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- Assistive Listening Device information & websites >
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- Mortimer Bauer Scholarship Information >
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- HLAA 2019 Convention reports!
- Closed Captions at the Movies
- Volumetrics - Hearing Pollution
- WCU Speech & Hearing Clinic
- Hearing loop
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- Tax Breaks from Uncle Sam
- Hearing Loss Southeastern PA
- dB Exposure Limits Chart NIOSH
- Theaters with Assisted Listening
- Help4Hearing / Hearing Aid Project
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Photo Gallery
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This page is in the process of being updated. Please check with the theater before you purchase tickets to find out their latest options for assistive listening. Each listing has "See More Details" which is a live link to that theater.
In all cases the technology involved is complicated and some unexpected problems may impact your experience. The information I have included from each theaters website may not be an accurate description of how their systems function. The only way to truly know is to go and experience the shows. Please let us know about your experiences.
Per our HLAA technical advisor: "How voices are picked up is a crucial factor, and anything other than individual microphones on each actor is problematic. Simply hanging a mike over the stage somewhere can be worse than nothing at all. With proper miking, FM, IR, and loop systems are all capable of good results."
Assisted Listening Theaters
Academy of Music
(Complete Information listed under Kimmel Center)
240 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA • (215) 893-1999
See More Details
Devices are available with in-ear headphones.
The Academy of Music is Philadelphia’s cornerstone of the arts. As the oldest opera house in the United States still hosting performances, the Academy of Music stands as a testament to the city’s vibrant arts community.
Arden Theater
40 N. 2nd Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106
Please call the Box Office at 215.922.1122 for upcoming Captioned performance dates and availability of equipment.
See More Details
Assistive Listening Devices: All three of our theaters are equipped with assistive listening devices for every performance. Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Our ALD devices were recently replaced in the fall of 2019, thanks to a generous grant from the McLean Contributionship. Hard of hearing patrons can use their own hearing aids with a t-coil / neck loop provided by the theater and may sit in any seat in a theater that has the equipment.
The house manager on duty will provide you with a headset in exchange for a driver’s license or other form of identification, which will be returned to you when you return the headset at the end of the performance.
Open Captioning: Open captioning is a text display of all of the words and sounds heard during a production and is positioned so that anyone in a particular seating area can see it. Please call the Box Office at 215.922.1122 or email at boxofficer@ardentheatre.org to identify the captioned performances and to arrange tickets and special seating to ensure the best view of our interpreters, for your preferred date.
Audio-Description (A-D): Audio description for patrons with vision loss includes live verbal commentary, providing information on the essential visual elements of a production as it unfolds, such as the style and design of a production, facial expressions, and visual jokes. The description is delivered in between the dialogue of a performance and is only picked up by the audience member wearing a specific headset provided by the theatre.
American Sign Language (ASL) Shadow Interpretation: Shadow interpreting offers ASL-INT by interpreters who “shadow” the actors, following them onstage while interpreting. This allows the Deaf or hard of hearing person to watch the actors and interpreters easily. The Arden offers Shadow Signed Performances, in partnership with HANDS UP Productions for Arden Children’s Theatre. Check on-line or call the Box Office for performances.
Delaware Theater Company
200 Water Street • Wilmington, Delaware 19801 • 302.594.1100
See More Details
The theater is equipped with a new wireless assistive listening system. Please see the box office for more information. A driver’s license or credit card is required for deposit.
Forest Theater
1114 Walnut St Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 212-944-3700 Box Office Not Open
See More Details
The Forrest Theatre provides accommodations for patrons who are blind, deaf, partially sighted, and/or have hearing loss. The theatre provides Infrared (IF) Assistive Listening Devices for every performance at the theatre. The IF system can be used with a headset, neck loop or a 3.5 AudioJack to connect to your own equipment. In addition, hand-held audio description devices and hand-held captioning devices are available, and there is unlimited access to downloadable audio description and/or captioning for personal mobile devices free of charge. (Hand-held devices are limited, although additional devices can be obtained with at least twenty-four hours’ notice.) If you have questions, contact Shubert Audience Services at 212-944-3700 or audienceservices@shubertorg.com. There is also a representative at the Shubert Audience Services kiosk at every performance to assist any patron with any of our devices, software, or technology.
