By: Frank Engelman | Posted: August 7, 2020 | Updated: April 19, 2023
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The Problem to be Solved
Hearing Challenges and Video Calls
Some people with hearing issues find video calls challenging because they can’t always make out what people are saying. We wanted solutions that could help with that.
Amazon has implemented an inexpensive couch-side audio system using a Fire TV Cube and Echo Dot speakers near where you are sitting. This is much better than trying to hear the TV from across the room.
To set this up, you need to have your Fire TV Cube and Echo Dot speakers already configured and placed near your seat. Just follow the setup instructions that came with the devices.
The Products
You can find the products discussed here at the links below (which go to Amazon [affiliate links]).
In the Alexa app, tap Devices in the lower right corner
Tap the “+” in the upper right corner
Tap the “Set Up Audio System”
Tap “Home Theatre”
Select the two speakers and tap Next
Choose which is left and right and use the swap button if necessary
Tap Next
Chose a name, suggestion- Home Theatre
Tap Next
Select a room (group)
Tap Save
Setup on your Fire TV Cube
You should see this popup
You can watch the Play Preview or skip
You will see a message about your Fire TV remote now controlling audio volume (add figure)
If you get a loud clicking sound
Turn down your TV volume
If you experience a Lip Sync problem
Hold the Home button for 5 seconds
Scroll over and tap Settings
Scroll over and tap Display & Sounds
Tap on Home Theatre System
Scroll down to Lip Sync Tuning
It takes a bit of practice, but get the ball to drop on the line in sync with the beep
Tap Home
You show now be enjoying stereo sound near to your ears without earphones
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Retired Intel Engineer wanting to share DIY technology tips for the children of parents wanting to remain living independently. I like posting ideas and answering technical questions. If a product or software has an issue making it hard for seniors to use, I try to offer workarounds and also try to contact the manufacturer for solutions. I write a column for this website in the Innovation- Homebrew Solutions & Ideas section