Two Questions and Illegible "Captcha" Required to Post

[qlopp2]

Hi, per my subject, is this the new normal to require answering these questions and Captcha phrase each and every time one posts or even edits his post?

I have to play the sound every time because I can't make out at least one letter in each phrase.  I'm logged in.  Is there a super user or a paid member status that bypasses this security requirement, at least after the first series of challenges is successfully answered, perhaps for a short length of time, or browser closing, or logging out?

I understand that spam is a huge concern, however I don't see this type of measure on other forums, paid or advertising-driven.  The vast majority of said forums are spam free, if not offensive user-free.