As a loudspeaker manufacturer, you don’t always get enquiries you expect.  This was the case when TV production house Objective Productions contacted Surrey loudspeaker manufacturer EM Acoustics with a rather unusual request. 

Objective Productions, known for producing shows such as Derren Brown, were working on the first show for a series called “Fear Of…”, with the first programme dealing with Flying.  The show features Thought Therapist Lawrence Leyton, who throughout the course of the programme splits people’s fear of flying into core elements such as heights and claustrophobia.  The participants are put through a series of tests to illustrate their fears, and then return to the same tests after therapy, and finally get on a plane for a real flight.  To bring out the effects of claustrophobia, Objective Productions approached EM Acoustics for the use of their anechoic chamber. 

EM’s Mike Wheeler adds “It was a fairly unusual request – not something you get every day anyway!  The chamber was set up for the show with the anechoic floor removed and an EMS-121 loudspeaker installed to allow Lawrence’s voice to be heard by the participants, as well as sound effects to be played through to them.  People either love it or hate it inside the chamber, so I can imagine for someone who suffers badly from claustrophobia it would have been pretty unpleasant, yet an ideal scenario to illustrate the effects.” Lawrence Leyton added “The use of the anechoic chamber really simulated the claustrophobia effect I needed to cure.  It is great to find this sort of facility when you are working in the cut and thrust of television.” 

Were the participants cured?  A question that can only be answered by watching the show on Thursday 24^th August, at 8pm on Channel 4.