Why Are C

volume in order to try to hear more clearly.Unfortunately, the volume may then be too loud for the spouse who likely doesn’when a commercial comes on at a very high level, it can be very annoying.

So why do advertisers make the commercials so loud

It’s due to something called noise saturation. Even thowatching a show with the TV volume set to your comfort level, saturation levels vary from notice this if you switch inhear while another requires an increase in volume. are involved in the programvolume that the show permits at differentThis allows the production team to make a scene more dramatic or suspenseful, more scary or more amusing.

The volume setting you select for the program is simplyfor the sound for your chosen program. Youscenes or more or less background noise, all based on the volume level you choose with your remote. The ssounds in each scene will So, the sound can blast out only 50%, depending on the dramatic effect the engineers are trying to create.

Commercials So Loud, Anyway?

The days of leaping for the TV remote to lower the volume when your favorite show cuts to commercial will soon be a thing of the past. The CALM Act (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation) was recently passed by the Senate and requiresthat the FCC ban the decades-old practice increasing the volume of commercials. Many spouses of those with hearing loss are leaping for joy. It’s not uncommon for a person with hearing loss to turn up the TV

try to hear more clearly.Unfortunately, the volume may then be too loud for the spouse who likely doesn’t have a hearing loss. when a commercial comes on at a very high level, it can be very annoying.

So why do advertisers make the commercials so loud?

s due to something called noise saturation. Even though you might begin watching a show with the TV volume set to your comfort level, saturation levels vary from scene to scene and from show to show.notice this if you switch in-between stations. One show might be easy to hear while another requires an increase in volume. The sound engineers that are involved in the program’s production have control over the amount of volume that the show permits at different times throughout the pThis allows the production team to make a scene more dramatic or suspenseful, more scary or more amusing.

you select for the program is simply the maximum level sound for your chosen program. You can have louder and qui

scenes or more or less background noise, all based on the volume level you choose with your remote. The sound engineers control whether particular sounds in each scene will be coming out of the TV at maximum levels or not.

out at 100% of how loud you’ve set the only 50%, depending on the dramatic effect the engineers are trying to

TV remote to your favorite show

cuts to commercial will soon be a thing of the past. The CALM Act (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation) was

by the Senate and requiresold practice of

increasing the volume of commercials. Many ring loss are

It’s not uncommon for a person with hearing loss to turn up the TV

try to hear more clearly.Unfortunately, the volume may t have a hearing loss. So,

when a commercial comes on at a very high level, it can be very annoying.

ugh you might begin watching a show with the TV volume set to your comfort level, the noise

show to show.You might One show might be easy to

The sound engineers that tion have control over the amount of

times throughout the program. This allows the production team to make a scene more dramatic or

the maximum level an have louder and quieter

scenes or more or less background noise, all based on the volume level you rol whether particular

at maximum levels or not. at 100% of how loud you’ve set the TV or at

only 50%, depending on the dramatic effect the engineers are trying to

When it comes to commercials, advertisers are smart. The commercial is produced to deliberately increase the sound saturation to 100%, in most cases, in order to grab your attention. The increase is especially noticeable if the show you’ve just been watching is right in the middle of a quiet or tranquil scene. The brain is an amazing thing; it remembers what is new and exciting. By creating a novel incident, marketers know they can get your attention and by doing so, you are likely to remember their product the next time you see it on the shelf.

With the CALM act, spouses can rest easy again…until their husband or wife starts using new technology. With new ways of watching TV programs and movies without actually having a TV, there is a new way for advertisers to continue to use sound saturation to get our attention. Mainly, the computer-based internet sites that allow you to watch your favorite show are not controlled by the FCC. And, in many cases, the viewer cannot skip past commercials, leaving us exposed once again to the psychological manipulations of the genius marketers. So, how do you combat the annoying and troublesome volume changes? The best way to manage it will continue to be…the Mute button.

North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab is dedicated to providing high quality hearing healthcare. The audiologists take pride in providing comprehensive state-of-the-art hearing healthcare for individuals of all ages. Audiologists are the primary healthcare providers who provide comprehensive diagnostic testing and rehabilitation for patients of all ages. Please call our office at (847) 432-5555 to schedule an evaluation of your hearing healthcare needs.