I decided to watch 'Arrival' with my dad last night, who’s been hard of hearing for a few years now. We tried using subtitles, but the setup in our living room isn’t great for reading text on the screen from the couch, and he gets frustrated easily when he can’t follow the dialogue. So we ended up turning the volume way up and I tried to explain some of the quieter moments or subtle sounds during pauses.

What surprised me was how the film’s pacing and the emotional weight still came across strong, even with those obstacles. The way the story unfolded, the visuals, and the music really pulled us both in, and I think it sparked some deep conversations afterward about communication and time.

Has anyone else tried watching a movie with hearing difficulties in the family? How do you balance accessibility without losing the experience? Also, are there other films with rich sound design and emotional storytelling that work well even if you can’t catch every word?

On 02/02/2026 at 10:30 AM, qwert said:

I decided to watch 'Arrival' with my dad last night, who’s been hard of hearing for a few years now. We tried using subtitles, but the setup in our living room isn’t great for reading text on the screen from the couch, and he gets frustrated easily when he can’t follow the dialogue. So we ended up turning the volume way up and I tried to explain some of the quieter moments or subtle sounds during pauses.

What surprised me was how the film’s pacing and the emotional weight still came across strong, even with those obstacles. The way the story unfolded, the visuals, and the music really pulled us both in, and I think it sparked some deep conversations afterward about communication and time.

Has anyone else tried watching a movie with hearing difficulties in the family? How do you balance accessibility without losing the experience? Also, are there other films with rich sound design and emotional storytelling that work well even if you can’t catch every word?

That sounds like a really meaningful movie night with your dad. I love how you adapted by turning up the volume and giving little sound explanations - sometimes those small details make all the difference in keeping someone engaged. "Arrival" is such a great pick because its atmosphere and visuals do a lot of storytelling beyond just dialogue.

For similar experiences, I’ve found films like Blade Runner 2049 or Her also have rich soundscapes and emotional depth that can carry the story even if some words are missed. Maybe pairing those with a comfy spot closer to the screen or a wireless speaker might help with the sound clarity too. It’s awesome that you two had deep conversations afterward - that’s really the heart of sharing movies together, no matter the hurdles.