Hearing protection

[PILOON]

There seemed to be a trend to use background music to create excitement.
Problem is that background music makes lots of dialogue hard to follow.
I simply no longer watch that kind of programming.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I'll try it. I'm just about ready to try anything. My hearing is OK in the lower ranges but nothing more than a garble in the upper ranges. So while I can talk to some of my buddies in a crowded bar, I can't hold a conversation with my wife in a quiet restaurant.
rScotty

My hearing issues are quite similar. For me, the combination of the Zvox sound bar and the Eargo aids linked above eliminate most of my problems. It should be noted however that everyone is different and what works for some may not for all.

Both Zvox and Eargo have a free 30 day trial offer and can be returned if they don't work out.

 

[2manyrocks]

I looked for a device like this that could be inserted into the audio stream but never found one, that was a year ago. The best solution and one that works is the ZVOX soundbar. I bought the AV157 for my TV and the AV100 for my computer sound system. The only downfall is both soundbars respond to the same remote signals. If you are using both soundbars in the same area, well.

The problem I had with closed captioning is the speed the text was displayed, sometimes faster than what I could read. It seems not all content has the same closed captioning format, some were one-line text boxes while others were three-line boxes.

If you do find a device that will bring out the dialogue please post back, I'm interested.

Once they overlay sound effects and music on top of dialogue, it's practically impossible to unbury the dialogue.

You can do a few things to improve speech intelligibility. One is to use high quality speakers. Generally, smaller diameter speakers like bookshelf speakers are going to be better for speech than larger speakers that are all about that bass. Another is to use signal processing. Basic signal processing is to use the treble and bass controls. Cut back on the bass. Turn off the "enhanced" boomify nonsense that just muddies up the sound.

I'd suggest being cautious about using headphones to watch TV because they can blast you with volume pretty quickly.

You could insert a compressor in the signal chain to limit the volume spikes and boost low speech. The practical application in sound reinforcement or radio broadcast is to level the volume levels. But with so many TVs not having analog outputs, it can be a pain to make the connections between a TV and a pro audio compressor.

 

[rScotty]

My hearing issues are quite similar. For me, the combination of the Zvox sound bar and the Eargo aids linked above eliminate most of my problems. It should be noted however that everyone is different and what works for some may not for all.

Both Zvox and Eargo have a free 30 day trial offer and can be returned if they don't work out.

That's the kind of simple advice I can understand. Ordered the AV357 ZVOX sound bar today, and am checking out the Eargo aids... The Eargos are expensive enough to slow down my rush.

I do wish that the TV would separate out the audio channel and allow us to do our mixing at home. I have seen - but never used - manual sound balancers that allow a number of different frequency ranges to be adjusted with sliding controls.
rScotty

 

[bdhsfz6]

That's the kind of simple advice I can understand. Ordered the AV357 ZVOX sound bar today, and am checking out the Eargo aids... The Eargos are expensive enough to slow down my rush.

I do wish that the TV would separate out the audio channel and allow us to do our mixing at home. I have seen - but never used - manual sound balancers that allow a number of different frequency ranges to be adjusted with sliding controls.
rScotty

You would think TV broadcasters would offer some flexibility with their sound tracks considering the number who suffer from age related hearing loss. I guess they feel closed captioning is enough.

Yeah, the Eargo's are expensive. I've been using them for almost 5 years now and they work well enough for me. Not perfect but at least I can hold a conversation in a noisy restaurant. For me anyway, they're worth the expense.

There are some cheaper hidden in ear models on the market now but I don't know how well they work.

 

[2manyrocks]

That's the kind of simple advice I can understand. Ordered the AV357 ZVOX sound bar today, and am checking out the Eargo aids... The Eargos are expensive enough to slow down my rush.

I do wish that the TV would separate out the audio channel and allow us to do our mixing at home. I have seen - but never used - manual sound balancers that allow a number of different frequency ranges to be adjusted with sliding controls.
rScotty

You are thinking of analog equalization sliders (EQ). Most of this is done digitally by DSP (digital signal processing) today such that all of the frequencies are adjustable in software if you were to use a DSP amplifier.

