All persons to whom notice is required may appear at the hearing, testify and, within the discretion of the court, present and cross-examine witnesses and the court may receive the testimony of any other person. The court may exclude all persons not necessary for the conduct of the proceedings. The person for whom the hearing is being held shall have the right to be present at the commitment hearing and such right may be waived only by him or his attorney. The court may in its discretion cause the hearing to be held in any suitable location in the State, without regard to whether the location is in the county of the court conducting the hearing, when the judge is satisfied that the health and welfare of the person concerned is best served by conducting the hearing in a location other than the probate court. The hearing shall be conducted in as informal a manner as may be consistent with orderly procedure and in a physical setting not likely to have a harmful effect on the mental health of the person. The court shall in receiving evidence follow the rules of evidence applicable to the probate courts of this State. If the person is indigent he shall have the right to a free transcript of the record of the proceedings.