Did you know that more and more theaters are offering closed captioning technology to visitors? It’s wonderful to see how many theaters offer closed captioning or assistive listening devices to those that need them.
A hearing aid-wearing movie buff once told us about their experience with them at the Cinemark theater at Legacy and 75; the device fits in your seat’s cupholder and provides closed captioning for the film.
It’s pretty neat technology!
This device isn’t offered at all theaters, so make sure and check Cinemark’s website to investigate your favorite location. To find your closest theater, click on the Amenities tab on the lefthand side of the page and see if Closed Caption or Listening Device is listed as an option.
Closed captioning in movie theaters became more widespread after a Final Rule on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 2016 – movie theaters are required to have and maintain closed captioning or audio assistance equipment to help patrons that need it.
There are multiple different devices available to movie theater visitors, from the cupholder device that transmits captions to a small screen to a mirror that reflects captions projected from the back of the theater.
While there’s some disadvantages to these devices—some have complained about them feeling clunky or taking a lot of focus away from the movie—the fact that there are options available is more than many people with hearing loss challenges would have expected in the first place.
Closed captioning helps far more than the Deaf and hard of hearing communities; those with auditory processing disorders or a mild hearing loss benefit from being able to read closed captions so they don’t miss that incredible final twist in the movie they’re watching.
Seeing more movie theaters feature accessible features for those with hearing loss challenges of any kind helps us normalize the fact that hearing loss can affect anyone – and it’s nothing to be ashamed of, especially not when you’re trying to enjoy movies with loved ones.
How Family Audiology Can Help You
Upon realizing a hearing loss challenge, many people wait up to seven years before addressing it – that’s seven years of movie plot twists you’re missing!
If you or a loved one has noticed struggles with your hearing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our highly trained and compassionate team is here to help you address your hearing loss challenge and help you get back to hearing the life you love most.
You can call our Plano office at 972-943-0466, or come visit us in person during working hours.
