The inn that I used to own was purpose-built by a commercial architect who really knew what he was doing to isolate noise from one room to another. But even there, a noisy movie full of explosions would carry out into the hallways outside the rooms. For more traditional B&Bs that were built before even the idea of in-room movie watching existed, TV noise can have a negative impact on guest experience…and reviews!
One solution: plug a device like this one in to the headphone jack on your TVs. Of course, you’ll have to tell your guests they can unplug it if they want the TV to make noise the fashioned way (maybe they aren’t really all that interested in that noisy movie!), but these devices will allow the bluetooth earbuds or headphones that most people already carry around with them for one or more of their devices everywhere they go to be paired with the TV so they can turn it up as loud as they want! There are even models available that can connect to 2 headsets at the same time so couples can watch (and listen) together.
My wife and I have wireless headphones in our own bedroom so that one can sleep while the other watches TV. The headphones we got are a bit bulky and odd looking for our shape heads, but for us, they work great. I once had a couple stay with us where the wife was working on her dissertation in the room and the husband was going to catch up on his TV. I took our wireless headphone system down to their room and they both loved it!
I was thinking of adding wireless headphones to all the rooms, but am concerned about the sanitary issue of people sharing the headphones. Inexpensive ear buds makes sense, but I’m doubting there are inexpensive wireless ear buds around. I don’t feel like running wires — who uses wires anymore? I’ve been too busy to do the research, but what I would like is a two unit system — 1st unit attaches to TV to capture audio, 2nd unit has a headphone jack (maybe even a little speaker so that they don’t have to have it so loud) that can sit by the bedside that receives wireless audio from 1st unit.
If someone was to make a simple system like this, I don’t see why every lodging facility wouldn’t put them in all their rooms.
Wireless headphones gives you the flexibility to move away from your stereo or television without feeling like you’re going to miss something important. No longer do you have to wait for the next commercial.