[sweets11388]

This may sound a bit sad, but she is in her 90s and does not want to live anymore.  She is a music lover and hasn't heard music for over a decade.  We are going to surprise her in a week or two with music!
 
I'm looking for something very very light, probably supra-aural cans with a fiio e6+ipod shuffle.  Her hands shake a lot so any other ipod interface won't really work.  What do you guys think?  Will that setup be loud enough?  I was thinking about iems or earbuds but I don't think she would be able to get them comfortably in her ears.

 

[newphones]

You should have her consult with an audiologist, or do so yourself. All the best.
 

 

[sweets11388]

I totally agree! But not only is that very expensive, she cannot be moved out of the building...so we're  basically on our own. She can hear us when we are yelling next to her.

 

[newphones]

That's unfortunate. My guess is that she will likely require hearing aids to use headphones, an extra expense in addition to the cost of consultations as well as the headphones. 
 
Using headphones without hearing aids in her case is only inviting further damage to her hearing. 
 
Get her the medical assistance she requires first. The headphones are hardly a priority. 
 
edit: also, the yelling is probably harming her hearing even further. Please refrain. Write down what you need to communicate to her. 
 
This is just a very sad situation. 

 

[TrollDragon]

Seriously?  You seem to miss the point.  This lady is in her 90's, can't be moved for the testing you suggest even if it were pertinent, and I quite imagine that at this stage of the game, further hearing loss from headphones is probably a moot point.  This lady, so the OP stated, has lost her desire to live. 
 
Music can be a magical tonic and a soothing balm -- if a set of headphones, played loudly or not, can bring joy to her life once again, then I say go for it. Your concerns for her hearing loss would be admirable...if she were 30.  It's a bit like not treating an elderly person who requires strong pain medication because you're afraid they'll become addicted to it.  At 90 years of age, what difference would it make if it provides a few years of much needed comfort and relief.
 
All grandparents should be so lucky to have family who care that much.
 
The iPod shuffle and E6 should be a good combination along with a pair of Sennheiser PX 100-II portable headphones, otherwise I would recommend the beyerdynamic DT235, personally I think she would find those ones easier to use and more comfortable.
 
Others will chime in with choices and good luck to your grandmother.

 

[Sir Tmotts III]

I'd suggest bone conduction headphones

 

[newphones]

Quote:

I'd suggest bone conduction headphones

 
This seems like a much better idea. 

 

[kalbee]

Considering her hearing is already weakened, could mean that the hammer is no longer sensitive enough to pass as much vibrations from the drum (or other reasons). Not sure if "louder" would actually further damage her hearing... so guys, put that idea aside.
 
And, well said TrollDragon.
 
Anyhow, my two main reach in the case for your grandmother would be a headphone that is:
-COMFORTABLE. Cannot stress this enough, especially at her age.
-Can play loud without distortion.
 
A sensitive pair of headphone would certainly help, it will net you a higher perceived volume for delivered power.
 
And frankly, in terms of comfort... the most comfortable (and convenient without being ridiculously expensive) ones I've tried are probably still Bose. It's also more commonly available. Don't bother with the more expensive noise-cancelling ones. I think that makes it the AE2 but I'm not 100% sure with their product naming. Otherwise those Sennheiser PX-200-II or 100-II would be pretty nice.

 

[newphones]

This is just so ignorant it's appalling.
Quote:

Considering her hearing is already weakened, could mean that the hammer is no longer sensitive enough to pass as much vibrations from the drum (or other reasons). Not sure if "louder" would actually further damage her hearing... so guys, put that idea aside.
 
And, well said TrollDragon.
 
Anyhow, my two main reach in the case for your grandmother would be a headphone that is:
-COMFORTABLE. Cannot stress this enough, especially at her age.
-Can play loud without distortion.
 
A sensitive pair of headphone would certainly help, it will net you a higher perceived volume for delivered power.
 
And frankly, in terms of comfort... the most comfortable (and convenient without being ridiculously expensive) ones I've tried are probably still Bose. It's also more commonly available. Don't bother with the more expensive noise-cancelling ones. I think that makes it the AE2 but I'm not 100% sure with their product naming. Otherwise those Sennheiser PX-200-II or 100-II would be pretty nice.

 

[joshkim12]

If she's that hard of hearing then I think the e6+ipod shuffle combos a good idea.  You can double amp the signal and iems would probably be better since they can blast the sound directly into the ear canal.  

 

[grokit]

My mother is hard of hearing, to the point of being legally deaf. I recently bought her some XB500s and she loves them. She hears low frequencies much better than others, and the "experts" always want her to try headphones that are tilted to the upper frequencies. But that hurts her ears; she's a basshead! The XB500s also fit the comfort and efficiency criteria.

 

[davidsh]

XB-500 is actually a pretty good idea. Also look into bone conducting headphones I guess

 

[kalbee]

Quote:

This is just so ignorant it's appalling.

Only stated one of the many possible reasons for hearing losses.
I don't actually remember which one was that for age (though I think it had to do with the loss of sensitivity of conducting bones?), so spare me one 

The point was to recommend something
 
If that being the case, I do wonder about the efficiency of bone conducting headphones but it's worth a try.

 

[sweets11388]

thanks for the responses! I honest didn't expect this many people to chime in.
 
I think the XB500s may be a little too heavy.  She may need assistance putting them on her head every single time anyway so as long as they're light, I guess.  We certainly don't want to make her deaf!  If anybody has armchair experience in audiology for the elderly I'd love to hear it.  We just can't afford any kind of specialist, her hearing aids alone cost 3,000 (which we are hoping to take out in favor of headphones during music).  
 
I'm eyeballing the px 100 II, I just hope it's loud enough for her.  IEMs I just don't see happening, I doubt she will get a good seal.

 

[HalidePisces]

Maybe consider the Sony MDR-MA900 if weight is an issue? I saw it in a store a few days ago and according to specs, it weighs a little under 200g despite the 70mm drivers in it. But at ~300 USD it's expensive, especially considering the cost of Sony's other 70mm headphone (the XB1000). With a little bargain hunting, you can it for less.

I might be able to get a chance to demo the MA900 in a few weeks.