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Technology is Increasing Accessibility for the Hearing Loss Community at Broadway Shows

Broadway has been increasing its efforts to provide a more accessible viewing experience for audience members with disabilities, including those who are deaf and hard of hearing (HoH). 

Many theatergoers living with hearing loss have often struggled with the lack of accessible features. Even for productions that accommodate sign language interpreters, deaf shadow actors that act alongside hearing ones, and projection of text on screens, the other elements of the show make it difficult to stay focused and immersed, affecting the experience. Fortunately, technological advancements have created more ways to provide deaf and HoH audiences with tools that can help them follow along with the show, whether they’re integrated into the actual productions or new and innovative products that audience members with hearing loss can leverage. 

Here’s how technology can increase accessibility for the hearing loss community at Broadway shows:

Open-captioning

Captions aren’t always available at Broadway shows, which can be challenging for deaf and HoH viewers and limit their options for theaters and shows. However, new productions are aiming to make them a norm through technology. The Romeo + Juliet production, starring Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler, is the first of its kind to include open-captioning at every performance. The captions are displayed on a permanent screen above the stage, ensuring audience members in view of it can enjoy a seamless viewing experience. 

When purchasing tickets, people have the option to choose open-caption seating. The show’s director, Sam Gold, also struggles with hearing loss, which is why he wanted to make captioning an integral part of the production. Deaf and HoH audiences have often felt alienated by Broadway experiences due to the lack of accessible features, but the inclusion of open-captioning can help enhance the experience. Open-captioning can also benefit those who don’t have hearing loss, as being able to refer to the text can help a broad range of audiences capture every detail. 

Hearing aid glasses

Those with mild to moderate hearing loss may not see the need for assistive devices. They may feel self-conscious or uncomfortable about using or wearing the technology, preventing them from fully enjoying the show. Hearing aid glasses offer a viable solution for those with hearing loss. The Nuance Audio glasses are designed to look and work like regular prescription glasses but have hearing technology built into them for a cutting-edge experience. 

They use beamforming technology to amplify the sound in the direction the wearer is facing while reducing ambient background sounds. This can enhance hearing when looking at the stage and the performers, allowing viewers to tune in and immerse themselves without struggling to hear. The hearing glasses’ settings can also be adjusted to suit the wearer’s preferences for more comfort during the show. An additional perk is that they won’t require wearers to look at a screen, making for uninterrupted viewing. 

Mobile apps

Mobile apps have increased accessibility for the hearing loss community, including for Broadway shows. Apps like GalaPro (Gala Prompter) have been integrated into shows at Broadway Grand Rapids, enhancing accessible options for disabled audience members, including deaf and HoH individuals. It provides real-time closed-captioning for spoken and sung dialogue, allowing those with hearing disabilities to follow along. 

Aside from captions, the app also offers multi-lingual translations, which can increase accessibility for audience members who don’t speak English and who may also have hearing loss. Audio descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual aspects of the show also aid audience members with vision loss. Apps are an easy way to increase accessibility since they can be downloaded directly onto smartphones without requiring other equipment.