In the Loop

Men Should Cry - King's Theatre

2011-11-13T15:20:00.002Z

I went to this show last night and the reception beforehand (with drinks). We met in a quiet room (I had to ask for the door to be shut when the audience began arriving!) with two members of staff. We had a good discussion about how to book and what our requirements are. When we went to our seats, I found that I could only see half of the nearer captions screen because there was a "box" balcony in the way! The other screen was too far away to read comfortably. I got a crick in my neck trying to read it and I'm sure it was disturbing for the person next to me.

We met again at the interval and reported back on how we got on. The manager was very friendly and helpful. He found me a better seat, which made all the difference. I managed to follow most of the second half, as I could see and hear better, and my ears had become accustomed to the Glasgow twang!

I would do it agin, but next time I will try to read up about the play beforehand, and I will not be afraid to ask for a change of seat if I cannot see the screen. It's not easy to know where the best place to sit if for you. For me it's a question of trial and error.

New Blog

2011-08-09T13:08:00.002+01:00

Please visit the new project blog Postcard Reviews: behind-the-ears reviews of Edinbugrgh Festivals: http://postcardreviews.wordpress.com

National Galleries Event

2011-02-14T09:47:00.002Z

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the National Gallery on Saturday and Tessa was wonderful even demonstrating some of the methods used. I would have missed a lot had I been on my own!

More tours coming soon at the National Galleries....

Sunday 20 March 2011 11am-12 noon
Tour of August Sander with Tessa Asquith Lamb Dean Gallery. Meet at the main entrance.

Sunday 17 April 2011 11am-12 noon
Tour of Portrait of the Nation with Tessa Asquith Lamb National Gallery. Meet at the Weston Link.

Sunday 22 May 2011 11am-12 noon
Tour of Jeff Koons with Tessa Asquith Lamb Gallery of Modern Art. Meet at front door.

All bookings will be taken by the staff at the Information Desk in the Weston Link/ Garden level of the National Gallery Complex in person or by ringing 0131 624 6560.

Gallery Tour

2011-02-08T16:13:00.004Z

Rosemarie Trockel
Wednesday 16th February
Lunchtime talk 1.15 – 1.45pm

Talbot Rice Gallery

Rosmarie Trockel: Drawings, Collages and Book Drafts.

This exhibition showcases a selection of the large body of paper graphic works produced by the artist over her 30-year career to date.

Join an informal talk to introduce this exhibition with a portable loop system for visitors who are hard of hearing.

Please note a portable loop system is available at all public talks and drawing workshops at the Fruitmarket Gallery and Talbot Rice Gallery. If you would like to use the equipment at an event, please contact Susan at Artlink.

For more information and
to book contact Artlink
0131 229 3555 option 1
text relay 18001 229 3555
email susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk

RNID information

2011-01-31T18:58:00.002Z

See below information from the RNID:

Do you need to turbo-charge your hearing aids?Well now's your chance. The Domino Classic helps you hear more clearly whether you already have hearing aids or not. You'll even be able to hear conversations in noisy environments and listen at a distance. There's a 28-day money-back guarantee and you'll even receive a 20% discount if you order now!Read more about the Domino Classic...

What do you think?

Festival Theatre Workshops

2011-01-26T16:29:00.003Z

They started last year. I've attended two of them up to now, and have enjoyed both.
I think the exercises we do keep your mind alert (i.e. memory). Also the role playings are good for us, hard of hearing people, as we use situations that we have experienced ourselves. I think the roles give us a chance of focusing an experience from a different perspective.
I hope somebody else can add a comment to this.
Susan and Janna are fantastic!

Talbot Rice Gallery

2010-11-11T20:09:00.002Z

I want to record on this blog how grateful I am to Susan for a very enjoyable tour "Exploring the diverse work of writer, illustrator Alasdair Gray" (Wed. 10th/11). It was well organised and coordinated.
There was some problems with the use of the microphone by the participants. However it was a trial. Hopefully we will get to know how to manage it and get the benefit of hearing all the questions, opinions, comments, etc. better.
Thank you again, Susan.

Performance Project

2010-10-15T13:25:00.006+01:00

Creative workshops for people who are over 50 and deafened, hard of hearing.

