[TNLAKEPANDA]

Usually it is so loud I have to put cotton balls in my ears.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by akjakes

He does have hearing aids that he wears all the time, but at the movies he hears better with the headphones. Otherwise he misses some of what is said and has to ask me.

I do find that irritating when some other movie viewers have running conversations about the movie. Unfortunately, once in a while I will go to the movies with someone who likes to make comments during it, so I have been to blame for this too.

If you keep this thread going maybe the Barnstorm Theater will do something. They do have a Facebook page too which you could use to highlight the problem but on Facebook you use your real name and have to own whatever you post. Plus, it seems to stay up there in previous edits if you do have a change of heart. https://www.facebook.com/BarnstormTheater

[WhoDat]

Does anyone know who owns the movie theaters in TV? Unusually theaters are owned by large companies such as AMC. These companies are careful to make sure they comply with all laws. I think the local management is giving the OP the run around.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by WhoDat

Does anyone know who owns the movie theaters in TV? Unusually theaters are owned by large companies such as AMC. These companies are careful to make sure they comply with all laws. I think the local management is giving the OP the run around.

It looks like the Villages Operating Company but they may contract out certain things like the audio system. There does seem to be a lot of subcontracting in the Villages by the Villages Operating Company.

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

Yes, writing a letter to the editor of the online newspaper would be a great place to start.

no, the right place to start would be to write or tell them in person that they are in violation of the ADA and you intend to seek legal recourse unless they comply immediately.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by wereback

why not get a hearing aid? Than you could hear at home too .

That's a rather glib answer. I can hear perfectly well--till I get into a movie theater, so I can imagine the problem. The movie audios are not always as clear and concise as, say, your television at home. There's a lot of whispering on screen and other subtleties that just make it harder to hear.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by looneycat

no, the right place to start would be to write or tell them in person that they are in violation of the ADA and you intend to seek legal recourse unless they comply immediately.

If you want to involve lawyers, that is the best way. To do things in writing. The public relations angle especially with many people in this community who do have problems hearing may be an easier route. I usually find dealing with lawyers expensive and stressful. And they will have their lawyers as well who will be very reluctant to find any fault coming from their clients the Barnstorm Management and the Villages Operating Company. I have also found that lawyers may not want to take a case unless they see that there is money to be made from it. Maybe things have changed though from when I was looking for a lawyer in 2002 here in Florida.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by CFrance

That's a rather glib answer. I can hear perfectly well--till I get into a movie theater, so I can imagine the problem. The movie audios are not always as clear and concise as, say, your television at home. There's a lot of whispering on screen and other subtleties that just make it harder to hear.

I had a hearing loss for many years and I was the last to know and amazed how things improved when I got hearing aids.


This thread may be not only a catalyst to fix the problem at Brownwood but to encourage many to seek hearing loss correction. If you find it hard to hear, you have lots of company in The Villages.


I do want to point out that the whispering is cranked to the same decibel level as regular speech in a movie. It is certain tone ranges that hearing impaired people can't hear. For me it is deep voices. My family says that the movies are VERY loud. They are just right for me with my "hearers".


Hearing aids are very expensive and there is NO reason that they should be. I would like to start a campaign to change THAT so everyone could easily afford to get them. Their high cost is similar to the frames being ten times more expensive than sun glasses when you have your glasses prescription filled.


For those who have NOT yet purchased hearing aids, They are usually out of pocket, around two grand EACH.


They are more precious than jewels....and about the same cost too.


Some day they won't be.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by TNLAKEPANDA

Usually it is so loud I have to put cotton balls in my ears.

Yep me too, I have 32 db ear plugs and I only have one ear, plus I don't want to loose the hearing in that ear. I would think with hearing aides in theaters it would blow ear drums out making hearing worst? My ear (where there is no ear) rings so loud after the movies I can hardly hear normal conversation.

[outlaw]

My neck hurts when I go to the movies and sit there for 2 hours. Can I require the theater to provide me a masseuse under the ADA?

[fredpotts]

Stop in there yesterday to see if it was working and they are still waiting for a power plug and that was the answer they gave me a month ago. Do they know what 2 day priority mail is? The power plug is not that big it attaches to a small box that runs the headset. Is the person hand walking the power plug to them? If they are walking from LA I guess we won't see it until after the first of the year. Which give me the thought that they are very bad in math - mailing it would cost less than $15 to mail but hand carrying it would cost them hundreds of $$$$ - food, hotels and shoe replacements LOL

It is now almost three months that their system has not been working. I told them they need to use the same system that OLD MILL and RIALTO (Spanish Springs) uses.

Not only does Old Mill and Rialto headset help hear the movie better but you can control the audio level in either ear.

The previews I can hear very well but when the movie comes on that is when they drop the audio. YES I know it really sucks having bad hearing.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by fredpotts

Stop in there yesterday to see if it was working and they are still waiting for a power plug and that was the answer they gave me a month ago. Do they know what 2 day priority mail is? The power plug is not that big it attaches to a small box that runs the headset. Is the person hand walking the power plug to them? If they are walking from LA I guess we won't see it until after the first of the year. Which give me the thought that they are very bad in math - mailing it would cost less than $15 to mail but hand carrying it would cost them hundreds of $$$$ - food, hotels and shoe replacements LOL

It is now almost three months that their system has not been working. I told them they need to use the same system that OLD MILL and RIALTO (Spanish Springs) uses.

Not only does Old Mill and Rialto headset help hear the movie better but you can control the audio level in either ear.

The previews I can hear very well but when the movie comes on that is when they drop the audio. YES I know it really sucks having bad hearing.

Sorry to hear that they are dragging their feet.

[teachnmo]

I wish they would designate in the theaters ads which movies have the hearing disabled items available . I always have to call them to see if it is appropriate for my two friends who have to use the little box that lets them read the words.

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

If you want to involve lawyers, that is the best way. To do things in writing. The public relations angle especially with many people in this community who do have problems hearing may be an easier route. I usually find dealing with lawyers expensive and stressful. And they will have their lawyers as well who will be very reluctant to find any fault coming from their clients the Barnstorm Management and the Villages Operating Company. I have also found that lawyers may not want to take a case unless they see that there is money to be made from it. Maybe things have changed though from when I was looking for a lawyer in 2002 here in Florida.

in this case you don't need to hire your own lawyer, the government has plenty as the theater is and has been in violation of a federal law that requires that they comply in order to operate. it would behoove them to minimally advertise the fact that they don't have the equipment available so people who need it can plan to go elsewhere. there is no excuse.

here is a link on how to file a complaint: How to File an ADA Complaint with the Department of Justice

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Hearing aids are very expensive and there is NO reason that they should be. I would like to start a campaign to change THAT so everyone could easily afford to get them. Their high cost is similar to the frames being ten times more expensive than sun glasses when you have your glasses prescription filled.

For those who have NOT yet purchased hearing aids, They are usually out of pocket, around two grand EACH.

I don't understand the cost either. After all, you can listen to the 2 AM infomercial and get "sonic hearing" for $20, and a second one free for "separate shipping and handling". Yes, it is the difference between a Cadillac and a Volkswagen, but in the end they're still just $50 in circuits and transistors