Waking up is hard enough for many people. But if you have hearing loss, waking up at all is sometimes quite a challenge. After all, how do you hear your alarm clock if you sleep without a hearing aid? Or if you have profound hearing problems? The good news: there are smart, practical and sometimes surprisingly creative solutions. In this blog, we take you into the world of alarm clocks for the hearing impaired. Because yes, waking up without sound is possible.
Why ordinary alarm clocks don’t work
Most alarm clocks rely on sound to wake you up: beeping, buzzing, radio music or even an irritating tune that tries to ruin your day as early as 6:00 in the morning. For people with good hearing, this usually works fine (although there are always snooze champions). But if you have hearing loss – especially if you take out your hearing aid at night – sometimes you don’t hear the signal at all.
Of course, you can set your alarm clock to “air raid” mode, but that’s not exactly cozy for your partner, roommates or pets. Fortunately, there are alternatives specially designed for the hearing impaired – and they really work.
What does an alarm clock do for the hearing impaired?
Alarm clocks for the hearing impaired make clever use of senses other than hearing. Think vibration, light or a combination of signals. The goal is simple: to wake you up without having to hear sound. There are several types, each with its own approach and benefits. Below we list the best-known and most commonly used varieties for you.
Vibrating alarm clocks (with bed shaker)
One of the most popular solutions: an alarm clock with a vibrating module, also called a bed shaker. This is a small disc-shaped device that you place under your pillow or mattress. The moment it’s time to get up, it starts vibrating – and not by much.
That vibration is strong enough to wake you up even if you are deeply asleep. Most people don’t even notice it when they turn it off … except if they forget to put it under their pillow. Then you still have to search for your alarm clock by feel. Pro tip: put it in a fixed place.
Often such a vibrating alarm clock also has a sound signal or flashing light built in, for when you have some residual hearing or like visual support.
Light alarms and strobes
Another option are light alarm clocks or flash alarm clocks. These alarm clocks use bright flashing light to wake you up. You put it on your nightstand or point it at the ceiling or wall.
The alarm clock works with stroboscopic light: super fast flashes that are really hard to ignore, even with your eyes closed. Especially in a dark room, this is an effective way to rouse you from sleep. It feels a bit like someone is signaling with a flashlight that it’s time to get up.
Light alarm clocks are often ideal for people with residual vision or light sensitivity. Also nice: they don’t make noise, so if you like waking up in silence (or don’t want to disturb your partner), this is a very friendly solution.
Combination alarm clocks: vibrate + flash + sound
Sometimes you don’t want to take any chances of missing your appointment. Then there are combination alarm clocks: they flash, vibrate and make sound. All at the same time. A kind of mini-hurricane of stimuli, specially designed to get even the deepest sleeper out of bed.
You can often set these alarm clocks entirely to your liking. Do you only want to vibrate? Fine. Want flash and sound? Also good. Some models you can even pair with your phone or hearing aid via Bluetooth or wifi.
Alarm clocks via your smartphone
Of course, we live in 2025, so yes: there are apps that can help you. There are special alarm clock apps for the hearing impaired that vibrate your phone (in conjunction with a smartwatch or vibrating bracelet), or wake you up with light if you have a smart lamp.
An example: suppose you have a smartwatch with vibration function. You set the alarm via your phone and when it’s time to wake up, your watch starts vibrating gently but clearly on your wrist. Pretty handy – and also nice when you’re traveling, for example.
Additional features that are useful
Some alarm clocks for the hearing impaired have convenient extras:
- Snooze function (for those who really can’t get out of bed at once)
- Multiple alarms (for when you need to get up in stages)
- Remote snooze button (no acrobatics to turn off the alarm)
- Connectivity to smoke detectors or doorbells (for increased home security)
So it is more than just an alarm clock: it can also be a useful tool in everyday life.
Which alarm clock suits you?
It depends entirely on your situation:
- Mild sleep loss or residual hearing? Then a combination of light and sound is often sufficient
- Do you sleep without a hearing aid and are a deep sleeper? Then choose a solid vibrating alarm clock
- Do you live together and don’t want to disturb anyone? Then vibration without sound is ideal
- Do you also want to wake up reliably while on the road or traveling? Then consider a wearable vibrating alarm clock or a smartwatch
There are an awful lot of models, from basic to super advanced. Some health insurance companies will reimburse for an alarm clock if you have a medical indication – so check that too.
Popular alarm clocks for the hearing impaired at Horend Goed
And if you don’t hear or feel anything at all?
Some people have such severe hearing loss as well as deep sleep that they don’t always sense even a bed shaker. In those cases, there are wake-up and alert systems that, for example, lightly shake your entire bed, or link you to a signal in another part of the house. That may sound like a luxury, but for those who live alone or need to care for a baby, for example, it really can be vital.
Summary
Wake up without good hearing? It can be done. All you need is an alarm clock that thinks with you – or rather, that appeals to your body in ways other than sound alone. Whether you choose vibrate, light, flash, apps or a clever combination, there is always an alarm clock that suits your life and sleeping habits.
And that’s just as well. Because no matter how you sleep, the world moves on. And of course you want to be part of it fresh, on time and well awake.
Want help choosing the right alarm clock for you or your child? Let us know. We’re happy to think with you. Even before coffee.