Fulton Theater
12 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17608-1865 • (717) 397-7425
See More Details
Assistive Listening Devices: Assistive Listening Devices amplify and clarify the sound onstage. The inconspicuous FM receiver may be used in any seat at any performance. Induction neck loops are available for patrons who use hearing aids and cochlear implants with a T-coil feature. There is no charge to use a receiver. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from the Audience Services Desk, located to the right of Fulton’s Main Entrance.
American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL): Certified interpreters for select performances provide American Sign Language interpretation. ASL interpreted performances are held on the second Saturday of each Premier Series production. To access special reserved seating, complete an Accessibility Ticket Reservation Form. If you need to cancel your reservation, contact access@thefulton.org so that we may extend an offer to wait listed patrons. The Pay-What-You-Want program is available for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing at all ASL interpreted performances.
Open Captioned Performances: Open-captioned performances are held on the second Saturday and third Tuesday of each Premier Series production. Open-Captioned performances provide patrons with live text presentation of onstage dialogue on a LED screen situated in a box to the side of the stage or hung above the stage. The captions seen on the LED screen may be read from every seat in the theatre. An experienced captioner scrolls text in sync with the actors’ spoken word. Open-captioned performances are scheduled for every second Saturday and third Tuesday for each mainstage production. Tickets can be reserved at the box office or online. The Pay-What-You-Want program is available for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing at all open captioned performances.
Hedgerow Theater Company
64 Rose Valley Rd, Media, PA 19063 • (610) 565-4211
See More Details
Open Caption performances feature an LED screen that displays the spoken dialogue and descriptions of sound effects of a performance live.
Visit individual production pages for dates and times of upcoming Open Caption Performances.
Contact us for any accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211.
Kimmel Center / Verizon Hall / Perelman Theater / Academy of Music / Miller Theater
300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 • (215) 790-5800
See More Details
American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL) is available at select Broadway Philadelphia performances. ASL allows patrons who speak ASL to understand and enjoy the performance by having all the spoken and sung lyrics translated into American Sign Language. The interpreters are located on the side of the Parquet section and are visible to all guests seated near them, providing a seamless viewing experience. Please contact Patron Services for more information, ASL performance dates, or to request this service for another performance. Please allow at least two weeks advance notice for this accommodation.
These Assistive listening devices are available for all venues on campus:
Verizon Hall and the Perelman Theater, devices are available with over-ear headphones or T-Loops.
Academy of Music and Merriam Theater, devices are available with in-ear headphones.
All assistive listening devices are available on a first come, first served basis. Please inquire with House Management upon your arrival.
Please inquire about Live Captions at the Kimmel Center. Closed Captions will be offered for select film screenings.
Please contact Patron Services for information and availability. See More Details https://www.kimmelcenter.org/about-us/contact/
Miller Theater (formerly Merriam Theater)
(Additional Information listed under Kimmel Center)
250 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 • 215-893-1999
Peoples Light
39 Conestoga Road, Malvern PA 19355 • 610.644.3500
See More Details
Audio Devices & T-Coil Loops
Accessibility - Smart Caption Glasses!
The smart caption glasses are available to the general public. Check the website for details on how to reserve them and any questions you may have.
Patrons can borrow the following equipment for free at People’s Light:
Audio headsets: Headsets and battery packs with volume control that amplify the performance.
T-Coil “induction” loops: Worn around the neck, these devices transmit sound directly from our speaker system into hearing aids and cochlear implants that have a Telecoil setting.
We provide these devices for all performances on a first come, first served basis, no reservations required.
