A new technology installed at the Sudbury Theatre Centre is helping those with hearing problems enjoy the show.
It's an assisted listening system called a hearing loop and thanks to a generous donation from the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, the theatre is now the first in the province to have the technology.
This is the sign that means a world of difference for people with hearing loss:
Turning up the tech to help people who need a hearing aid or cochlear implant better enjoy live theatre and music.
"This is our gift to the community." said Kim Scott, of Canadian Hard of Hearing Association.
The CHHA has spent $25,000 on a special type of sound system called a hearing loop, sometimes called an audio induction loop, at the Sudbury Theatre Centre in an effort to make its productions more accessible.
“We are unable to be included, we're unable to follow along with any performance, and it makes for a long, boring evening." said Scott.
Here's how it works:
“There's a wire that goes through the floor, all along the seats, and it goes up there into their sound system, and this is hooked up into their sound system." said Serge Trottier, of Daylight Technologies.
Trottier installed the technology and says every hearing aid has a telecoil, or T-coil.
That T-coil picks up sound waves sent through something called an induction loop, allowing the person using the hearing aid to hear the performance clearly.
"Within the first five minutes, when the music started, I couldn't hold my tears back. It’s just so…I can get teary eyed right now.” said Scott.
Several people that tried the new system told CTV News:
"I just can't get over how clear it is and how easy it is to understand."
"The words are very clear compared to what you're trying to hear when you don't have hearing aids."
"We should have had it here in the city a lot sooner I suppose."
The Sudbury Theatre Centre is now the first and only theatre in Ontario to have a hearing loop.
“We're hoping that people that have struggled before with hearing our actors will now come back." said John McHenry, of STC.
"If you loop it, we will come." said Scott.
She says she's received inquiries from other businesses in Sudbury, interested in the technology and now the organization has a team in the city able to install the hearing loops.
