Monitoring a baby while they’re sleeping can be challenging for any parent. Yet for deaf or hard of hearing parents, there are extra challenges involved.
A variety of baby monitors are marketed to the deaf or hard-of-hearing communities, but not all of them work as advertised or have strong enough alerts to capture your attention.
We’ve searched for the best baby monitors to help deaf and hard-of-hearing parents stay connected to their little ones while they’re not in the same room. We looked specifically for features such as light alerts, vibrations, clear video monitoring, and night vision.
We’ll discuss the finer points of what makes a good baby monitor for a deaf parent and review our favorites so you can stay better connected to your baby at all times.
- Large and clear screen
- Room temperature monitoring
- Infrared vision
- Two-way audio intercom
- Displays nursery temperature
- Light alerts, lullaby & night vision
- DECT 6.0 provides crystal clear transmission
- Go hands free
- Lights and vibration alerts
Product Reviews
Here are five great baby monitors for deaf parents.
Motorola Video Baby Monitor
Best All Around
This baby monitor comes with two cameras for full coverage, so you can see your baby or toddler no matter where they are in the room. When they’re a bit older, the two cameras can help give you a bird’s eye view of any room they choose to play in. You can even adjust the viewing angle of both cameras via the parent unit, so you never have to disturb your baby’s sleep.
As for the viewing unit, it has real-time video with a 5-inch LCD color screen. This large, high-quality image works great during the day, while infrared vision gives you a clear image at night.
Even if your baby makes the tiniest noise, the high-sensitivity microphones will pick up on it and alert you immediately.
Pros
- Large, clear screen.
- Cameras can be tilted and moved from the parent unit.
- Room temperature monitoring.
- Infrared vision.
Cons
- Microphone won’t pick up baby noises over a sound machine.
- Poor battery life.
Our Ratings
Dr. Meter Baby Monitor
Best for Viewing
This monitor offers something most don’t: the option to add up to four more cameras. You can purchase additional cameras separately from the manufacturer. For deaf parents who would like to have a baby monitor that displays the entire room, this is your best pick.
There’s a light indicator for gauging noise in the bedroom; however, there’s no vibration feature. This monitor also offers two-way audio communication so you can calm your baby from afar.
The digital video signal is displayed on a 5-inch screen with a high-resolution display.
The extra features include a temperature sensor, allowing you to monitor the nursery air. It also has night vision for monitoring without waking your baby.
The monitor includes preprogrammed lullabies, so your little one might start showing some genre preferences early on. In an open space, the range covers up to 1,000 feet.
Pros
- Light alerts.
- Ability to add cameras for additional viewing.
- Lullaby and night vision features.
Cons
- No vibration alert option.
- The battery only lasts about 6 hours.
Our Ratings
VTech DM221 Vibrating Baby Monitor
Best for Convenience
This VTech model has a graphic sound indicator that can show up to five different sound levels. It makes it easy for deaf or hard-of-hearing parents to monitor the sound in their baby’s room visually. This model includes one parent unit and one nursery unit.
The parent unit has a vibration alert, so if you take advantage of the hands-free belt clip, you won’t miss notifications. The range is substantial (1,000 feet outdoors, 160 feet indoors), providing flexibility for moving about with your unit while your baby is asleep.
On the nursery unit, the top loop doubles as a night light to help soothe your baby, but parents can also speak to their baby through the parent unit.
Pros
- The nursery unit doubles as a night light for soothing.
- Includes belt clip.
- The alerting system includes lights and vibrations.
- Substantial range of 1,000 feet outdoors and 160 feet indoors.
- Good customer service.
Cons
- No video display.
- It sometimes has connectivity issues.
Our Ratings
Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor
Best for Tech
For those parents who like their high-tech gadgets, the Nanit Pro was designed for you. You’ll geek out over all the special features.
The setup is easy for this specialized device that contains a camera built into the included wall mount. There aren’t any exposed cords, so it’s safe for babies. There’s a gentle night light on the wall mount with an option for dimming. You can turn the night light on and off from your smartphone via the Nanit app.
The HD video and audio stream directly to your mobile device, offering easy routine checks. Temperature and humidity sensors help ensure your babe is cozy, and you can zoom in and out for better viewing.
Aside from these features, the app is full of data, including sleep tracking, personalized tips, and more.
If you purchase the smart sheets to go with this monitor, the app will track your baby’s height. Or purchase the breathing wear — a gentle fabric wrap that swaddled your baby’s torso — to track your little one’s breathing. This means no more going to the nursery to check if your baby is breathing every 5 minutes!