Thursday mornings 10.30am – 12pm
Nov 4, 11, 18, 25, Dec 2, 9,
Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17
The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

You don’t need any experience to take part and you won’t be expected to stand up on stage (unless you want to). The workshops are designed to be enjoyable and sociable for individuals with hearing loss.

Refreshments will be provided and there will be communication support at all workshops.

If you would like to take part or need more information contact Susan at Artlink 0131 229 3555 option 1, text relay 18001 0131 229 3555, e-mail susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk

Come Float Your Ideas

2010-06-29T13:18:00.004+01:00

Artlink are working with Hearing Concern LINK and their members to design a new art project for people who are over 50 and deafened, hard of hearing.

keep watching the blog to find out about developments and your chance to contribute to the project....

Information

2010-06-24T19:42:00.003+01:00

Do you know

Next week from 28 June – 4 July, RNID, along with UK Council on Deafness (UKCoD) and National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) are launching Deaf Awareness Week (DAW) across the UK. ??

Be careful and take a note about it. Will the BBC mention it???

Air Iomlaid (On Exchange)

2010-04-21T16:45:00.002+01:00

We've just enjoyed an excellent tour at the Fruitmarket Gallery. The gallery is exhibiting some stunning drawing by primary school children from Edinburgh and Skye produced as part of their education programme.

Its an excellent exhibition and as someone on the tour said, much more enjoyable when the work is explained - especially so enthusiastically.

Good news - the exhibition is on until the 9th May and every Friday there is an informal drop in tour at 2pm. A portable loop system is available, contact bookshop@fruitmarket.co.uk to book.

Exhibition at Deaf Action

2010-04-18T20:31:00.002+01:00

Deaf Action 175th Anniversary
Art and Crafts Exhibition
49 Albany Street, Edinburgh
All artists are deaf or Hard of Hearing
until 23rd April

Opening time:

19th: 10 am to 3 pm (Closed 12 pm -1 pm)
20th: 10 am to 3 pm (Closed 12 pm -1 pm)
21st: 1 pm to 4 pm
22nd: 1 pm to 4 pm
23rd: 1 pm to 4 pm

Highly recommended!

National Galleries of Scotland Hard of Hearing Tours 2010

2010-03-04T09:53:00.004Z

All bookings will be taken by the staff at the Information Desk in the Weston Link/ Garden level of the National Gallery Complex in person or by ringing 0131 624 6560.
A portable loop system is available on all tours listed

Sunday 18 April 11am-12noon
Tour of Diane Arbus with Tessa Asquith-Lamb
Dean Gallery. Meet at the main entrance.

Sunday 9 May 11am-12 noon
Tour of Dance with Tessa Asquith-Lamb
National Gallery complex. Meet at Info Desk on garden level.

Sunday 13 June 11am-12 noon
Tour of What you see is Where You’re At / ARTIST ROOMS
Gallery of Modern Art Meet at the main entrance.

Sunday 11 July 11am-12 noon
Tour of Christen Kobke with Tessa Asquith-Lamb
National Gallery. Meet at the main entrance.

Sunday 5 September 11am-12 noon
Tour of Impressionist Gardens with Tessa Asquith-Lamb
Royal Scottish Academy. Meet at the back door of the RSA.

Sunday 10 October 11am-12 noon
Tour of Another World: Dali, Magritte, Miro and the Surrealists
Dean Gallery. Meet at the main entrance.

Sunday 14 November 11am-12 noon
Tour (content tbc) with Tessa Asquith-Lamb Location tbc

National Gallery

2010-03-03T15:53:00.006Z

Do you know that there are lecturers and talks at the National Gallery almost every day?
They are free and interesting. Portable loops (I use headphones because they are better for my hearing) are provided. They organise also tours ( I reccommend "Mertoun House Tours") and workshops (I'll attend the "Monthly Life Drawing Class in May).
If you are interested click below for the Spring calendar:

http://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/calendar/5:367/

All the best!!

Talbot Rice Talk

2010-02-08T10:24:00.000Z

The talk was very good and there were some very interesting drawings from many different faculties of the university. I was the only one of the 12 people who used the loop. It was very worthwhile. I stayed on for another half hour to take it all in! I'm going to The Sound of Music with captions tomorrow, and looking forward to that.

