What options are available for hearing assistance in movie theaters?
Depending on the degree of your hearing loss, assistive listening systems are available. When requesting to use an assistive listening system, most theaters ask that you leave some form of identification while you borrow the device. Assistive listening systems come in three different types, including:
- Induction Loop: Electromagnetic signal
- Infrared Light: Operates as a beam of invisible light
- Radio Frequency: Works through an FM radio signal
In each of these assistive listening systems, the signal comes through a receiver in the form of either an Assisted Listening Device (ALD) or a telecoil (t-coil) located in your hearing aid or cochlear implant. A theater's ALD gets their sound directly from the theater's sound source, which means there’s no interference coming from your ALD.
How to use assistive listening devices for theaters
If you are going to a theater that uses an infrared or radio frequency system, you can use an ear bud headset if you do not want to keep your hearing aid on during the movie. Depending on your specific theater, headsets may also be available. These plug into the receiver, but do not work for people who wear behind-the-ear hearing aids or who have more than a mild case of hearing loss.
If you have a t-coil in your hearing device, you can use an induction (neck) loop, which is plugged into a jack on the radio frequency or infrared receiver. These loops allow you to regulate the volume without the need for a headset.
Just because you suffer from hearing loss doesn’t mean you have to stay at home. Next time you go to the movies or any type of active social event, check to see if assistive listening systems are available. Learn how to take full advantage of hearing assistive technologies today.
