"Anyone who takes the time to attentively listen is either an old soul or a romantic one."Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons
I find stage performance by true actors to be much easier to understand than the cinema or tv.
Television in particular and cinema, even though it is so loud, has a lot of mumbling and incoherent phrases these days with distracting background mood music.
So off I went happily to our local theatre to hear a 'life reflective monologue' in a small studio. I was in the second row and had asked in advance if the hearing loop was switched on. The acting style was not the usual stand-up audience facing kind so some extra help seemed a good idea.
The loop was so weak the sound kept disappearing. It was better to just listen to the amplifier. Although voice into microphone, then out of speaker into another microphone (my processor) and then into my head is never the same as the real direct thing. I heard and understood a lot from about twenty feet. Enough to be satisfied as a deaf person.
Then something strange happened!
Towards the end the actor's voice became much clearer, I could hear every word he said even though the performance was casual, inebriated and slurred (for effect) by that time.
After the applause had died down my wife turned to me and asked if I had noticed the microphone he was using had failed and the speakers had gone silent leaving only the actor's voice in the room.
The curtained walls and soft seats produced excellent acoustics and whilst those at the back may have struggled to hear, I was enjoying the technical failure unaware. What a pity it hadn't happened earlier.
On leaving the theatre apologies were offered for the breakdown.
I assured them I had enjoyed it so much more for it.
We had a good laugh, I think he was glad to have at least one happy customer.
If only all restaurants, public buildings and meeting places could be so plush and comfortable for us.
With the speakers turned off!
Perhaps my most memorable occasion was a celebration afternoon tea at a local and popular venue.
In those days I had no ability to use the telephone and asking my wife to do it would ruin the surprise, so I booked online. I mentioned on my booking form I was profoundly deaf and would like, if possible, a quiet corner table to make conversation easier.
On arrival at this very plush and rather special place my wife and I were ushered into a side room. All to ourselves and it was carpeted, had heavy curtains and sumptuous cushioned furniture. The acoustics were incredible with none of the usual echo or harsh sounds reflected off the walls and hard surfaces. I felt quite honoured to be treated in such a special way. All because I had asked, a speculative whim perhaps, but a lesson just the same.
"If you don't ask you don't get."
Though unfortunately that often applies when you do as well!
I have, on some rare occasions, managed to get background 'muzak' turned off (as the only customer in the place!) but just getting it turned down often needs the equivalent effort of an Act of Parliament.
