People with hearing loss often doesn’t enjoy music in the same way as those who can hear clearly. Whether you are deaf, hard of hearing, or simply don’t hear as well as you used to, music is something you can’t connect with in the same way as others. Some sounds are simply missing, and even the sounds you do hear don’t sound like the rich, full sound you remember. For anyone who wants to enjoy live music, we think that entertainers can do more for people with hearing loss.
Sign Language Interpretation
An amazing service that has recently become popular is sign language interpretation at live music concerts. Performers like Ed Sheeran, Adele, and Sam Smith have been working with sign language interpreters to make their concerts accessible for everyone. One interpreter, Marie Pascall, says that interpreting for a concert is far more than just translating the words. She thinks about how the song makes her feel and what kind of energy the song has. She then creates an interpretation that will paint a picture of the emotions in the music, not just the words of the song. She says this allows people in the deaf community to experience the magic of music, and enjoy live music along with their hearing peers.
What Venues Use Interpreters?
Sign language interpretation aims to make the arts more accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Interpretation makes it possible to enjoy theatre performances, music, and other events. Many large venues are starting to employ sign language interprets to perform along with musicians, but smaller venues are lagging far behind. When it comes to services offered by venues to make them more accessible to everyone, there’s a lot of room for improvement, and more interpreters need to be hired. If a show is set to run ten times, for example, only one show will have an interpreter, so someone with hearing loss doesn’t have a lot of choice when it comes to accessing live entertainment.
Why Aren’t There More Interpreters?
There is a huge need for more professional interpreters, and unfortunately there are very few interpreters who are trained to perform with musicians and entertainers. Part of the problem is the huge number of hours needed to prepare for a single show, and the low wages that accompany the job. People who could become interpreters often choose another path that will pay better wages or provide better opportunities.
Doing More for People with Hearing Loss
Organizations that work with the deaf and hard of hearing community want to recruit more interpreters to work in all aspects of life, not just in the entertainment industry. Imagine going to your parent teacher meeting with an interpreter, or having someone accompany you to your doctor’s appointment. Many activities we take for granted are inaccessible or very stressful for those in the deaf community, and recruiting and training more professional translators and interpreters would go a long way to making our cities truly accessible.
Treating Hearing Loss
Have you stopped going out for dinner with friends, dreaded doctors’ appointments, or turned down tickets to an amazing concert? If you’re living with untreated hearing loss you’re missing out on some of the best parts of life. Don’t let hearing loss hold you back, but treat your hearing loss with a pair of quality hearing aids.
For music lovers with hearing loss, new hearing technology is revolutionizing the way you enjoy music. When listening at home, you’ll never have to strain to hear soft sections, or hurt your ears when a loud chorus starts. Those with hearing loss often complain that certain sounds are completely missing, and music sounds thin or strange. With hearing aids you’ll be able to hear all those overtones and undertones which give music it’s full, rich sound, and will be able to enjoy music without damaging your ears.
My Hearing Centers
At My Hearing Centers, we know what hearing aids work best for music lovers. With advanced programs and settings designed especially for music enjoyment, we will help you find the device that will have you saying yes to every concert, and keep you dancing around your living room with a great soundtrack. Visit us today to find out what a hearing aid can do for you.