Talbot Rice Events

2010-02-03T15:14:00.000Z

Talbot Rice – lunchtime talks

a portable loop is available at all public talks
To book: email info.talbotrice@ed.ac.uk or telephone 0131 650 2210.

Curator’s Talk - Wednesday 3 February – 1.15 – 1.45pm
Exhibition curator, Pat Fisher will present the rationale for the exhibition, how it has been selected and present an overview of the exhibition as a whole.

Veterinaries Talk Drawings – Wednesday 17 February -1.15-1.45pm
Dr Alastair MacDonald and colleague Colin Warwick from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary studies will give their insights into how drawing plays a key role in veterinary education and in addition will provide some of the historical background to the drawings on display.

Chemists Talk Drawings – Wednesday 3 March - 1.15 – 1.45pm
Drs Stephen Moggach and Elizabeth Stevenson, both from the School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, are delighted to give you a guided tour of the chemistry drawings and objects on display.

RNID

2010-01-29T17:10:00.002Z

I had an e mail from the RNID with this information:

Get your local deaf club involved with emergencySMS Despite nearly 4,000 emergencySMS registrations, many others could still benefit. If you belong to a deaf club, or any social group which has deaf or hard of hearing members, then why not encourage them to promote this service or even organise a 'register for emergencySMS' event?This free service enables you to contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile in an emergency. It’s very easy to register and only takes a couple of minutes.Learn how to register and watch a BSL instructional video

Did you do it? What do you think?

The Sound of Music with captions on 4.2.10

2010-01-20T20:14:00.003Z

I went to the Playhouse today to book for The Sound of Music and was delighted to find that the seats were on offer at £16. I thought they might be booked up, but I got a seat in the Circle!

Will We Rock You ??

2009-11-16T16:40:00.001Z

There appears to be lots of uncertainly about captioned performances for 'We Will Rock You' at the Playhouse. Staff say the construction of the set won't allow the usual position for the caption equipment and at present (as of 15.11.09) they haven't found a solution. Just hope they keep trying. Failing that, I'll just have to hope the action speaks louder than words!

RAINMAN at the Kings

2009-11-16T16:37:00.003Z

Front of house staff deserve praise for helpful attitude and clear explanation of how personal loop and infra red headphones work. I borrowed equipment (free of charge) to augment the essential captions and found this allowed me to pick up enough of the speech to stop looking at the captions all the time - and hence I saw more of the terrific acting.

Kes

2009-10-27T23:03:00.002Z

I have just been to the captioned performance of Kes at the Kings Theatre. It was a brilliant and very moving production. It was so good not to have to strain to hear what the actors were saying and the captions were very clear.

This is only my second captioned show. I was sitting in the stalls in row H and still found it difficult to read and watch at the same time. I had to lift my head up to read the captions. Would it have been better if I had sat further back or in the Circle? Where do other folk choose to sit? I'd be interested to know. Also where to sit in the Playhouse, the Lyceum, and the Festival Theatre.
Hilary.

Deaf Action and its Club for hard of hearing

2009-10-22T19:23:00.007+01:00

Have you heard of this Club? It is free; you can give a small donation (without obligation). The last Tuesday of the month there is a lip reading class. All the other Tuesdays there is always something going on. For instance, there was an Indian experience on 13/10; on 20/10 there were photographs of plants and butterflies to be seen. If you are interested you can 'phone Ena Wallace at 0131 665 3201 for a programme of events.
I think it is good because:
1) You can pick a chose when do you want to go
2) You can have a cup of tea and a biscuit and "try" to chat with people with the same dissability
Where? Albany Street - Edinburgh
When? At 2 pm every Tuesday

Booking

2009-10-14T09:42:00.002+01:00

I notice that the Lyceum offers an email address for Box Office, and I have - with difficulty - made use of their loop system at the Box Office. Can Artlink bring pressure to bear on Edinburgh Festival Theatre to provide an email address for Festival and King's bookings, and also instal a loop system at the box office counter?

