This new captioning device will allow those of us with hearing loss to enjoy first-run movies.
Lipreading Mom and members of the Hearing Loss Association of America-Kansas City Chapter attended a special AMC movie screening this week to test out new captioning equipment.
This article was written by Terri Shirley, one of the steering leaders of the Kansas City Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. Terri and I, along with three others, attended a special screening of “Footloose” this week to test out new closed captioning equipment at our local theater.
Recently a few members of our Hearing Loss Association of America-Kansas City Chapter were invited by AMC Theatres (headquarters in KC) to test the new reader box and system manufactured by a company named DO REI ME. The name of the personal hearing amplification system is Fidelio, also made by DO REI ME.
AMC is replacing their reflective and radio controlled devices with the new reader boxes. ALL theater rooms will be captioned and we will even be able to go to 3D movies that are captioned – Wow!
If you think that is great, don’t go away because the personal hearing amplification system (not pictured) has a plug-in which AMC recommends guests bring their own headphones to plug into the device, however AMC will continue to provide headsets as needed. One of our members brought her ClearSounds CLA7v2 Amplified Power Neckloop Accessory to get a direct connect to her cochlea implant. However, the sound devices are still in testing phase and were not working yet. We anticipate people who own neckloops will be able to enjoy direct connect at the same time using new caption devices. This will be awesome! Sometime next week, our member will go back to test this feature.
If you decide to come to the movies next week, allow a full 30 minutes before the movie starts to be introduced to how to get connected to the sound system and program the reader box for the correct movie theater you are going to be sitting in. AMC listened to our suggestions and will put the directions in writing so you can read how to connect to the device. AMC 30 also liked our suggestion to attach a YouTube video to their Website to explain how all this works. The YouTube would also educate the hearing community when a movie is advertised as closed captioned it does not mean the captions will be seen on the movie screen. The YouTube will also address many of the common questions that the hearing-impaired folks might need to know to make their movie experience go a lot smoother.
The manager of AMC 30 says, “While we will be ready for full Guest use next week/weekend we are still very much in ‘test’ mode, though we feel very good about the new product.” So do we and we think you will too. Please patronize AMC for all the efforts they have put forth to provide us with such nice amenities.
Lipreading Mom 
That’s great! Is this going to be all AMC theaters or just KC area? I have to drive at least 30 minutes to see a captioned movie. What’s even worse is that I have one theater 5 minutes from me, and 2 others 15 minutes from me.
Kathy – To my knowledge, these captioning devices are being launched at this time at the AMC 30 Olathe, Kansas, location only. Check with your local AMC Theatre management or contact AMC headquarters via the Website http://www.amcentertainment.com.
FYI, AMC has joined Regal and Cinemark in committing to providing captioning devices at all their first-run theaters nationwide as they convert to digital projection. AMC has been slower than Regal and Cinemark to actually implement captioning because some of the critical components it needs are made in Japan, and the tsunami caused some significant supply-chain delays.
John Waldo
John – Thank you for the insight and your outstanding captioning advocacy work on behalf of the hearing loss community. Your contributions have opened movie viewing to a broader segment of the population, myself included. Blessings to you, John. -Shanna
Thanks for the explanation. I wish AMC would be more detailed on the status so we can understand what efforts they are putting forth.
We are still waiting for word on when AMC is ready.
great article, photos, and comments! keep up the good captioning advocacy everyone – and follow the ccac too when you can 🙂
as you all know, this is step by step, takes time and more time….
ccacblog.wordpress.com is our blog with room for comments – or join us, free membership; we are all volunteers for inclusion of quality captioning universally – movies and all of real life too!
let us know how our ccac group of passionate captioning advocates can add to your wonderful individual and regional efforts, anytime.
best,
lauren/ccac/www.ccacaptioning.org