To switch off subtitles

[Sloelydoesit]

Watching a movie with my son. English language. We are native English speakers.
He had switched the subtitles on and claimed he couldn't watch it without them. Apparently this is 'a thing' and he thinks that everyone mumbles.
I have switched them off.
Anyone else here who has children in the same situation who watches TV with subtitles on?

Watch with subtitles, the sound mixing on most modern things is terrible now, you have massive quiet parts where you turn the volume up to hear it, then the sound changes and the music or dialogue is blasting your ears off.

I prefer to watch with subtitles as find it hard to follow without, though I not live programs where it's out of sync. It's funny where shows have been dubbed English as the subtitles often don't quite match what's being said. I've ADHD so think theres probably auditory processing issue as I'd done online hearing test pre-diagnosis and I can hear too well sometimes especially annoying noises electrical items make.

I saw a video which suggested altering the sound settings in Netflix etc can help as it's assumed you've a soundbar so the vocal parts then are too low and the music or background become too loud. So was going to give that a try as it's definitely harder with films.

This is how feel 😂
It's made me aware of how crap those with hearing disabilities have it because there is still a lot without option for subtitles especially on Prime or where subtitles are poor quality so would make it impossible to follow.

Me too. American programmes and films are especially difficult - the Good Doctor is impossible without subtitles, especially when they're wearing masks.

I like subtitles.

I feel I can't listen properly without them and just subconsciously read them.

Plus, extra reading is never a bad thing!

I can't watch TV without subtitles, I just can't hear anything properly.

I often use them - really useful to know whether the sotto voce speech is meant to be actually heard or is "inaudible comnent".

Sub-titles also offer extra info, like the names of pieces of music, lyrics and bands.

I always have subtitles on!

I have to use subtitles whilst watching anything really I just really struggle to understand otherwise

i sometimes wish real life come with subtitles as well

We Watch everything with subtitles

Ds has always watched with subtitles. He had very bad glue ear when he was small. It did more than just help him when watching, it actually taught him a lot of reading, so it was very good for him.

I always have subtitles on too. Actors mumble and the music is always too loud.

Yes and all us foreigners grew up having subtitles there from baby years. Incredibly useful way to pick up languages.

Certainly not for my husband. It's just the way he processes it. Just like most people's brains filter out the sensation of labels in clothing, but his doesn't.

He describes it as a bit like watching TV when the sound is misaligned from the picture. He can't just tune it out. It's not because he can't read , it's that the subtitles are never a good enough match to the picture and his brain can't cope with the mismatch.

I always think people who are distracted by subtitles are maybe people who have struggled with reading. An average adult can take a sentence in at a glance, rather than actually reading each individual word to the extent of being distracted

I agree.

I use hearing aids and cannot hear either the radio or TV/device streamed stuff at all. So subtitles are great for me.

I do have bluetooth hearing aids which allows me to hear the TV etc. but the mumbling and background music/noise on most things now means that I just don't bother.

They are great however for solo listening to music/podcasts/radio via my phone i.e. when walking or if in the house alone.

Sometimes Youtube disables subtitles which is a pain in the butt for me.

Definitely get him a hearing test. Glue ear (grommets) is really common in children and very treatable.
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/procedures-and-treatments/treatment-glue-ear-grommets/

I have them on when my DF is visiting as he has bad hearing. I find them irritating too. I'm surprised to hear so many people with normal hearing like them.

Disagree, my dh is dyslexic likes subtitles. I never struggled with reading , always had reading age years ahead of my own , but find subtitles distracting. I have got used to them as dh had some hearing damage now and prefers to have subtitles on.

When i go to opera with rolling subtitles I find im distracted by them, even when sung in english and look at them instead of stage.

I've never had issues with reading. It's just that subtitles are uneccesary if you have good hearing (I literally just heard what was said) and they cover up some of the picture which means I miss bits of the scenery/images the director wanted me to see. That's what I find irritating, they have covered up bits of the picture and for particularly beautiful scenic imagery that's annoying.

Hi everyone

Told my son about this thread and just gone through it together! We have laughed so much!!!
He's triumphed by all the support from the subtitle fans! You have made his day so thank you!
He did laugh at all the drama around it. I explained to him that it's pair for the course on this forum!
As for me - my nickname for the evening is 'ableist dick' - that made my 11 year old laugh. And the comment of not being mother of the year. 😂

Obviously I am not an ableist dick. I'm also probably not mother of the year either!!

Thanks again everyone. Next time we might flip a coin for subtitles

😀

I started using subtitles when I first watched “24” and then I became properly dependent when watching The Wire.
Now we watch everything with subtitles except live tv (news, sports etc)

I often put subtitles on. Overly loud music, shouting interspersed with whispering and mumbling... subtitles make these things much less intrusive.

God yes - I wouldn't have known what was going on in The Wire without subtitles. Winter's Bone too.