Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/TechNews/NewStuff/2005/12/15/1354499-cp.html
Punk, rock, jazz, gospel . . . that Mariah Angus is a lover of all music is hardly surprising: it’s in her blood.
Her dad sang lead and played bass guitar in his own band, and she grew up in what she describes as a musical family, but “I can’t pick up a tune to save my life,” she admits.
While seeing live musicians is nothing new for the hearing-impaired 17-year-old, a recent show at the Air Canada Centre was different — she was able to hear more than just bass and drums.
“I was actually able to pick up what they were actually saying,” Mariah said with excitement. “It made a big difference. The sound was very good.”
Mariah is among 120 hearing-impaired teens across Canada who have been offered a new auditory experience during the current 19-city tour by Montreal rock group Simple Plan, courtesy of audio specialists Sennheiser. Special wireless FM systems allow them to receive sound transmitted from the band’s mics through to their hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Prior to each show, a wireless mic and transmitter is set up by sound technicians that plugs directly into their console. The teens’ receivers — slightly larger and a bit heavier than an IPod — are put on the same frequency. The mix of vocals and instruments is carried from the board to the hand-held devices.
The small receiver has a tiny cable attaching to the teens’ hearing aids or cochlear implants, and the sound goes straight to the auditory nerve.
What makes the Mikroport System 2015 unique is a special priority circuit that lowers the sensitivity of the hearing aid microphones when the audio signal is received, helping to optimize speech accuracy and sound clarity.
The project was the brainchild a year in the making of Roseline Boire, Sennheiser’s audiology products business director, who wanted to test the technology in a large-scale venue with a teen audience.
Boire contacted audiologists in various cities who work directly with hearing-impaired teens that use similar wireless systems in the classroom. They put forward names of students selected in a random draw.
As for the choice of band, Boire decided to approach her kids’ favourite music group, who didn’t hesitate to jump on board.
“We take for granted hearing, we take for granted playing music and listening to music every day,” said Simple Plan guitarist Jeff Stinco.
“For a lot of people, it’s not an experience that’s as clear as it is for us, and when that opportunity came up (for the project) we were like, ‘Yeah, totally, we gotta do it.”’
“It’s just so cool to see how much (the teens) look forward to the concert . . . that they could hear and have a good time like everybody else,” said guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre. “It blows my mind, absolutely.”
Squeezing in time before the Toronto concert and an appearance at MuchMusic, the five band members met for half an hour with the teens, signing autographs, taking pictures and exchanging hugs — and even sign language — with their awestruck fans.
“I’ve never been to a concert where I’ve been able to hear properly,” Mariah said after getting hooked up to her system before showtime.
Later, when the lights dimmed and opening act Idol Sons took the stage, the teens were indistinguishable from anyone else in the crowd, transfixed by the sound-and-light spectacle of a full-scale rock show onstage, coupled with the dizzying, dazzling glow of the disco ball radiating overhead.
Many bobbed their heads in unison, pumped their fists in solidarity and waved glowsticks in sway to the music flooding through their wireless systems.
Shaf Hoque had been to the ACC for wrestling, basketball and hockey, but never a rock show. Although he wasn’t able to distinguish the vocals, soaking in the sounds and feelings from the concert experience was an event unto itself.
“I’m feeling a lot of the bass and vibrations,” said the 21-year-old, signing through an interpreter. “I can hear the music and enjoy it more and experience it more.”
After Simple Plan took their final bows, the teens were bubbling over with excitement as they handed back their wireless receivers and raved about the experience.
“Nice and smooth, lots of beats,” said Ashleigh Brady, 18, describing the sounds she felt and heard during the show.
The first-time concertgoer said she wouldn’t hesitate to use the wireless system at another show. “I could understand them and read lips. It makes me feel great,” she said.
Punk, rock, jazz, gospel . . . that Mariah Angus is a lover of all music is hardly surprising: it’s in her blood.
Her dad sang lead and played bass guitar in his own band, and she grew up in what she describes as a musical family, but “I can’t pick up a tune to save my life,” she admits.
While seeing live musicians is nothing new for the hearing-impaired 17-year-old, a recent show at the Air Canada Centre was different — she was able to hear more than just bass and drums.
“I was actually able to pick up what they were actually saying,” Mariah said with excitement. “It made a big difference. The sound was very good.”
Mariah is among 120 hearing-impaired teens across Canada who have been offered a new auditory experience during the current 19-city tour by Montreal rock group Simple Plan, courtesy of audio specialists Sennheiser. Special wireless FM systems allow them to receive sound transmitted from the band’s mics through to their hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Prior to each show, a wireless mic and transmitter is set up by sound technicians that plugs directly into their console. The teens’ receivers — slightly larger and a bit heavier than an IPod — are put on the same frequency. The mix of vocals and instruments is carried from the board to the hand-held devices.
The small receiver has a tiny cable attaching to the teens’ hearing aids or cochlear implants, and the sound goes straight to the auditory nerve.
What makes the Mikroport System 2015 unique is a special priority circuit that lowers the sensitivity of the hearing aid microphones when the audio signal is received, helping to optimize speech accuracy and sound clarity.
The project was the brainchild a year in the making of Roseline Boire, Sennheiser’s audiology products business director, who wanted to test the technology in a large-scale venue with a teen audience.
Boire contacted audiologists in various cities who work directly with hearing-impaired teens that use similar wireless systems in the classroom. They put forward names of students selected in a random draw.
As for the choice of band, Boire decided to approach her kids’ favourite music group, who didn’t hesitate to jump on board.
“We take for granted hearing, we take for granted playing music and listening to music every day,” said Simple Plan guitarist Jeff Stinco.
“For a lot of people, it’s not an experience that’s as clear as it is for us, and when that opportunity came up (for the project) we were like, ‘Yeah, totally, we gotta do it.”’
“It’s just so cool to see how much (the teens) look forward to the concert . . . that they could hear and have a good time like everybody else,” said guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre. “It blows my mind, absolutely.”
Squeezing in time before the Toronto concert and an appearance at MuchMusic, the five band members met for half an hour with the teens, signing autographs, taking pictures and exchanging hugs — and even sign language — with their awestruck fans.
“I’ve never been to a concert where I’ve been able to hear properly,” Mariah said after getting hooked up to her system before showtime.
Later, when the lights dimmed and opening act Idol Sons took the stage, the teens were indistinguishable from anyone else in the crowd, transfixed by the sound-and-light spectacle of a full-scale rock show onstage, coupled with the dizzying, dazzling glow of the disco ball radiating overhead.
Many bobbed their heads in unison, pumped their fists in solidarity and waved glowsticks in sway to the music flooding through their wireless systems.
Shaf Hoque had been to the ACC for wrestling, basketball and hockey, but never a rock show. Although he wasn’t able to distinguish the vocals, soaking in the sounds and feelings from the concert experience was an event unto itself.
“I’m feeling a lot of the bass and vibrations,” said the 21-year-old, signing through an interpreter. “I can hear the music and enjoy it more and experience it more.”
After Simple Plan took their final bows, the teens were bubbling over with excitement as they handed back their wireless receivers and raved about the experience.
“Nice and smooth, lots of beats,” said Ashleigh Brady, 18, describing the sounds she felt and heard during the show.
The first-time concertgoer said she wouldn’t hesitate to use the wireless system at another show. “I could understand them and read lips. It makes me feel great,” she said.
