Television

Television can be a problem for many hearing-impaired people because visual cues are not always available. Many TV personalities speak rapidly and sometimes background noise can interfere with the dialogue. Some hearing-impaired people find that, with practice, they can do reasonably well with their hearing aids or special adapters, which bring the sound closer and eliminate environmental sounds.

Movies

Some people do very well with their hearing aids when they go to the movies, but some general suggestions may help you if you are having difficulty in this situation. Experiment by sitting in various seats throughout the theater so that you find the best spot for your needs. Avoid sitting near children who tend to be noisy and try not to sit under the balcony. Also try to sit close enough to screen so that visual cues can help you. By law, theaters should provide an amplification system or device to aid hearing impaired viewers. Ask the attendant at the ticket booth or customer service desk for more information.

Solution:

TV Ears - This device is a wireless infrared system that assists individuals by overcoming background noise, reverberation, and distance from the sound source. This system is comprised of a transmitter, a headset, and operates for approximately ten hours on a 3-hour charge. Operational range is limited to 50 feet line of sight from the transmitter. Some models may be taken to public places (movie theaters, churches, etc.) that operate using the universal transmission frequency as required by the ADA.