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Original poster

Does anyone else use subtitles all the time?

177 replies

JellyTots2009 · 03/10/2021 17:18

So since I was a teen I use subtitles when watching tv constantly.
I was watching a dvd at my dads when I was a teen and he said ' why have you got subtitles on?' And it only clicked then that it's not the norm.

I know that it is usually for people hard of hearing but I just feel content knowing I can read what they are saying. If someone has a strong accent I always know I can read what they are saying.

People even say how can you read and watch? Well I take a second to glance at the words then take it in and it's easy to follow the story still.

I've not stopped since my teens and my partner is used to it now.

Does anyone else rely on subtitles?

OP posts:
Timeandtune · 03/10/2021 18:57

Yes-I do . I actually went to get my hearing tested pre COVID because I was struggling to understand the mumbling voices on telly with accompanying background music. My hearing was fine so I now use the subtitles for everything.

TheHouseILiveIn · 03/10/2021 18:57

I don't have hearing problems but always watch TV with subtitles on. It annoys me when there aren't subtitles available.

TheHouseILiveIn · 03/10/2021 18:58

@Timeandtune

Yes-I do . I actually went to get my hearing tested pre COVID because I was struggling to understand the mumbling voices on telly with accompanying background music. My hearing was fine so I now use the subtitles for everything.
Yeah, so much mumbling on TV these days
HummingBeeBox · 03/10/2021 18:59

Yep all the time so I can carry on watching something when the family inevitably make loads of noise.

twointhemorning · 03/10/2021 18:59

Yes, I'm deaf (wear hearing aids) and tend to only watch tv programmes with subtitles. I'm really frustrated that there are no subtitles on Channel 4 shows for the last week. I understand it's due to a fire at Red Bee Media which has affected their subtitling and audio description services which they provide for Channel 4 and other broadcasters. But it's only Channel 4 that has a complete absence of subtitles.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 03/10/2021 18:59

I used them 90% of the time. I'm a tiny bit hard of hearing, and would rather subtitle than have the volume extra loud and irritate people in the other room.

JuneOsborne · 03/10/2021 18:59

No way, my youngest Ds does this. I thought it was well weird. Turns out it's not! He's only 8, but he's hooked on those subtitles!

MrsRobbieHart · 03/10/2021 19:04

Yes for the last several years I have. I think sound quality on a lot of programmes is quite poor tbh and the subtitles are necessary on a lot of things.

Etonmessisyum · 03/10/2021 19:05

I put them on if There is music on whilst people speak, I can’t hear at all. And sometimes if I’m tired I put them on, then just don’t put them off again.

ItsSnowJokes · 03/10/2021 19:09

I have partial hearing and use them all the time otherwise I have the TV on a bit louder than I would like! I also struggle if there is background noise or music etc.....

Bizarrely I hate the TV or cinema being really loud it hurts my ears so much which a lot of people with normal hearing don't seem to understand but I end up with ear ache that lasts a good 6-12 hours.

Tana433 · 03/10/2021 19:17

I do because if there is any background noise i cant concentrate on what is being said. However i have noticed that it hasnt done my hearing any good at all and i now totally rely on them and really struggle if i watch something that doesnt have them.

Heartsinflowers · 03/10/2021 19:20

Always on Netflix as I find the sound quite muffled

CrotchetyQuaver · 03/10/2021 19:21

We've used them for nearly a year since the puppy arrived and him and the older dog have an annoying habit of starting squeaking toys loudly at the interesting bits in the telly. It's normal for us and probably will be for a while yet

Hackedofffff · 03/10/2021 19:23

Yes, all the time. My hearing isn't so good when there's lots of loud noise. DH used to get annoyed by subtitles but now also likes them.

Deathraystare · 03/10/2021 19:37

Yes! All the time!

So much bloody mumbling goes on that I have to. I do it on the tv (though sadly not everything has subtitles).

Deathraystare · 03/10/2021 19:37

Oh by the way, there is nothing wrong with my hearing!!!

Neonplant · 03/10/2021 19:52

Yep all the time and if there are none it really puts me off. I do have the volume on the lower side and hate it when it gets really loud at points in TV or film. So the subtitles mean I can keep the volume on the lower side and not miss stuff.

It's no problem to read and watch it also means I'm really used to it when it comes to foreign films. My partner prefers this too.

thebestnamesweregone · 03/10/2021 19:53

Yes
My son has a knack for jabbering on for ages I listen to him and glance at the subtitles I speed read he barely notices

BruceAndNosh · 03/10/2021 19:59

Thank goodness!
Another subtitle fan here.

But I like GOOD subtitles.
Sometimes you get rubbish ones where they are out of sync with the spoken word. I like it when characters have their own colour too.

But I agree about having too much detail- I watched some series recently where they included stuff like Bloke in background ordering "two lattes and a tea" which is distracting from what the main characters are talking about

The series Outlander on Amazon subtitles what the music is like ..."romantic" "suspensful" . There's a lot of Gaelic spoken which is never translated as the central character doesn't understand the language. The subtitles say "speaks other language" !

BlankTimes · 03/10/2021 20:02

Another vote for yes all the time.
DD has auditory processing issues and without subtitles finds it too difficult to concentrate and pick up the relevant parts of the plot.

FlatStanletta · 03/10/2021 20:08

Yes! I do! If the kids are awake someone will be talking / making loads of noise through the programme and if they are asleep I don’t want to wake them up so the TV is on low volume.

I also find as pp have commented that the action / music etc is often really loud and dialogue is hard to hear although I don’t have any hearing issues. The subtitles really help!

KarmaViolet · 03/10/2021 20:10

Always. Auditory processing problems mean I can't distinguish dialogue from background noise.

TheVolturi · 03/10/2021 20:17

I love subtitles for the same reason as you op.

CoasterCoaster · 03/10/2021 20:19

Yes, think I have a bit of a sensory processing problem as I really struggle to follow dialogue without them. I'm finding the current technical issues at Channel 4 (which mean there are no subtitles on anything) really annoying, hope they get it sorted soon.

shrugshrug · 03/10/2021 20:34

I have some hearing loss and find many actors mumble so I put them on - I usually record programmes and then watch them. I don't bother using subtitles when I'm watching a live show - then they are distracting.,
I was watching Unforgotten recently ( we got it later than the UK ) and there was no subtitles so found it hard to follow.