On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID 19 as a pandemic. In less than a few days, our lives took a 360-degree turn. Work from home culture, online schooling, takeaways only, and travel restrictions- all of these new norms took a toll on our mental health. But that's not it; face masks became a modern fashion accessory.

As much as face masks are essential against the transmission of the virus, deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals struggled to keep up with the newly masked world.

Although wearing a face mask, maintaining a distance of 6 feet, and not leaving the house for essentials are necessary to curb the virus, it's high time we become flexible and creative in how hard-of-hearing individuals can communicate.

Four tips for managing face masks and hearing loss

Since individuals relying on lip-reading, and nonverbal communication, can face great trouble, using different strategies for communication can be helpful. Although, there is no one size fits all solution. All of these approaches require a mix of unique ideas. Here are the four ways you or someone you know who suffers from hearing loss can utilize.

#1. Let others know you can't hear them

The first and foremost step is to let the people around you know you're deaf or have hearing loss. It will make communication more effective and understandable. Let others know how they should accommodate your needs be it text, writing, or a gesture that suits you.

#2. Use a smartphone app that facilitates communication

Certain speech-to-text apps facilitate accessible communication. All you need to do is pair your hearing aids with your smartphone, type a text and convert it audibly to your device. This way, you can communicate without the struggles of not being able to hear behind a face mask.

#3. Wear a clear mask or a transparent face shield

Wearing a clear face mask can facilitate accessible communication. However, keep in mind, transparent masks do block some parts of the face and are likely to become fogged while wearing them. Another option is wearing a clear face shield.

#4. Additional face mask or hearing aid options

It's better to use a hearing aid so your hearing abilities don't worsen with time. However, with a standard face mask, you may encounter problems like your face masks may get tangled up in the hearing aid, and you may inadvertently pull your hearing aids out. Consider using face masks that don't go behind your ears, like extenders or surgical face masks that tie behind your head.

In addition, hearing aids come in several styles. It would be best to try other hearing aid options that are not Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids, such as the Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC), In-the-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE), and Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids.

Contact Us

During a time of uncertainty and crises, we must know we are in this together. Being patient, empathetic, and accepting others just the way they are, is the way to get through it. We understand that the challenges of hearing loss and face masks have increased. But before your hearing loss worsens, it's always best to see a specialist and get your hearing tested. And for this, Beltone Dallas Fort Worth should be your go-to choice for all your hearing health needs.

Supplying products worldwide, Beltone uses state-of-art testing equipment. Not only this, the hearing aid specialists and audiologists are trained to incorporate the most advanced technology committed to improving an excellent experience.