On top of this, parents can snap pics and videos to send directly to loved ones. This monitor’s amazing features just don’t end.
Pros
- Easy to set up with thoughtful packaging.
- Collects data and offers tips.
- Excellent video quality.
- An app with unique features.
- Temperature gauge.
- You can switch the night light on or off remotely.
Cons
- You can only adjust the camera angle manually.
- A monthly subscription is required for some features.
Our Ratings
Nannio Hero3 Video Baby Monitor
Best Value Baby Monitor
This baby monitor has a few features that make it excellent for deaf parents. Firstly, it has vibration assistance, so when noise is detected by the monitor, the unit will vibrate. This is fantastic for when the unit is in your pocket or on your bed while you are taking a nap.
The parent unit automatically switches on with video and light alerts when there is noise detected. Besides these features, it also has other cool details that make it stand out from other monitors. It has three modes: video mode, audio-only, and voice activation so that you can communicate with your baby via the unit.
The baby unit also has a soothing night light to either comfort your baby or give you some light when you’re doing late-night diaper changes. It also has five lullabies to comfort your child as they fall asleep. This baby monitor is backed by free technical support and a 2-year warranty, so you can be sure that it will last throughout your child’s early years.
Pros
- Good video quality.
- Allows you to speak to the baby via the unit.
- 985-foot range.
- Nine volume options.
- You can swivel the camera for the best view.
- Easy to connect without WiFi.
Cons
- Not the best quality in dark conditions.
- Battery diminishes after about a year.
- The unit vibrates for any sound, not just crying.
Our Ratings
Do I Even Need a Baby Monitor?
There’s no hard and fast parenting rule that says you must have a baby monitor. If you live in a small home, your baby is probably rarely out of your sight anyway.
For most parents, a baby monitor adds more peace of mind and keeps them from running to the nursery every five minutes while their baby is napping. It’s a convenience many deaf parents prefer, but whether you get one is up to you.
What Monitors Are Suitable for Deaf Parents?
In America, roughly 10 million people identify as hard of hearing and one million as deaf (1).
As one of those 11 million, you’re likely seeking a baby monitor that doesn’t rely on audio alarms. You need other functions to notify you when your baby is crying or needs your attention.
In recent years, the industry has moved past simple audio-only gadgets, offering a better range of monitors than ever before. The three features that will be most important to you are video, vibration, and lights.
- Video: A small camera is placed in the baby’s room on a flat surface or mounted to the wall overlooking the crib. The video feed streams to the receiver, which is usually portable and may include night vision mode.
- Light indicator: This feature activates when your baby cries or makes any sound.
- Vibration indicator: Similar to the light-up indicator, the alert will vibrate, similar to a cell phone.
Other Features to Consider
While the alert method is crucial, there are other features to think about. Plenty of monitors come with bonus features that may be the deciding factor when you’re narrowing down your choices.
- Rechargeable batteries are a great addition! They ensure you’re never without power, so you don’t have to make emergency trips to the store for batteries. If you’re a traveling parent, this could be a lifesaver.
- Wireless network features may be a boon if you want to be able to view your baby on your smartphone or computer.
- Don’t forget about special functions, like the ability to play a lullaby. Some video monitors will also have a night vision mode, giving you a good view in a darkened room.
- Other features include monitoring the temperature in the baby’s room. Plus, you have to consider the unit’s range and the battery’s longevity.
Consider the bells and whistles carefully. You don’t need to pay extra for a feature you won’t get any use from.
FAQs
What is the Number 1 Best Baby Monitor for Deaf Parents?
The best baby monitor for deaf parents to use is one that offers visual alerts and vibrations in addition to audio signals. Brands like Philips Avent and VTech offer monitors with these features, enabling parents to see and feel when their baby needs attention.
Do Baby Monitors Record Conversations?
Some baby monitors, especially those with video capabilities, have the option to record. However, this feature varies by model, so it’s important to check the specifications if recording is a concern or necessity.
Do You Leave Baby Monitor on All Night for Deaf Parents?
Yes, deaf parents often leave the baby monitor on all night with visual alerts activated, such as a flashing light or vibration, to ensure they’re alerted when their baby wakes up or needs attention.
Is It Better to Have a Wi-Fi Baby Monitor for Deaf Parents?
A Wi-Fi baby monitor can be a good choice for deaf parents as it often comes with an app that can send notifications to a smartphone or tablet, providing another layer of alert.
Are Wearable Baby Monitors Worth It for Deaf Parents?
Wearable baby monitors can be worth it for deaf parents as they provide physical alerts, like vibrations, which can be particularly helpful during the night or when away from the main monitor.