Eva Hesse Exhibition

2009-09-27T18:27:00.002+01:00

A friend and I went to the talk on Wednesday which Susan arranged. It was an unusual display of creations in latex, metal, string, cheesecloth etc. The pieces didn't have names, so it was a great help having an artist explain what Hesse was doing. She was experimenting with different materials. She died young, so we don't know what she was working towards. We learnt a lot, and would not have got much from the exhibition without the excellent talk. Be brave, folks and try something new! Hilary.

BSL

2009-09-14T16:08:00.004+01:00

Can anybody tell me if BSL is an art?
I know that it can keep your memory exercised, your hands and fingers moving, your arms coordinated ... I think overall that it helps you to age well!!

RNID web-site

2009-09-01T19:55:00.002+01:00

I have read the RNID web-site posted by Susan and I agree: there are not many of the events in the Edinburgh Fringe "hard of hearing friendly". I think, perhaps, it would be a help if next year, the Fringe and the Festival, both, were to publish their info with the additional clarification: WITH LOOP FACILITY or NOT LOOP next to each event. The Scotsman, I think, should also help telling us in its reviews this information. After all it is only a question of 2 or 3 words!
Elena

Fruitmarket Tour with portable loop

2009-09-01T13:25:00.005+01:00

Eva Hesse, Fruitmarket Gallery

Wed 23 Sept 6.30 – 8pm

A rare chance to see the work of German-born American artist Eva Hesse, a major figure in post-war art. This exhibition focuses on small, experimental works that Hesse produced throughout her career.

To reserve a place, please contact susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk 0131 229 3555 option1, 18001 229 3555

The portable loop system will also be available at public events at The Fruitmarket Gallery

Susan's Wedding

2009-09-01T11:44:00.003+01:00

I want to join Jean in congratulating Susan in her wedding.
Now she is Susan Humble!!!
Enjoy life new and old!!
Thank you for everything you do for us.
Elena

Edinburgh Fringe Festival leaves hard of hearing visitors out of the loop

2009-08-31T14:13:00.004+01:00

From the RNID web-site:
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is not accessible for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, charity RNID has revealed today (28 August 2009), after undercover 'mystery shopper' research.

The largest charity working in the UK with hearing loss and hearing health found that only 20% of surveyed show venues in Edinburgh provided induction loops for audiences. Induction loop equipment, which amplifies speech over background noise, is essential to help hearing aid users access information about the shows and fully enjoy the performances.

Read the full article here

to post your own comments, contact Susan at Artlink susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk

Talbot Rice Gallery

2009-08-31T10:06:00.001+01:00

I went to the lecture at Talbot Rice where the staff were very friendly and loop was working very well- I still think it is better than National Gallery one.
A friend and I went to a lecture in the Bute Room by John Edgar on Bringing the stones Home. I asked to borrow the personal loop but there seemed to be a problem but they provided a room loop which worked ok for me but not so good for others.

REMINDER

2009-08-10T21:24:00.003+01:00

Thank you Susan for the e-mail and instruction. I had a lovely weekend and went to Holyrood Park to see the Cavalcade for the opening of Edinburgh Festival.

Looking forward to meet you at the next event.

library blogging class

2009-08-05T15:17:00.003+01:00

hopefully I can blog after bring taught by Susan and Stuart who were very patient with me. Many thanks to both of you.Don't be afraid to ask Susan if you want to be a blogger
Congratulations Susan on your marriage to Jamie-glad you had a lovely day for your wedding.Thank you Susan for showing me some of your wedding photos.
dress was stunning.
Greetings fromJean Shirlaw

library

2009-08-05T15:05:00.002+01:00

We have a pleasant workshop in the library this afternoon. We are practising `bloging` -ing for ART-LINK with Susan and Stuart.

We even get some refreshment which is much appriciated. Thank you.

2009-08-05T14:49:00.002+01:00

To-day I learned how to create a google account and how to sign in for google mail and how to write "BLOG" for `Art-Link`

Daisy Grant

2009-08-05T14:43:00.004+01:00

I did enjoy the talk today on Daisy Grant-it was a very striking painting. What I would like to have asked was the background a winter scene in Perthshire where they ow the Kilgraston Estate. Did I hear correctly the painting used to hang in Kilgraston School before it went to Australia?

