When you think about metal detecting, you imagine a device that beeps when it finds a metal object. However, for many older individuals with hearing loss, it becomes challenging to hear and understand these beeping sounds.
Interestingly, there are also individuals who are deaf and have a desire to engage in metal detecting. Fortunately, there are excellent metal detectors available in the market that allow them to pursue this hobby, even without the ability to hear any sounds. So…
… What are the best metal detectors for hearing impaired people?
The best metal detectors for hearing impaired persons are the Nokta Makro Simplex +, the Quest X10 Pro and the Quest Q30 because these machines have a vibration function.
In this blog, I will explain why these metal detectors are ideal for individuals with hearing impairments. Additionally, I will provide a brief overview of the advantages of each machine. Good luck in finding the most suitable metal detector for your needs!
Nokta Makro Simplex +
- Vibration Function
- Display and coil lightning
- Fully waterproof up to 10 ft (3 meters)
- 1/4” headphones adapter
- Adjustable length
- Very good value for money
Undoubtedly, the Nokta Makro Simplex+ stands out as one of the top metal detectors for individuals with hearing impairments.
One of its key advantages is the inclusion of a vibration function. This feature ensures that the handle of the metal detector vibrates upon detecting a target.
What makes it even more impressive is that the machine generates distinct vibrations for different targets, sizes, and depths, allowing users to differentiate between various objects.
Moreover, the Nokta Makro Simplex+ is fully waterproof, both in its coil and control box, allowing for underwater use up to a depth of 10 feet (3 meters). It also has additional features such as a headphones plug-in, adjustable length, and a luminous display.
Furthermore, this metal detector encompasses all the essential functions one would desire during metal detecting. It includes features like discrimination, sensitivity control, ground balance adjustment, pinpointing capability, and target identification.
Remarkably, all these remarkable features come at a surprisingly affordable price, with the machine costing under $300.
Quest X10 Pro
- Vibration Function
- Display and coil lightning
- Fully waterproof up to 10 feet (3 meters)
- Headphones plug-in
- Adjustable length
- Good value for money
Another excellent option for individuals with hearing impairments is the Quest X10 Pro metal detector. Similar to the Nokta Makro Simplex+, it features a vibration function. Additionally, this detector is also waterproof up to 10 feet (3 meters), making it well-suited for diving or underwater use.
One notable advantage of the Quest X10 Pro is its lightweight design, weighing only 2.2 lbs (1 kg). This ensures that you won’t experience arm fatigue during extended metal detecting sessions. Additionally, it offers a headphones plug-in, adjustable length, and target identification feature.
Considering its price, the value for money provided by the Quest X10 Pro is impressive. The metal detector boasts several useful functions, including manual ground balance adjustment, effective discrimination capabilities, sensitivity control, and four preset search modes.
Quest Q30
- Vibration Function
- Bluetooth Function
- Fully waterproof up to 10 ft (3 meters)
- 6 search modes
- Software update possibility
- Good value for money
Another excellent metal detector from Quest for individuals with hearing impairments is the Quest Q30. This model shares many similarities with the Quest X10 Pro, including a vibration function, as well as discrimination, sensitivity, and ground balance features. Additionally, it is also waterproof up to 10 feet (3 meters).
However, the Quest Q30 offers slightly more advanced features. It comes with six search modes, giving users more versatility compared to the four search modes of the Quest X10 Pro.
Furthermore, the Quest Q30 is equipped with Bluetooth functionality, allowing for convenient wireless connectivity. Additionally, it provides the capability to update the software whenever the manufacturers release new updates.
It’s worth noting that the Quest Q30 is slightly heavier than the Quest X10 Pro, weighing 1100 grams instead of 1000 grams. However, this weight difference is relatively minor and shouldn’t significantly impact your overall metal detecting experience.
Other good detectors for hearing impaired persons
The three metal detectors that I have mentioned earlier in this blog are in my opinion the best machines for hearing impaired persons. However, there are actually a few more metal detectors that are suitable for hearing impaired persons. Think about the Minelab Equinox 900 and the Nokta Makro The Legend Pro.
What features should an ideal metal detector for individuals with hearing impairments possess?
Considering the limited hearing ability of individuals with hearing impairments, it is essential for a metal detector to possess specific features. Firstly, it should include a vibration function and a clear display to compensate for the lack of auditory cues.
Additionally, the metal detector ought to have a headphone plug-in or Bluetooth capability for audio feedback. Lastly, the inclusion of a light indicator when detecting an object would provide valuable visual assistance.
1. Vibration function
The primary and crucial feature is the vibration function of the metal detector, specifically in the handle, which activates upon detecting a metal object. It is even better when the metal detector can generate distinct vibrations, enabling the differentiation of various targets.
For instance, the metal detector can produce gentle and subtle vibrations for ferrous targets like iron, while generating stronger vibrations for non-ferrous targets such as silver coins and jewelry. Thankfully, there are metal detectors available, like the Nokta Makro Simplex+, that possess this capability.
2. Clear display
The second important thing is that the metal detector has a clear display. The display is actually the screen where you can see all the information that the metal detector gives you.
Think about information like the target depth, the type of metal, the target ID, the battery level, the sensitivity level and the discrimination mode.
3. Headphones plug-in or Bluetooth function
The last thing that could be really useful for hearing impaired persons is the presence of a headphones plug-in or a Bluetooth function (for wireless headphones).
When individuals with hearing impairments use headphones, they gain the flexibility to adjust the volume according to their personal preferences. This allows them to set the volume at a higher level, ensuring they can still perceive some sounds.
Ultimately, using appropriate headphones makes it easier to perceive and distinguish sounds effectively.
Other tips for hearing impaired persons that want to go metal detecting
1. Use proper headphones
In addition to using the right metal detector, there are also some other things that a hearing impaired person can do. The most important thing is to use proper headphones.
With proper headphones I mean an over-ear headphones that has an adjustable volume button on both ears. Furthermore, it needs to have a stretchable cable.
Many individuals with hearing loss experience poor hearing in one ear, making it highly beneficial for them to have the ability to adjust the volume independently for each ear.
This feature allows them to set the volume at a higher level on the side with weaker hearing. In my other blog, you will find a selection of excellent headphones that offer this specific functionality.
2. Use a metal detector with a luminous display
When a metal detector detects a metal object, its luminous display will indicate the depth and type of the target. With a metal detector featuring a luminous display, you won’t rely solely on auditory tones to detect targets. Instead, the illuminated display will serve as an indicator when a target has been detected.
This allows you to focus your attention on the display, offering a convenient and user-friendly experience.
3. Use a metal detector with a luminous coil
There are metal detectors with a luminous coil. This means that the coil will light up when the metal detector detects a metal target. This could be really useful for hearing impaired persons since they don’t have to listen to the sounds in order to find the target.
4. Use the Vibra-Phone 280
The Vibra Phone 280 is a little box that you can plug in your metal detector. This little box will convert the beeping sounds into vibrations. The Vibra Phone 280 has a 1/4” plug-in size, making it suitable for the most common metal detectors.
This little box is therefore extremely useful for people that can’t properly hear. The Vibra-Phone 280 costs about $120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, deaf people can go metal detecting. However, they have to use a metal detector with a vibration function and a luminous display. Luckily enough, there are some good metal detectors with these features.
Yes, the most common metal detectors have a volume button. By using this button, you can determine the volume level. However, there are some metal detectors where you can only adjust the volume level by using headphones.
This depends on the kind of metal detector. The coil of older machines often doesn’t light up while the coil of modern metal detectors often does.