A UK is offering subtitle glasses to deaf and hard of hearing customers. The Kavanagh in Herne Bay has two pairs of Watchword glasses, which contain mini projectors in each arm that beam a film's subtitles into the lenses.
image: Kavanagh Cinema owner Robert Johnson demonstrates the Watchword subtitle glasses
The story, from BBC South East,
says the cinema has been trialling the technology since before Christmas and is confident filmgoers with hearing impairments can
enjoy all current releases.
"Most modern films now incorporate subtitles this way," said owner Robert Johnson. He added: "We
used to show films with whole screen subtitles once a month but it wasn't very popular and we were
losing money. Now people can see a film with friends whenever they like."
The glasses cost more than £1,000 each
and can have the text broadcast to the user at either of the Kavanagh's screens, thanks to a Watchword
controller box that reads the film soundtrack in the projector room.
"The glasses are unobtrusive but so far we
haven't had anyone accidentally forget they are wearing them and walk out after a performance", said Johnson.
"It's made
the cinema more accessible to those who previously could not enjoy a night at the movies."
pic: BBC South East