There are new CAA guidelines out for those flying with hidden disabilities. It is on Head for Points. Summary points raised.

Have a clear and accessible pre-notification system in place allowing passengers to request special assistance at the point of booking

Share information about a passenger’s assistance needs within their own organisation and with the airport and ground handling agents

Ensure a passenger with a hidden disability is seated with a travelling companion at no extra cost

Invest in quality training for staff so hidden disabilities can be identified and passengers assisted accordingly

Ensure passengers with hidden disabilities are looked after in the event of flight delays and cancellations

It is a long time coming. I am profoundly deaf and it is noted on my BAEC account so when making a booking it pops up to ask if I need assistance. Usually I am flying with my hearing husband so it is declined. Assistance usually means you need someone to get to to the gate/aircraft. When on board l, I rely on my husband relaying the announcements. CC and captain announcements are usually reeling off a big long spiel with no pauses and after 5 mins of all that - my husband can’t remember half of what is said. Furthermore - it should also mean that all films and tv programs on IFE must automatically come with closed caption subtitles. If no subtitles then it should not be loaded. Had a few LH BA flights where no subtitles and it has spoiled the flight for me.

If any BA CC or in Customer Services here please take note - you are happy to take my money - please provide the service that deaf people and those with hidden disabilities require.

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=11&mode=detail&id=8717 . Thanks to Head for Points

Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy your flights, the cabin crew would be aware that you have some hearing difficulty and would make a judgement onboard if you need any additional help, travelling with your husband that can assist you we would politely wait until asked.
The only video that automatically come with subtitles is the safety video, there is always some films that come with subtitles, on some systems I grant you there isn’t a lot of choice, no video system that I know of automatically gives subtitles. Our Highlife magazine lists the films available with subtitles and the crew can assist you finding these, did you ask for help?

Action on Hearing Loss are actively campaigning for every program that is broadcast, on all channels, to have subtitles.

It is is not enough to just have a few - I wanted to see Eddie the Eagle as I am an avid skier but there was no subtitles. It spoiled the flight for me because it was a film that was recently on at the cinema so should have subtitles. Perhaps the subtitled films are the type of movies that I don’t watch.

The problem re exit rows then becomes a ‘what if’ scenario. We have been assigned exit row seats and on reading the T&Cs I’ve had to choose another seat. If the plane ditches at night - the cabin’s in darkness and folk are shouting at you to open the emergency exit. But you can’t understand what they are saying.... what the crew /captain instructions are. I would imagine there’s a lot of noise going on etc.

I would cover my back by not sitting in an exit row.

I have 2 children, 1 ASD and 1 hearing impaired. BA have always given us free seat selection so we can stick together, a quick email after booking and it’s sorted. On boarding sometimes we have been approached and asked if any further assistance is needed, and other times not. My hearing impaired child was able to use her specialist headphones that plugged into her hearing aids, but I agree, on this day and age subtitles really should be an option on all films.