How Live Audio Description Works

At a live, in-person event, the Describer, located either in an isolated space or in the audience, speaks into a microphone:

Martin in the spot booth with an open mic at Chicago’s Nederlander Theater.
Martin at Chicago’s United Center using a stenographer’s mask mic during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

The microphone signal is fed into a transmitter that broadcasts the description into the venue. Patrons use individual, venue-supplied receivers equipped with headsets or earbuds to listen to the description.

FM radio transmitter
Receiver with an over-the-ear headset.

Live Audio Description may be voiced extemporaneously or read from a script prepared by the Describer in advance.

Contact us to explore Live Audio Description for your next event.