Hearing

An open captioning service to enhance the experience of customers who are deaf or have hearing loss is offered for selected performances at the Sydney Opera House. Captions are text descriptions that are displayed on a screen inside the venue.

An Auslan Interpretation service to enhance the experience of customers who are deaf or have hearing loss is offered for selected performances at the Sydney Opera House. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters on stage translate dialogue or lyrics into Auslan.

Surtitles in English are projected above the Joan Sutherland Theatre stage for most opera productions. Additional surtitle screens have been installed at the front of the venue so that they may be read from the wheelchair seating area and nearby seats.  This view is available from Row D, Seats 14 & 36 outwards, Row E seats 14 and 36 outwards, and from the entire row in Rows F and G. 

Some seats in the venue are not able to view the surtitles so please advise Box Office of your requirements when booking tickets.

The Sydney Opera House provides services to improve listening clarity in noisy environments. The systems outlined below amplify the audio of the performances to assist patrons in venues.

Auracast

Auracast is a new assisted listening technology that broadcasts audio with full venue coverage. It is installed in the Drama Theatre, Playhouse and Studio.

Auracast receivers can be collected from the cloakroom prior to the performance. These are provided with headphones or a personal induction loop.

Auracast-enabled hearing devices can directly connect to the signal via settings, please refer to your Audiologist for advice and instructions on your particular device.

FM System

A FM radio frequency transmits audio to receiver, providing full venue coverage in the Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre.

FM receivers can be collected from the cloakroom prior to the performance. These are provided with headphones or personal induction loop.

Hearing Loop

A Hearing Loop provides a wireless signal, amplifying the sound of the performance.

Hearing devices with telecoil function can directly connect to the signal via settings, please refer to your Audiologist for advice and instructions on your particular device.

Venue Coverage:

· Joan Sutherland Theatre: all rows except Stalls Row A

· Drama Theatre: all rows except A, B, C, H, P

· Playhouse: Full coverage

· Utzon Room: Full coverage for amplified performances

· Centre for Creativity: Full coverage for amplified performances

· Concert Hall: - Stalls: All rows except A, B, C, D, E - Dress Circle: All rows except A - Boxes: All except Box B, Seats 59-68 - Choir Section: All rows except C

Thank you to the Yarranabbe Foundation

Please join us in thanking the Yarranabbe Foundation, an Opera House Utzon Idealist major donor, which has enabled upgrades to the induction loops in the Drama Theatre and the Joan Sutherland Theatre for the benefit of our patrons with hearing loss.

Those customers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can call through the National Relay Service at no cost: TTY users, phone 133 677 then ask for  9250 7111; Speak & Listen users (speech-to-speech relay), phone 1800 555 727 then ask for 9250 7111 and Internet relay users, connect to the NRS – see accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs for details – and then ask for 9250 7111.