comfortable with a wired speaker than with bluetooth, but everything from major brands seems to use bluetooth. Any suggestions? The one I have is called JBL micro II and it would be perfect, but it is out of date. It should be small enough to hold easily in one hand. (the one i have is about 3-4 inches diameter and about 1.5 inches thick, hamburger shape). Thanks!
posted by melamakarona to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

Does he want to hold the speaker while making the Zoom calls? Or is that just for convenience if he needs to relocate? I like my Aomais Sport II, but that may be a bit large for holding for a whole conversation. It has both and audio port and bluetooth. The battery life is also decent.
posted by ghost phoneme at 11:49 AM on November 28, 2020

Response by poster: thanks both, i think i will get the jbl go2 or the anker soundcore mini, which have good reviews. ghost phoneme, do you use a built in microphone (which both of the above have)? Is it better to use that or a computer mic? And if I wanted to use the computer mic, could I do that by using a normal audio cable (3.5mm male on both ends) without the extra thing for a mic? Thanks again.
posted by melamakarona at 12:06 PM on November 28, 2020

Ask around, someone you know may have a set of computer speakers; I wear hearing aids, and use an old set for some situations where I need extra volume. I have some old Dell Harmon Kardon speakers that are wired - audio cable and power - easy and effective.
posted by theora55 at 2:03 PM on November 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

Has he tried earbuds for Zoom, instead of his hearing aids? I'm a hearing aid wearer, and that's the only thing that works well for me.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 2:05 PM on November 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

Oh! That is a good point, I've only used the microphone when paired via bluetooth. Sorry, I should have thought that through.

I suspect you may have to use the computer mic or deal with a combination of cables that I'm not positive would work out. I'd test it out, but I haven't used the audioport in a while and my cables are stuck in my office, and we're locked out for another couple of weeks at least.

Along still_wears_a_hat's line of thinking, some hearing aids can stream audio. Frequently they need an intermediary device (not all though, especially newer ones) called a streamer. They can be expensive and if your dad doesn't like dealing with bluetooth that may make it too much of a hassle for him. But it may be worth investigating with his provider if the speaker doesn't work out and he's not inclined to change out devices. If he's using a laptop, they my even help set it up with the hearing aids if he brings it to the fitting appointment. That would also allow them to adjust the streaming program if needed.
posted by ghost phoneme at 4:41 PM on November 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

I see old old computer speakers in Goodwill all the time for no money to speak of. They all plug into headphone jacks, and most take power and have an amplifier in. Any of them would serve at a pinch.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 8:04 PM on November 28, 2020

Does his hearing aid have a mode to work with induction loop#? There's web searches that show Bluetooth necklaces with microphones that can drive the inductive sensor with a microphone for computer use.
posted by k3ninho at 5:45 AM on November 29, 2020