To want the subtitles on TV?

[TourangaLeila]

Husband just told me to turn them off because it spoils the programme.

I say it's better as we don't need to have the TV waaayyy up to be able to understand what happening.

Everyone mumbles on TV programmes these days.

Who is BU?

She says she struggles to hear what’s going on without having it turned up loud. So do we - because we have a crap old TV. Now I have hyperacusis (sp?) but DH’s and DD’s hearing is fine. So just because she struggles to hear doesn’t mean she actually has hearing issues - so something like a soundbar or new TV could sort this out.

Because subtitles are a pain and personally I’d try other solutions first if at all possible.

Because subtitles are a pain and personally I’d try other solutions first if at all possible.

In YOUR opinion. For many, they're a lifeline. And for others, they use them because it helps with concentration. Studies bear this out.

So much ableism and surdophobia on one small thread...

Just because YOU find subtitles a pain, doesn't mean everyone does. Just because YOU would explore other options, doesn't mean that everyone has to do what you'd do.

The OP doesn't find the subtitles a pain, and she needs them. Just like millions of other people use and need them.

It’s not ableism to suggest someone might need hearing aids or better sound system

It's ableist to suggest that someone might need hearing aids or a better sound system and should get that 'sorted' and thereafter stop using subtitles because they're a "pain".

It shows total ignorance of how hearing loss works and disrespect for people's choices. Do you think it would be acceptable to tell a person who uses BSL interpretation to follow the news that they should go and get hearing aids/cochlear implant and switch to a channel without BSL interpretation because it's a "pain" or a distraction? What about a partially sighted person who uses audio description to access tv programmes - is that a "pain" too and they just need to go and get better prescription glasses or surgery?

It's not remotely a bad idea to rule out hearing loss. Not least because untreated hearing loss is positively correlated to both depression and dementia. But even with hearing aids, many people STILL need to use subtitles. Others actually take their hearing aids out when they come home to give themselves a break and use subtitles as their preferred assistive device in the house. Then of course you get groups of people who use subtitles for other reasons than hearing loss - because they are neurodiverse, have auditory processing disorders, PTSD, and it helps with concentration.

Deaf and disabled people should not be locked into ONE form of assistive technology because ignorant, audist hearing or non-disabled people think subtitles are annoying, a pain, etc, etc.

My Son is Deaf and even though he left home many years ago we still have the subtitles on. We just much prefer them on.

@Butchyrestingface but why would you not go and get your hearing checked and aids in place if necessary?

Don't know, because he had his back to me at the time and was mumbling.

Trouble is that when you're in the cinema, hearing aids also pick up every single sodding crisp crunched and packet rustled and ice cubes rattled and people carrying on conversations during the feature whilst somebody three rows back is making the seat squeak by getting up to go to the toilet/snack concession again. And the staff radios in the corridor outside. Whilst the HA is also making its own electrical sound, constantly switching directionality due to the fidgety fuckers' noises and you're regretting banging out so much money just to be irritated in public instead.

So you still can't make out what's going on in the darkened scene with people who are talking off camera, turning away or wearing something over their faces whilst the music or sound effects are blasting away. Because it's not just a simple increase volume = everything's fine.

BTW, I've just realised that DP has sought out the subtitles setting for his new kit and switched them on by default and must be deliberately downloading the tracks on other stuff - purely for my benefit.

Which part of me explicitly stating

"It's not remotely a bad idea to rule out hearing loss. Not least because untreated hearing loss is positively correlated to both depression and dementia"

makes you think I DON'T think a person who suspects hearing loss should go and get their hearing checked?

I always put subtitles on when possible. I don't think I have a hearing problem, it's just some actors do mumble, or background music is too loud. Then if the neighbours are being noisy or I have the washing machine on I can't hear.
Plus if I'm on my iPad or phone I'm not fully paying attention so subtitles help.
(Not to mention if they get them wrong it can be really funny!)😁

Disabilities can cut both ways. Autism can make subtitles useful or unbearable. Not everyone can just "put up or shut up" with them. All fun and games when you get both sides in the same family! Hopefully it is not that complicated for OP though and they can find a compromise.

Hearing aids are not that easy to wear though. I was fitted with numerous ones as a child. They were uncomfortable and merely amplified sound. Didn't help at all with distinguishing speech from background noise

Agree. My dd 21 cannot get with her hearing aid. It hurts.

This thread is interesting. I can't "not look" at subtitles. If they are there, I will read them.

And, unlike what an earlier poster suggested, I don't like subtitles, not because I'm a bad reader, but because I'm a good reader. I read very quickly.

So if a show or a film has subtitles, it's irritating because I get the same information twice. I read the line, then the actor says the line.

I have inadvertently been to cinema showings with subtitles and theatre shows with surtitles. In both cases, I have to find a sitting position where I can hold my hands in front of my face to cover the words.

The modern styles and tech are exceptional at distinguishing speech from noise. Not cheap, at all, but a game-changer if you can afford them.

Do you have hearing difficulties OP? It’s not my experience that everyone mumbles and unless you have hearing problems you shouldn’t need to have the TV way up.
It might be time to get your hearing checked.
I don’t mind subtitles myself but given the choice I’d rather just listen as like others have said I find being able to read what they are saying a bit off putting and distracting from the experience.
Im sort of with your OP on this one but you need a hearing test.

I watch the telly because I can't be bothered to read 😂 I hate the subtitles being on!

I have been watching TV with subtitles for years.
I don't watch programmes or films without then.
The only exceptions quiz shows because the answer sometimes comes up before the question has been read and live TV because they are too far behind.
My husband finds it funny when the subtitles don't match what has been said.

For those of you complaining about TV mumblers, get some speakers for your TV.

TV speakers have gotten exponentially shitter as TVs have got thinner, at the same time as TV shows are being missed for surround sound.

We got a decent sound bar a few years ago and it's a game changer. Having the speech come out of a separate center speaker means that people have gone from mumbling to speaking clearly again!

I couldn’t sit and watch with subtitles! I’m with him.

In addition to the existing Bose system (recycled from the PA system at the Farnborough Air Show some time ago)?

It doesn't matter if it's at an SpL of 59 or 115dB, if it's a muddy mix due to mumbling, background noise not being in the background and music, it's still not going to be any clearer - and short of twatting around with phase inversion or trying to get something to digitally strip out the individual stems, which is frankly a bit overdramatic for some shite procedural drama, there is nothing that can be done about it.

I recognised some of those words!

Obviously people's mileage may vary, but for me, having a proper center channel for the dialogue to come out of has made a world of difference. I was previously using a set of stereo speakers, which was better than the TV speaker obviously, but I was still struggling with dialogue.

Which I can't. And managed for 45 years now. With exception of people masked up which means I can't lipread

I can't watch tv with subtitles. It's too distracting. I can't actually see what is happening as I'm so busy reading

YANBU. I hate not having the subtitles on. I feel like I miss half the conversation otherwise!