how to watch TV shows on PC in noisy environment?

My wife and I started exercising 3X a week in a room down in the basement.
I usually lift weights, and she rides the bicycle. The bike is a Schwinn
Airdyne, which uses air resistance. The problem is that we like to watch TV
shows off of the computer, and in order to hear them over the bike, we have
to turn the volume up really high.

The last few times when we finished, I've noticed a ringing in my ears,
and now it seems to be lasting longer. I'm pretty sure I'm giving us
hearing loss. (the gift that keeps on giving)

So in order to be able to have conversations with my grandkids one day, I
need to figure out a way to hear what is on the computer, but not have to
turn the volume up so high.

My first thought was some sort of wireless headphones. That would
probably run me a couple hundred dollars, and I don't know what brand is
best.

Another option might be to hook up a wireless FM transmitter to the back
of the computer or the stereo, and then use cheaper headphones that have
radios built in.

For the exercise bike, I could probably get by with a regular set of wired
headphones, but for the weight lifting I'm not so sure, because there are
moving parts all around on the machine.

Anyone out there have experience with a situation like this? I'd really
appreciate any suggestions.

On Jan 5, 5:08 pm, "OhioGuy" <n...@none.net> wrote:
> My wife and I started exercising 3X a week in a room down in the basement.
> I usually lift weights, and she rides the bicycle. The bike is a Schwinn
> Airdyne, which uses air resistance. The problem is that we like to watch TV
> shows off of the computer, and in order to hear them over the bike, we have
> to turn the volume up really high.
>
> The last few times when we finished, I've noticed a ringing in my ears,
> and now it seems to be lasting longer. I'm pretty sure I'm giving us
> hearing loss. (the gift that keeps on giving)
>
> So in order to be able to have conversations with my grandkids one day, I
> need to figure out a way to hear what is on the computer, but not have to
> turn the volume up so high.
>
> My first thought was some sort of wireless headphones. That would
> probably run me a couple hundred dollars, and I don't know what brand is
> best.
>
> Another option might be to hook up a wireless FM transmitter to the back
> of the computer or the stereo, and then use cheaper headphones that have
> radios built in.
>
> For the exercise bike, I could probably get by with a regular set of wired
> headphones, but for the weight lifting I'm not so sure, because there are
> moving parts all around on the machine.
>
> Anyone out there have experience with a situation like this? I'd really
> appreciate any suggestions.

Hi,

If you are just watching standard TV shows and are not worried about
surround sound or extremely good sound, these should do the trick.
And you can't beat the price:

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products...ItemId=127f59d

The ringing in your ears is referred to as tinnitus. I have it, it is
permanent in my case - it never, ever stops - and is largely due to a
decade of listening to a very loud car stereo system.

Trust me, you don't want it to become permanent. So, even if you get
the headphones, keep the volume reasonable and listen to your ears.
When they ring, they are crying for help.

On Sat, 5 Jan 2008 17:08:46 -0500, OhioGuy <none@none.net> wrote:
: My first thought was some sort of wireless headphones. That would
: probably run me a couple hundred dollars, and I don't know what brand is
: best.

No no, you can spend a lot or as little as $19 for generic on the ear
or earbud bluetooth stereo headphones. Some of them come with a
stereo mini plug-to-bluetooth transmitter already, or buy a USB dongle
for another $20 and you've got a solution. If it were me and it was
going in a noisy environment I'd look solely at comfort since some of
them feel awful and you're not going to hear enough of the nuances to
make it worth shopping for sound quality. Check out the review sites
for user comfort comments

OhioGuy wrote:
> My wife and I started exercising 3X a week in a room down in the
> basement. I usually lift weights, and she rides the bicycle. The
> bike is a Schwinn Airdyne, which uses air resistance. The problem is
> that we like to watch TV shows off of the computer, and in order to
> hear them over the bike, we have to turn the volume up really high.
>
> The last few times when we finished, I've noticed a ringing in my
> ears, and now it seems to be lasting longer. I'm pretty sure I'm
> giving us hearing loss. (the gift that keeps on giving)
>
> So in order to be able to have conversations with my grandkids one
> day, I need to figure out a way to hear what is on the computer, but
> not have to turn the volume up so high.
>
> My first thought was some sort of wireless headphones. That would
> probably run me a couple hundred dollars, and I don't know what brand
> is best.
>
> Another option might be to hook up a wireless FM transmitter to the
> back of the computer or the stereo, and then use cheaper headphones
> that have radios built in.
>
> For the exercise bike, I could probably get by with a regular set of
> wired headphones, but for the weight lifting I'm not so sure, because
> there are moving parts all around on the machine.
>
> Anyone out there have experience with a situation like this? I'd
> really appreciate any suggestions.

Get noise canceling headphones. That way, you can keep the volume low
and still be able to hear what's on the TV, saving your precious
hearing.

A wireless headset should do the trick. Some have Bluetooth
technology. It's a wise and inexpensive investment to protect your
hearing. What did you say?

On Jan 5, 10:08 pm, "OhioGuy" <n...@none.net> wrote:
> My wife and I started exercising 3X a week in a room down in the basement.
> I usually lift weights, and she rides the bicycle. The bike is a Schwinn
> Airdyne, which uses air resistance. The problem is that we like to watch TV
> shows off of the computer, and in order to hear them over the bike, we have
> to turn the volume up really high.
>
> The last few times when we finished, I've noticed a ringing in my ears,
> and now it seems to be lasting longer. I'm pretty sure I'm giving us
> hearing loss. (the gift that keeps on giving)
>
> So in order to be able to have conversations with my grandkids one day, I
> need to figure out a way to hear what is on the computer, but not have to
> turn the volume up so high.
>
> My first thought was some sort of wireless headphones. That would
> probably run me a couple hundred dollars, and I don't know what brand is
> best.
>
> Another option might be to hook up a wireless FM transmitter to the back
> of the computer or the stereo, and then use cheaper headphones that have
> radios built in.
>
> For the exercise bike, I could probably get by with a regular set of wired
> headphones, but for the weight lifting I'm not so sure, because there are
> moving parts all around on the machine.
>
> Anyone out there have experience with a situation like this? I'd really
> appreciate any suggestions.

Use the thickest "ear defenders" you can find....and watch movies with
sub titles ONLY!