Please pick them up at the Will Call Desk.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters sit next to the stage and translate the show in real time for patrons who speak ASL. Please contact our Box Office for the schedule of ASL-translated performances.
Philadelphia Theater Company
480 S. Broad St. Phila, PA • 215.985.0420
See More Details
Saturday matinee performances are crafted with Open Captioning.
For audience members who are hearing impaired. A large LED captioning screen, positioned beside the stage, scrolls text of the lyrics/dialogue in tandem with the lyrics/dialogue of the performance.
UPTOWN / Knauer Performing Arts Center
226 N High St, West Chester, PA 19380 • 610.356.2787
See More Details
The theater has a looped assistive hearing system. It works when your hearing aid T-coil is turned on.
Walnut Street Theater
825 Walnut Street · Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 215-574-3550
See More Details
Assisted Listening Devices
The Walnut offers assisted listening devices for Mainstage performances with loop technology for the hard of hearing. Infrared hearing enhancers are available in the lobby on a first-come, first-served basis; quantities are limited.
Open Caption Performances
Our open caption subscription series is on Sunday evenings (Week D) in the Mainstage Theatre. Please visit the individual show calendar for specific dates.
ASL or American Sign Language Performances
We also offer ASL Interpretation for select performances. Please visit the individual show calendar for specific dates.
Wilma Theater
265 S Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 215.546.7824
See More Details
Assisted Listening Devices: The Wilma Theater has ALDs for use during performances. Infrared hearing devices may be borrowed from house management in the Lobby. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please see the House Manager on the day of the show to reserve.
Open Captioned Performances: We offer an open captioned performance on the second Saturday Matinee of every performance run of the mainstage season.
Wilmington Grand Opera
See More Details
Grand / Copeland Hall Mainstage: 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 • 302.652.5577
Baby Grand: 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 • 302.652.5577
Playhouse: 1007 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 • 302.888.0200
In all cases the technology involved is complicated and some unexpected problems may impact your experience. The information I have included from each theaters website may not be an accurate description of how their systems function. The only way to truly know is to go and experience the shows. Please let us know about your experiences.
Per our HLAA technical advisor: "How voices are picked up is a crucial factor, and anything other than individual microphones on each actor is problematic. Simply hanging a mike over the stage somewhere can be worse than nothing at all. With proper miking, FM, IR, and loop systems are all capable of good results."
Assisted Listening Theaters
Academy of Music
(Complete Information listed under Kimmel Center)
240 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA • (215) 893-1999
See More Details
Devices are available with in-ear headphones.
The Academy of Music is Philadelphia’s cornerstone of the arts. As the oldest opera house in the United States still hosting performances, the Academy of Music stands as a testament to the city’s vibrant arts community.
Arden Theater
40 N. 2nd Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106
Please call the Box Office at 215.922.1122 for upcoming Captioned performance dates and availability of equipment.
See More Details
Assistive Listening Devices: All three of our theaters are equipped with assistive listening devices for every performance. Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Our ALD devices were recently replaced in the fall of 2019, thanks to a generous grant from the McLean Contributionship. Hard of hearing patrons can use their own hearing aids with a t-coil / neck loop provided by the theater and may sit in any seat in a theater that has the equipment.
The house manager on duty will provide you with a headset in exchange for a driver’s license or other form of identification, which will be returned to you when you return the headset at the end of the performance.
Open Captioning: Open captioning is a text display of all of the words and sounds heard during a production and is positioned so that anyone in a particular seating area can see it. Please call the Box Office at 215.922.1122 or email at boxofficer@ardentheatre.org to identify the captioned performances and to arrange tickets and special seating to ensure the best view of our interpreters, for your preferred date.
Audio-Description (A-D): Audio description for patrons with vision loss includes live verbal commentary, providing information on the essential visual elements of a production as it unfolds, such as the style and design of a production, facial expressions, and visual jokes. The description is delivered in between the dialogue of a performance and is only picked up by the audience member wearing a specific headset provided by the theatre.