Setting up

2009-08-05T14:32:00.002+01:00

I am now on the blog!
Susan and Stuart helped me at the Library Resource Centre.
Thank you! That was pretty painless!

Blood Brothers - captioning

2009-08-05T14:09:00.004+01:00

Seated to the left of the upper circle I was reading the words on the right. I then was turning left to see the stage. I found the constant turning from words to stage a bit of a strain!

However I found the printed words clear and the timing perfect.

Get Blogging - computer classes

2009-07-09T13:11:00.004+01:00

Learn how to use and contribute to the blog, come along to a free computer class.

Wednesday 15th July 2-4pm
or Wednesday 5th August 2-4pm
Resource Centre, Central Library

To book contact Susan at Artlink, 229 3555 option 1, typetalk 18001 229 3555 or e-mail susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk

The classes are run by the Resource Centre, part of Edinburgh City Libraries Services who offer regular computer support.

Peer Gynt - captioning

2009-06-22T10:09:00.004+01:00

I enjoyed Peer Gynt. I thought it was a good show by the cast. I didn't know much about this Ibsen work but I've been reading a little about it and understand better.

There are two things I want to say in regard to my problem of hearing what was being said:

- I wasn't able to follow
- So I have to read everything and

1) the light from the letters was blinding my sight most of the time (they were too bright)

2) the paragraphs were too near to each other ... It was confusing and very tiring.

Booking

2009-06-10T08:28:00.002+01:00

I wanted to book tickets in the Lyceum to see the play by Ibsen "PEER GYNT". There was only a telephone number. So as I am useless on the phone because of my problems with hearing, I had to asked Susan Agnew to do it for me. Thanks to Susan my friend and I can go to see this play but it makes you think ... What is the problem of doing it through the internet? Why not give an email address to contact as well as a telephone number?
I think the Campaign of "Deaf awareness" should be extended to EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE AND EVERYDAY!

West Side Story

2009-05-14T20:58:00.004+01:00

A great 50th anniversary performance of the musical, West Side Story. made better by the excellent captioning actors and actresses. Good singing vices. The dancing was exceptional.

Turner and Italy

2009-05-14T18:53:00.004+01:00

Hi Mary,
This is Erna McEvoy. Two of my lip reading class attended your talk and they thought your knowledge and communication out of this world - and I mean that. I could't get them to stop talking about it. Thanks from all of us. Erna

Museum tour

2009-04-29T15:37:00.001+01:00

My wife and I recently attended a conducted tour of the Museum of Scotland which was very informative and enjoyable. This was largely due to the facility that enabled me to hear. So often I attend public lectures that I am interested in such as the Gregory lecture at the University of St. Andrews and I am unable to hear the presentation which is very frustrating.

I have signed up for another tour on Wednesday 6 May and I am sure it will be just as rewarding.

Best wishes,
Jim.

Stagetext

2009-04-27T11:13:00.001+01:00

Stagetext has made such a difference to me in being able to enjoy a visit to the theatre. I'd just like to thank everyone involved in promoting this in Edinburgh. It would be great to see more plays offered with stagetext and on more dates.
Many thanks,
Margaret

Museum Tour - 5th & 6th May

2009-04-14T16:12:00.000+01:00

Deaf Awareness Week
Artlink Events

Museum Tour - highlights of the collection
National Museum of Scotland
Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th May 2 - 3pm

Portable loops will be provided, free but booking essential
To book, please contact Susan at Artlink 0131 229 3555,
typetalk 018001 229 3555 susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk

Filmhouse Response

2009-04-14T12:51:00.000+01:00

Filmhouse response to the problems caused by the loop system not being switched on during adverts (see Frost/Nixon post 12th March):

"It looks like the problem with the loop was more with a lack of staff knowledge I'm afraid. The film sound track as well as all ads and trailers is played through the loop on the film sound setting, any AD will only start at the film's beginning and so this is where the confusion has arisen. I will reinforce this point again to the Front of House managers and can only apologies for the difficulty this caused. As all equipment is brand new then there should be no faults and all staff should be aware of how to set them up for each individual."