The problem is still that once they overlay all of the music and sound effects on top of the dialogue, it's like trying to unscramble an egg even if you were to throw DSP at it.

IMO, the top website for home theater video and audio is Home Theater Forum and Systems

edit: Analog EQ and compressors are going the way of VHS tapes because DSP systems are less expensive and offer more fine tuning.

 

[rScotty]

You are thinking of analog equalization sliders (EQ). Most of this is done digitally by DSP (digital signal processing) today such that all of the frequencies are adjustable in software if you were to use a DSP amplifier.

The problem is still that once they overlay all of the music and sound effects on top of the dialogue, it's like trying to unscramble an egg even if you were to throw DSP at it.

IMO, the top website for home theater video and audio is Home Theater Forum and Systems

edit: Analog EQ and compressors are going the way of VHS tapes because DSP systems are less expensive and offer more fine tuning.

Ah yes... I am an analog guy in a digital world. Thanks. I had forgotten they were called slider type equalizers.

The problem with a Digital Signal Processing solution is that they tend to be too general. I like your analogy about the difficulty in using DSP to unscramble an egg. That's defines the problem perfectly.

Luckily I have a built-in digital-to-analog computing device that deals pretty well with the more difficult problems.
And the output is specifically designed for driving sliders.
rScotty

 

[gsganzer]

My wife is always yelling at me. I think it's damaged my hearing.

 

[rScotty]

You would think TV broadcasters would offer some flexibility with their sound tracks considering the number who suffer from age related hearing loss. I guess they feel closed captioning is enough.

Yeah, the Eargo's are expensive. I've been using them for almost 5 years now and they work well enough for me. Not perfect but at least I can hold a conversation in a noisy restaurant. For me anyway, they're worth the expense.

There are some cheaper hidden in ear models on the market now but I don't know how well they work.

OK. I got the ZVOX AV357 Sound Bar this week and have been experimenting with it. Very simple to hook up and adjust. That model is said to be the best for enhancing dialogue.

Bottom line is it works - but isn't perfect. It is best on voice and dialogue. We like to watch a TV show "Ted Lasso" - but between the mixing, the treble dialogue, and the British accents .....well, I just couldn't understand the dialogue. With the Sound Bar on medium settings I can understand the dialogue. It's as simple as that. It works. Not perfectly, and I have to pay attention - but it clearly works as advertised.

The soundbar does make the sounds slightly metallic. That's acceptable for dialogue and even helpful. For music the metallic addition to the top notes isn't an advantage. So for me at least the soundbar is less useful for music.

Next, hearing aids... but it will be awhile.
rScotty

 

[bdhsfz6]

OK. I got the ZVOX AV357 Sound Bar this week and have been experimenting with it. Very simple to hook up and adjust. That model is said to be the best for enhancing dialogue.

Bottom line is it works - but isn't perfect. It is best on voice and dialogue. We like to watch a TV show "Ted Lasso" - but between the mixing, the treble dialogue, and the British accents .....well, I just couldn't understand the dialogue. With the Sound Bar on medium settings I can understand the dialogue. It's as simple as that. It works. Not perfectly, and I have to pay attention - but it clearly works as advertised.

The soundbar does make the sounds slightly metallic. That's acceptable for dialogue and even helpful. For music the metallic addition to the top notes isn't an advantage. So for me at least the soundbar is less useful for music.

Next, hearing aids... but it will be awhile.
rScotty

As you've discovered, the dialogue emphasis feature isn't meant for music. With certain programming which includes music, there is a tradeoff.

When you look at HA's, models with adjustable sound tuning (bass, treble & midrange) can compensate for distortion caused by the dialogue emphasis.

Wireless headphones with these features are also a possibility but they isolate you from conversation with other viewers in the room.