External speakers for TV

[Keyser.]

I realize this isn't exactly computer technical help, but I figured some of you guys might be able to help me out.

My dad owns a cheapish 32" Vizio Widescreen LCD HDTV. He doesn't have the best hearing, and his living room is pretty big so sometimes he has a hard time hearing even with the TV volume maxed out.

I would rather not purchase an entire receiver/surround sound system. Can I just buy some powered external speakers and hook them up to the TV somehow? Is there anyway to get a little more volume out of the TV without a receiver and the whole works?