American Sign Language (ASL) Shadow Interpretation: Shadow interpreting offers ASL-INT by interpreters who “shadow” the actors, following them onstage while interpreting. This allows the Deaf or hard of hearing person to watch the actors and interpreters easily. The Arden offers Shadow Signed Performances, in partnership with HANDS UP Productions for Arden Children’s Theatre. Check on-line or call the Box Office for performances.
Delaware Theater Company
200 Water Street • Wilmington, Delaware 19801 • 302.594.1100
See More Details
The theater is equipped with a new wireless assistive listening system. Please see the box office for more information. A driver’s license or credit card is required for deposit.
Forest Theater
1114 Walnut St Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 212-944-3700 Box Office Not Open
See More Details
The Forrest Theatre provides accommodations for patrons who are blind, deaf, partially sighted, and/or have hearing loss. The theatre provides Infrared (IF) Assistive Listening Devices for every performance at the theatre. The IF system can be used with a headset, neck loop or a 3.5 AudioJack to connect to your own equipment. In addition, hand-held audio description devices and hand-held captioning devices are available, and there is unlimited access to downloadable audio description and/or captioning for personal mobile devices free of charge. (Hand-held devices are limited, although additional devices can be obtained with at least twenty-four hours’ notice.) If you have questions, contact Shubert Audience Services at 212-944-3700 or audienceservices@shubertorg.com. There is also a representative at the Shubert Audience Services kiosk at every performance to assist any patron with any of our devices, software, or technology.
Fulton Theater
12 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17608-1865 • (717) 397-7425
See More Details
Assistive Listening Devices: Assistive Listening Devices amplify and clarify the sound onstage. The inconspicuous FM receiver may be used in any seat at any performance. Induction neck loops are available for patrons who use hearing aids and cochlear implants with a T-coil feature. There is no charge to use a receiver. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from the Audience Services Desk, located to the right of Fulton’s Main Entrance.
American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL): Certified interpreters for select performances provide American Sign Language interpretation. ASL interpreted performances are held on the second Saturday of each Premier Series production. To access special reserved seating, complete an Accessibility Ticket Reservation Form. If you need to cancel your reservation, contact access@thefulton.org so that we may extend an offer to wait listed patrons. The Pay-What-You-Want program is available for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing at all ASL interpreted performances.
Open Captioned Performances: Open-captioned performances are held on the second Saturday and third Tuesday of each Premier Series production. Open-Captioned performances provide patrons with live text presentation of onstage dialogue on a LED screen situated in a box to the side of the stage or hung above the stage. The captions seen on the LED screen may be read from every seat in the theatre. An experienced captioner scrolls text in sync with the actors’ spoken word. Open-captioned performances are scheduled for every second Saturday and third Tuesday for each mainstage production. Tickets can be reserved at the box office or online. The Pay-What-You-Want program is available for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing at all open captioned performances.
Hedgerow Theater Company
64 Rose Valley Rd, Media, PA 19063 • (610) 565-4211
See More Details
Open Caption performances feature an LED screen that displays the spoken dialogue and descriptions of sound effects of a performance live.
Visit individual production pages for dates and times of upcoming Open Caption Performances.
Contact us for any accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211.
Kimmel Center / Verizon Hall / Perelman Theater / Academy of Music / Miller Theater
300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 • (215) 790-5800
See More Details
American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL) is available at select Broadway Philadelphia performances. ASL allows patrons who speak ASL to understand and enjoy the performance by having all the spoken and sung lyrics translated into American Sign Language. The interpreters are located on the side of the Parquet section and are visible to all guests seated near them, providing a seamless viewing experience. Please contact Patron Services for more information, ASL performance dates, or to request this service for another performance. Please allow at least two weeks advance notice for this accommodation.