"Pull, press, scrape, peel - Exploration in Pattern"

2009-04-02T15:52:00.000+01:00

- Art class at the National Galleries

There are some comments I would like to make:

1) There were 2 teachers and the first 2 Fridays (of 4), only one microphone. The teachers had to take turns to speak through the only microphone available. It was very frustrated for them and for me too.

2) At times I heard conversations I did not want to hear. It seems to me that teachers (or lecturers) are not taught how to use a microphone i.e. dealing with the hard of hearing people. Is it so difficult to switch it off when it is not needed?

3) Any time I go to any course/lecture I find it annoying that the teacher/lecturer are not aware of the problems of people with hearing difficulties. For example, when somebody/student asks a question which it is well known the hard of hearing cannot hear clearly or at all, they (teachers/lecturers) do never repeat or paraphrase it. Is it so hard to do that? Why not put them through a course so that they can learn how to "paraphrase"?

Despite all sort of problems I did enjoy it. I like art. However it will be much more enjoyable if there was more awareness about what is not to be able to hear among the professionals.

Treasured

2009-03-24T09:41:00.001Z

Thanks for organising Museum Trip which I did enjoy with the delicious coffee at end of the tour!

I found Lyndsey to be a very enthusiastic guide. Art Link was introduced to us by Aileen Paterson, our Lipreading Tutor.

I had already used the portable loop system at the National Gallery and also when I visited Mertoun, Duke of Sutherland's, house.

Can I suggest an outing to Gallery of Modern Art, the Dean Gallery and the Dovecot Tapestries?

Treasured, National Museum of Scotland

2009-03-24T09:40:00.000Z

I did enjoy the Museum tour.

It was well organised as it didn't take very long.

The equipment works very well. I didn't have any problem hearing the speaker. I have used the equipment available at other venues and found it is not as good as the one used at the museum. We agreed that having a "head-microphone" is much better than having it round the neck. It gets less interference from clothes, etc.

If Artlink purchase this system (i.e. the museum equipment) it will be very good idea to advertise it in every leaflet, booklet, newspapers (The Scotsman), Internet etc. People like me won't know about this facility/aid exists unless it is advertised.

Dreamboats and petticoats - captioned performance

2009-03-18T10:26:00.000Z

Dreamboats and Petticoats
Edinburgh Playhouse
Saturday 14th March 2.30pm

I enjoyed the show in the Playhouse on Saturday.
I often go to the Theatre and find out what is on from the Media.

The captioning in the Playhouse was not really satisfactory. It was on the floor level of the stage. Thus the actors lower limbs were not visible, since it was in front of the stage.

The screen for captioning should be placed on the top or on the middle on each side of the stage. Furthermore it was not easy to read without the Opera glasses.

I did not use the loop system because it was not clear and was very loud.

The Theatre could be made more Disabled friendly. Such as escalators or lifts to each level of the house. Some people find climbing the stairs stressful.

Museum Tour

2009-03-12T15:06:00.000Z

Treasured:
Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories
National Museum of Scotland

Guided Tour
Wednesday 18th March
2.00 – 3.30pm
and 3.30 - 4.30pm

You are invited to an exclusive tour organised by Artlink of the Treasured exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland. The exhibition features a selection of fabulous objects - some never seen before - which will feature in the new galleries when the Royal Museum building re-opens in 2011.

The museum has hearing helpers available but unfortunately these are rarely used. This tour will be a chance to test the equipment and offer your feedback. Artlink is currently looking into buying a portable loop system for use during gallery tours. For this reason feedback on the museum system would be very helpful.

The event is free and tea and coffee will be served after the tour. Places are limited. To reserve a place or request further information please contact Susan at Artlink: susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk 0131 229 3555
Type Talk 018001 229 3555.

