audioprocessing difficulties -subtitles on films

[Toffeelatteplease]

We know DS has a lot of audio processing diffIculties. His hearing is really good but if there is background noise his brain has trouble processing what noise he has to listen too.

in the last year after a change in school he has made massive leaps forward. He is attempting more, starting reading (fantastically very well considering he's only been at it year and half) and is beginning to be happy to answer questions about what he finds difficult.

Recently DS has taken to "listening" to films and tv with the subtitles on or through headphones. He says he finds it easier, and subtitles are easier than headphones. Is this a normal development thing or could it be related to the audioprocessing?

It got me wondering if he would benefit from loop systems and whether there was a simple receiver we could try out.

Anyone any experience with all this?

[Elisabennet]

Not necessarily will answer your question but my DS always asks for subtitles on DVD? He reads better than he speaks so it also helps him develop language.

[blankgaze]

My dd says she can't concentrate properly on any TV without subtitles. She's really thrown if there are none and anyone speaks over the TV.

Evidence of this may help towards getting your ds a reader for his exams at school (so he can see and hear a question simultaneously) we had a SALT assessment for it.

[Mollyweasley]

I think it is a coping strategy, I have pretty bad auditive processing issues and subtitles are a godsend, I always have them on. Also you could try and tell him to look at people's lips when they talk (lip-reading- sorts of acts as subtitles and is a great way of faking eye-contact! )

[ouryve]

It's almost definitely audio processing. DS1 uses the subtitles and I definitely can't "hear" the telly without them. I often give up on things with live subtitles.

[uggerthebugger]

There's an entire Tumblr site somewhere dedicated to live subtitle fails. I'll try to dig it out...

Here's a website with a range of assistive listening devices - some ridiculously expensive, some not.

www.connevans.co.uk/catalogue/126/Help-with-audio-and-television

[Toffeelatteplease]

Thank you for the replies. It has become fairly consistent. No doubt it is helping him develop his language and reading, he read some words at school that made his one-to-one take note that I recognise from a fav tv show. pretty sure that was the subtitles.

Yes ouryvre and molly it looks exactly like that is what is happening.

He's still very little (just 8), but bear that in mind about a reader in the future. I think we will probably be word processing as well because it is unlikely his writing skill are going to keep up with his mental capacity

That you for the link I am going to take a look

[Toffeelatteplease]

I am looking at the site and am a bit confused. Does anyone know if there is a way to receive sound from a t-loop system without the hearing aid? the website seems to suggest there is but I can't see it

[neverputasockinatoaster]

A massive light bulb has just gone off in my head! Thank you OP!

DS is 10, has an asd and always wants the subtitles on when watching dvds...

BUT he has brilliant hearing - can hear the rustling of a quavers packet from 5 rooms away!

It's a processing thing! Why did I not think of that!

[Toffeelatteplease]

I had a very gifted speechy and occupational therapist point it out to me as part of a rather lengthy statement process.

[Toffeelatteplease]

Glad my op has helped

[TeenAndTween]

My DD1 age 16 who has processing speed issues has recently informed me that she understands some films much better with the subtitles as it helps her process the speech faster so she can follow the plot better.

[uggerthebugger]

Try this one www.connevans.co.uk/product/4539950/93SON1/Sonumaxx-with-Headset---Neckloop - you can use it without hearing aids, and without having to get someone to install an expensive loop system in your living room.

[signandsingcarols]

toffee, a loop system is basically a way of taking in noise through a microphone, or a direct link turning it into an electrical signal, and sending it round a loop of very thin wire, the loop can be pretty much any size so just enough to go round you, or large enough for an auditorium, the signal kind of leaks from the loop of wire like one of those hose pipes with little holes all over it to water the garden slowly, and if you are within (or next to) the loop of wire then hearing aids (usually when switched to T position) pick up the electrical signal and turn it back into sound... (apologies to any engineers out there, I know it was a bit of a fudged explanation) if you don't wear a hearing aid you can use something called a loop listener to do what the hearing aid would, (it's how those of us without hearing impairments check if the loop system is working),

also have a look at a variety of producers/retailers; connevans but also RNID (as was) sorry have just had a senior moment and forgotten the name of their equipment 'branch'