In most public spaces, face masks are required to stop the spread of COVID-19. Most of us are aware that masks make communication difficult because they muffle voices. No one is more aware of these difficulties than the hearing loss community, who have had to come up with creative solutions to improve communication while staying safe.
Mask Buttons
Having difficulty making out the words someone is saying through their face mask can be frustrating, but not knowing when someone is trying to get your attention can be downright dangerous. In public spaces like the grocery store, someone may try to get your attention so they can get by you at a safe distance or even warn you if you’re about to walk through a wet spot on the floor or other hazard.
Amy Bull, a career services coordinator for Hondros College of Nursing in Westerville, OH, who has hearing loss, described a common scenario when students walk into her office: “I will say again and again, ’I cannot hear you,’ and their initial reaction is to rip off their mask every time and keep talking,” she said. “And that’s not doing anybody any good.”
So, she came up with a solution. Bull created buttons to pin onto her mask that convey that she has hearing loss and needs her conversation partner to speak up. Some of the buttons, which can be found on her Etsy shop, read:
- I wear hearing aids.
- Your mask means I can’t read your lips. Please speak up.
- I’m deaf and read lips.
- Please be patient. I’m hard of hearing.
- Please speak clearly. I’m hearing impaired.
These buttons are available in a variety of colors and styles to match your aesthetic preferences while performing their essential service.
See-Through Masks
If you have hearing loss, buttons can be helpful to convey your communication needs. But if you have a loved one who has hearing loss or work with the general population, there are steps you can take to be understood without pulling off your mask and putting others at risk.
See-through masks have been gaining popularity, as they allow your conversation partner to read lips. Director of Infectious Disease at Vanderbilt explained, “We know that the virus cannot penetrate plastic or solid materials, so see-through masks provide potentially a great option for balancing infection prevention with the desire to be able to see somebody’s mouth move.”
For more communication strategies or to schedule an appointment, call The Hearing & Balance Center today.