Frost/Nixon

2009-03-12T14:52:00.001Z

Artlink Report

Venue: Cinema 1, The Playhouse, Lothian ROad, Edinburgh

Event: Subtitled Screening of "Frost/Nixon"

Date: 25 Jan 2009 (Sunday)

Review: Accessibility for deaf/hard of hearing (subtitles and infra-red headphones)

Reviewer's comments:

Background:

This was the first time I had been in the cinema for about five years, and probably only the second time in 10 years. I used to be a regular and enthusiastic cinema goer, but progressive deafness meant that I was less and less able to follow the dialogue, so I enjoyed films less and less, and more or less stopped going to the cinema about 12 years ago. At that point I was using good hearing aids which worked well for normal conversation, but didn't work well in the cinema or with TV. I started using infra-red headphones to watch TV at least 10 years ago, and found them to be very good at home, but they were rarely available in cinemas then, and also didn't seem to work as well.

I had a cochlear implant operation early in 2008 and have made good progress with it. I can now hear very well if there is no background noise, but still prefer to use a direct audio input when watching TV as the sound quality is noticeably better. I use an FM transmitter/receiver set-up made by Phonak, which is very good quality but quite expensive. I don't use loop systems that much, partly because I think they are often badly set-up, or possibly because i just don't really get on with them.

The Filmhouse uses a Sennheiser Infra-Red system to transmit the soundtrack and supplies customes with headphones or a neckloop reciever on request. I asked to see what was available and the counter staff were very helpful, showing me both types of receiver and describing how to use them. The receivers have rechargeable batteries and should of course be fully charged and ready for use when you collect them. Unfortunately, unlkie mot makes of infra-red receiver, Sennheiser receivers don't have an LED "On" indicator which is very useful to tell you if the device is on and also gives a good indication of whether the battery is runnning flat.

The headphones are the stethoscope type with soft rubber earpieces which I've tried at home in the past and I know they have very good sound quality and are quite comfortable to wear. They are a little heavy to ear for longer periods and might become uncomfortable if you were using them for several hours (e.g. watching a double-bill), but they should be fine for a normal film. The neckloop reciever looks similar, but hangs round the neck on a cord, with a separate plug-in neckloop. I can't really use normal headphones any more, but I think the headphones would be very good for people with a hearing loss that is moderate or worse. The volume level in the cinema was probably high enough for people with a mild heading loss to get by without using the headphones.

I took a neckloop receiver into the cinema and tried using it but had various problems, mostly to do with the set-up of my cochlear implant, rather than problems with the neckloop. The normal practice with loop systems is that when you switch your hearing aid to the "T" (telecoil) position, the loop receiver is activated and the microphone is turned off. This means that the hearing aid is only transmitting sound from the loop and any distracting external sounds are cut out altogether. I don't like this and have my cochlear implant set up so that the microphone still works when the loop is on. This means that I can hear on the telephone and also hear what someone in the same room is saying without having to constantly switch between normal and telecoil settings.

In the Filmhouse, my loop set-up meant that I wasn't really able to tell whether the sound was coming via the microphone or the loop. To add to the confusion, I had previously had one program on my cochlear inmplant set so that it cut the microphone input when the loop was on, but I couldn't remember which of the 4 programs it was. So I ran though several combinations several times to try to find the working combination while the adverts anmd trailers were on, without success. I was sure I couldn't hear anything through the loop, so assumed that the battery was flat and asked for a replacement, which had the same problems. Eventually, I found that the loop is not turned on during the adverts and trailers, only for the main film, which seems a mistake. It's much better to investigage and settle on the best settings before the main film is screened.

It's worth noting that setting the telecoil and volume is much more fiddly on a cochlear implant than it is on a traditional hearing aid. Also, most people will who use the loop setting regularly (which I don't) would have less trouble with the set-up than I did, and anyone who visited the cinema more than once would get it right on the second visit if they didn't manage it on the first. On the other hand, anyone who had as much trouble as I did, might not go back for a second time. It would be much better if the loop system was turned on during the adverts and trailers as this would serve as a sound check. It would also be better if there was a visual indicator of battery life on the receiver. Most infra-red headphones have a small LED indicator to show if the battery is flat, but Sennheiser is fairly unusual in not having one. It's also worth noting that infra-red transmitters and receivers generally seem to be interchageable between manufacturers. Some people will be used to wearing their own headphones at home and there's no reason why they couldn't bring them into the cinema to use. The earplugs on the Filmhouse's headphones are easy to clean, but soem people might be put off using them for hygene reasons.

