{"id":1785,"date":"2020-05-06T13:36:06","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T17:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entofga.com\/?p=1785"},"modified":"2020-05-08T14:03:09","modified_gmt":"2020-05-08T18:03:09","slug":"face-masks-pose-problem-for-the-hearing-impaired","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entofga.com\/face-masks-pose-problem-for-the-hearing-impaired\/","title":{"rendered":"Face Masks Pose Problem for the Hearing Impaired"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The CDC is recommending that people wear face masks in public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While this is an important measure to protect people from the virus, it does pose a problem for people with hearing loss. This is both because the mask makes communication difficult by muffling speech and creating a physical barrier that prevents lip-reading, and because the straps are uncomfortable for people wearing hearing aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are some tips for people with hearing loss to wear face masks more comfortably, as well as tips for safe communication when one conversation partner has hearing loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wearing a Mask & Hearing Aids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you wear behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, you\u2019ve likely encountered issues trying to wear a standard facemask with elastic ear loops. Many report that removing the mask also pulls out hearing aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere have been calls for the public to use transparent face shields, rather than masks, which may offer a solution. But the public has yet to adopt this solution,\u201d explained Kevin Munro, Ph.D., and professor of audiology at the University of Manchester in the U.K.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until then, you can try wearing a mask with soft fabric ties rather than elastic to relieve pressure, using a mask extender that attaches around the back of your head rather than hooking behind your ears, or utilizing plastic s-hooks to loop the mask onto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicating with Someone with Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Neither the person with hearing loss nor the person without wants to put their health at risk by removing their mask. To ease the burden of communication in public places, try\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n