Working to get movie theater and concert hall to add captions or listening devices

The argument that a theater cannot get movies with subtitles is rubbish. All movies come with subtitles, including oldies and indies except in very, very rare cases. A decent theater shows those versions at different sessions. Hearing-impaired people are often speed-readers anyway. Subtitles clearly fulfill a general need; an AI reports (as usual, without citing its sources) that:

“Studies indicate that a majority of viewers, often around 70%, use subtitles regularly, with some even keeping them on all the time. This trend is not limited to those who are hard of hearing…”

I never go to opera or concerts, but if I went I would definitely like to see a screen with the lyrics.

I dunno. Maybe swap out that silver bugle at the end for tin foil? Yeah, now we’re talkin’ ins. coverage - chipping in a fraction of what we pay o’course.

@AttilaDaPun said:

“Groucho ear trumpet.”

I know, I know! He kinda looks like Groucho, and I struggled with a name for the image. Then I justified it saying, "Heck, I’M a Groucho every time I see these ridicklus images of HEARING aids. Such is my logic.

The ADA requires movie theaters to supply captions/subtitles for movies produced or distributed in digital format (not analog).

@bpeckham said:

Then visit Sydney, you must. Hmm? Yes!

Sure, I’ll add that to my bucket list.
Item 1. Trip to Sydney to stream a concert using Auracast.

I went to a performance of “Tosca” once. They had supertitles, in English, for those of us in the USA who don’t speak Italian. The performance was in Sacramento, California and we lived there at the time. They used some of the members of the Sacramento Children’s Chorus, so my son had a very minor part in it. It was a lovely performance all around, I’m glad I went, but it’s the only time I’ve seen opera live. I wish all venues used supertitles.

The article informed and amused me, picture or not.

The prawn behind the ear instantly made me think of the ugly mannequin-colored HA in that photo of a senior lady - the big plug in the ear and the big chunk of plastic behind the ear! Bleccch!

The Sydney Opera House has implemented Auracast in the Drama Theatre, Playhouse, and Studio but future installations in the Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre are yet to be confirmed.

The venue claiming they cannot get movies with subtitles is not generally true. Our local theater has subtitles for every movie on Thursdays. It is a popular night. It is a digital theater, but they all should be by now. I suggest contacting an owner.

Thanks, I will contact them

Anyone tried something like these? Kinda pricey but could be useful for some

Captify Myvu6

Smart glasses designed for the deaf/hard of hearing.

To tackle the lack of official subtitles for film showings:

There are unofficial subtitle sources online like https://www.opensubtitles.org. SRT files could be downloaded and played with the supplied official video.

If they’re able to commission a company to provide live captions on the day, they could instead commission a company to prepare subtitles in advance. https://caption.plus/

The difficulty will be copyright and other legal issues.

In the United States, the Americans With Disabilities Act, for Title II and Title III requires venues provide hearing assistance. (Many types comply)

When I was construction project manager, Telecoil was the least expensive solution for the long term. Auracast will be tremendously less expensive. But, hearing assistance was also the first thing to be whacked from the budget.

The bottom line is that government, public accommodations and commercial services must comply- both for employees and for guests.

This article may be of interest, or provide ammunition to help get something implemented where you find Auracast or Telecoil would be of benefit:

ADA Requirements: Effective Communication1

This publication is designed to help title II and title III entities understand how the rules for effective communication apply to them.

Note that closed captioning at movie theatres does not comply with ADA. If one is sight impaired, or has reading disability plus hearing loss, the captions don’t suffice.

Unfortunately, much of ADA is poorly enforced, even in government facilities. An example is the local post office which has no way for someone in a wheelchair to enter and no handicap parking. None! The next closest has 32 stairs to climb to enter. Thirty-two!