The neckloop receivers have a separate loop which plugs into a socket in the receiver. I wondered if the plug would also work with any standard set of headphones, and the Filmhouse confirmed afterwards that it would work. Most NHS hearing aids and cochlear implants have a tiny socket which allows a headphone type lead (called a DAI or "Direct Audio Input" lead) to be plugged into devices like iPods. Instead of listening though headphones or with a loop, the sound is transmitted directly to the hearing aid without any distortion or interference. Few people seem to use this feature as it usually needs an additional adapter for called a DAI Shoe. The leads and shoes are not usually standard NHS issue, althought they should be as they are very cost-effective at improving sound quality.. The improvement can make the difference between hearing with difficulty and hearing clearly without effort. It seems that the Sennheiser neckloop receivers at the Filmhouse would work well with a DAI lead, but the cinema staff don't seem to be aware that the option exists.

Finally, I would have preferred to use my FM receiver to hear as it works very well and I use it every day, so there would have been no fiddling around setting it up. I realise that cinemas like the Filmhouse can't install every type of assistive devide, but I think that FM systems are becoming the norm in schools and colleges, and so many younger hearing aid and cochlear implant users will be used to FM systems and also will already have the necessary receivers. It seems a pity that FM transmitters aren't installed alongside the Infra-Red transmitters, as I think it would be a popular choice.

In spite of having teething problems getting the infra-red reciever to work with my cochlear implant, this was a very enjoyable visit to the cinema. The film itself was very good, dramatic, well-acted, tense and often quite funny, with some very good period detail. The subtitling was excellent - well synchonised, unobtrusive yet easy to read.

National Galleries

2009-03-12T14:50:00.001Z

The National Gallery sends me by post "What's on" and so, I know the events that are taking place, when and where etc.

I always feel welcome at the Gallery. They are "hard of hearing friendly" in my opinion. If you tell them they listen to you. For example: I have problems when at "Hawthornden Lecture Theatre"; some speakers like to move away from the microphone and walk up and down. I mentioned the problem and now the speakers are given a microphone which they wear pin on their clothe. Also I asked if the microphone which is on the stand has volume that can be put up. I don't know if this works because I having be back since.

I hear better with the headphones they provide. However when the lecture is at Hawthornden I cannot have headphones. I don't know why. There is a loop but as my hearing aids don't need them, it doesn't make any difference to me if it works or it doesn't.

At the moment I am doing a course at their Clore Education Centre: "Pull, press, scrape, peel - Exploration in Pattern". I'll be able to tell you about my experience (good/bad) when it finishes at the end of February

Jolson and Co

2009-03-12T14:40:00.000Z

Report on Kings Theatre visit Thursday 5th March 2009

Show seen Jolson and Co starring Allan Stewart

Captioning :- The captioning was fine and kept pace most of the time with what was being said and the only time it was slow to start was at the beginning of a new scene where it went faster to catch up. I could make out both captioning screens very clearly.

Loop :- The loop worked quite well and although I could not make out all that was being said because of my word deafness I did hear and make out most of it. However one fault I did find was that I had to hold the infra red loop in front of me and if I moved round in anyway to try and get more comfortable then the loop cut off. So as long as I did not turn round it was fine.

Seating :- This was the biggest fault of the whole Theatre visit. We were in upstairs in Level 2 circle seats. First of all the seats were far too close together so this is not good for a person with a disability in their legs. I could not get my feet on the floor or under the seat in front, because the seats were far too close together with barely enough leg room and I could not bend my knees far enough because of my disability, and so I has to sit side on with my feet dangling out into the aisle. This was really very very uncomfortable. I feel that it would be better if there was a few rows of seating made available for disabled people who have leg problems and the rows in a place where they could see the captioning screens these especially for deaf & disabled people like me. One good thing about the seating upstairs was that I could see the captioning screen on both sides of the theatre.

The Show Itself :- The show itself was fantastic considering their were only 3 main people playing parts and I enjoyed it very much. Alan Stewart was exceptional and all three actors worked well together. Alan at times was quite funny and all in all I really loved my evening. It was just a pity about the seating part which I feel wasted the night.

My thanks to Susan Agnew from Artlink who got us the tickets to this great show I think we all had a very Pleasant evening and we enjoyed it very much