These Assistive listening devices are available for all venues on campus:
Verizon Hall and the Perelman Theater, devices are available with over-ear headphones or T-Loops.
Academy of Music and Merriam Theater, devices are available with in-ear headphones.
All assistive listening devices are available on a first come, first served basis. Please inquire with House Management upon your arrival.
Please inquire about Live Captions at the Kimmel Center. Closed Captions will be offered for select film screenings.
Please contact Patron Services for information and availability. See More Details https://www.kimmelcenter.org/about-us/contact/
Miller Theater (formerly Merriam Theater)
(Additional Information listed under Kimmel Center)
250 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 • 215-893-1999
Peoples Light
39 Conestoga Road, Malvern PA 19355 • 610.644.3500
See More Details
Audio Devices & T-Coil Loops
Accessibility - Smart Caption Glasses!
The smart caption glasses are available to the general public. Check the website for details on how to reserve them and any questions you may have.
Patrons can borrow the following equipment for free at People’s Light:
Audio headsets: Headsets and battery packs with volume control that amplify the performance.
T-Coil “induction” loops: Worn around the neck, these devices transmit sound directly from our speaker system into hearing aids and cochlear implants that have a Telecoil setting.
We provide these devices for all performances on a first come, first served basis, no reservations required.
Please pick them up at the Will Call Desk.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters sit next to the stage and translate the show in real time for patrons who speak ASL. Please contact our Box Office for the schedule of ASL-translated performances.
Philadelphia Theater Company
480 S. Broad St. Phila, PA • 215.985.0420
See More Details
Saturday matinee performances are crafted with Open Captioning.
For audience members who are hearing impaired. A large LED captioning screen, positioned beside the stage, scrolls text of the lyrics/dialogue in tandem with the lyrics/dialogue of the performance.
UPTOWN / Knauer Performing Arts Center
226 N High St, West Chester, PA 19380 • 610.356.2787
See More Details
The theater has a looped assistive hearing system. It works when your hearing aid T-coil is turned on.
Walnut Street Theater
825 Walnut Street · Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 215-574-3550
See More Details
Assisted Listening Devices
The Walnut offers assisted listening devices for Mainstage performances with loop technology for the hard of hearing. Infrared hearing enhancers are available in the lobby on a first-come, first-served basis; quantities are limited.
Open Caption Performances
Our open caption subscription series is on Sunday evenings (Week D) in the Mainstage Theatre. Please visit the individual show calendar for specific dates.
ASL or American Sign Language Performances
We also offer ASL Interpretation for select performances. Please visit the individual show calendar for specific dates.
Wilma Theater
265 S Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 215.546.7824
See More Details
Assisted Listening Devices: The Wilma Theater has ALDs for use during performances. Infrared hearing devices may be borrowed from house management in the Lobby. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please see the House Manager on the day of the show to reserve.
Open Captioned Performances: We offer an open captioned performance on the second Saturday Matinee of every performance run of the mainstage season.
Wilmington Grand Opera
See More Details
Grand / Copeland Hall Mainstage: 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 • 302.652.5577
Baby Grand: 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 • 302.652.5577
Playhouse: 1007 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 • 302.888.0200
- Home
- About
-
RESOURCES
- Books and More
- Assistive Listening Device information & websites >
- Best Practices Questions
- OTC Hearing Aids information!
- Mortimer Bauer Scholarship Information >
- Coronavirus and Hospitalization
- HLAA 2019 Convention reports!
- Closed Captions at the Movies
- Volumetrics - Hearing Pollution
- WCU Speech & Hearing Clinic
- Hearing loop
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- Tax Breaks from Uncle Sam
- Hearing Loss Southeastern PA
- dB Exposure Limits Chart NIOSH
- Theaters with Assisted Listening
- Help4Hearing / Hearing Aid Project
-
Photo Gallery
- Newsletter Archives
- Events
- Contact
- Donations