Most people may not be extremely surprised to learn there is a connection between hearing loss and face masks. Why? During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all had to learn how to communicate through face masks. And most people can attest that face masks make it more difficult to do so.

However, if you suffer from hearing loss and/or wear a hearing aid, face masks can only amplify the problem and make it even more difficult to communicate.  Let’s take a closer look at the connection between face masks and hearing loss during the COVID 19 pandemic as well as the potential impacts to individuals with hearing loss.

How Do Face Masks Impact Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids?

Face masks and any other type of facial personal protective equipment have become a critical part of our health care. Specifically, face masks are designed to protect us from contracting the COVID 19 coronavirus. While effective at protecting, they can amplify hearing loss and cause difficulties for people with hearing loss. These complications stem from:

• Face masks reduce the volume of the speaker’s voice
• Face masks can cause a speaker’s voice to be garbled
• Social distancing measures and hearing shields act as a barrier to reduce sound and muffle the speaker’s voice
• Face masks, by nature, can prevent you from seeing and understanding facial expressions
• Individuals with hearing loss may be unable to rely on lip reading

Some Face Masks Muffle Speech Less Than Others

When it comes to choosing face masks, they are not all created equally. If you have a loved one or a friend who is hard of hearing, the trick is choosing a facemask that doesn’t dampen your voice as much while still protecting you from COVID 19. 

Fortunately, research performed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has learned that some face masks are better for those who regularly communicate with loved ones who are hard of hearing. Depending on the design and type of face mask, it can impact the clarity of speech and reduce sound by anywhere from 5 decibels up to 15 decibels. 

This means that sound and speech isn’t just quieter, it is more muffled, which can be especially problematic for individuals with hearing loss.

Single-Use Face Mask Muffles Sound the Least

The KN95 respirator and the one-time-use surgical face mask can still filter out small particles while only dampening sounds about 5 dB. On the other hand, the cloth face mask works best for communicating with individuals with hearing loss. The cloth face mask, however, provides less protection from viral particulates.

The Clear Plastic Face Mask Reduces Sound the Most

One popular type of face mask is the clear mask. While they do allow individuals with hearing loss to see facial expressions through the clear window and maybe a preferred choice for lip readers, the clear face mask is proven to reduce the speaker’s voice the most.

Social Distancing Can Also Be Problematic for Individuals with Hearing Loss

In addition to a face mask, social distancing can also make communicating challenging for even those with mild hearing loss. Most recommendations from the CDC suggest we keep a safe distance of six feet apart to prevent transmission of the COVID 19 coronavirus. 

Social distancing can also complicate effective communication while amplifying background noise. At the same time, the pandemic has prompted employers to introduce more physical barriers in public settings to protect workers from aerial respiratory droplets. 

Whether you’re visiting a health care provider or at the grocery store, you’re likely to see large, clear plastic dividers. They may protect us from infection, but these social distancing measures can be a barrier for sound for those with hearing loss and hearing aids.

Tips for Wearing Masks and Hearing Aids

One problem presented by face masks for those who wear hearing aids is when the face mask loops tugs on the hearing aid. Here are a few simple but effective mask and hearing aid tips you can use to possibly improve hearing.

• Use a holder for COVID 19 face masks and surgical masks. Holders for surgical masks are worn near the back of your head. Face mask holders work to reduce interference with your eyeglasses and hearing aids.
• Consider using fabric ties for coronavirus face masks to prevent interference with your hearing aids. Fabric ties on face masks are adjustable, which means they can be conveniently loosened when necessary. Compared to elastic ear loops, fabric ties may not interfere with your hearing aids as much.
• Carefully remove your mask. When you wear hearing aids, you should be careful when removing your mask. Avoid yanking or quickly removing your face mask because it could dislodge your hearing aids.

Tips for Communicating with a Loved One with Hearing Loss and/or Hearing Aids

Whether you wear hearing aids or have a loved one with hearing loss, there are several simple steps you can take to improve communication. Here are some of our top communication tips you can use when speaking:

• Reduce background noise. Background noise is always a problem for people with hearing loss or who are hard of hearing. Because of this, you can improve communication by keeping background noise to a minimum when speaking.
• Speak normally. Instead of yelling, it’s best to speak clearly, slowly, and at a normal volume whether you’re wearing a clear mask or no mask at all.
• Say it differently. If your loved one with hearing loss misses something you’ve said, try saying it in a slightly different way. In other words, rephrase your remarks when not heard.
• Face your loved one at a safe social distance. When speaking to a loved one with hearing loss or who wears a hearing aid, it’s best to face them. By doing so, you do two things. On one hand, you give them the opportunity to potentially read lips, facial expressions, and take visual cues. On the other hand, you are directing sound at them, which is key for effective communication and clear speech.
• Take turns when speaking. Even someone with normal hearing may not understand a statement if everyone is talking at the same time. As a result, it’s best to take turns when speaking.

Contact North Shore Hearing P.C. for Hearing Loss & Hearing Solutions

At North Shore Hearing P.C., we offer a range of solutions for those suffering hearing loss. In addition to a range of different types of hearing aids, we are hearing health care specialists. We offer hearing exams and a host of additional hearing services to help transform how you experience your world.