Lake Wedowee Life February 2021 | Page 30

Community

Overcoming the Mask

Tips for Communicating Through COVID-19

( Family Features ) It can be challenging to communicate through masks , 6-feet of social distance , physical barriers and other factors due to COVID-19 that have changed daily life .
For people with hearing loss , this is an especially challenging time . In a telling sign of increased hearing difficulty , usage of online hearing tests increased 500 % since the pandemic began .
“ With COVID-19 and masks , everyday tasks are a source of frustration , such as asking a question at the grocery store deli or talking to someone from behind a customer service desk ,” said Bill Schiffmiller , a lifelong hearing aid user and founder and CEO of Akoio , a hearing wellness company . “ It ’ s a triple threat because masks reduce the loudness of the voice , muffle pronunciation and eliminate visuals like facial expressions and lip reading .
Data shows people who can ’ t hear others begin to stay away from other people , and social isolation can lead to anxiety and depression . People who have trouble hearing also tend to have higher hospitalization rates and longer hospital stays , according to research published in “ JAMA Otolaryngology .”
Among those 55 and older who have hearing loss , 58 % don ’ t use hearing aids . In the past , statistics have shown people waiting up to seven years before getting a hearing aid from the time of diagnosis . However , the communication challenges posed during COVID-19 are driving some to address their hearing sooner than they may have otherwise .
30 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE
Help Someone Hear You Better
• Consider the mask you ' re wearing . Clear masks provide a visual difference , helping with lip reading and facial expressions . The plastic in clear masks , however , can muffle sound too much for some . According to audiologist Dr . Shivani Patel , high-frequency hearing loss is common , making female voices difficult to hear . In this situation , research has found standard medical masks tend to transfer sound best . Try different masks to see what works for you .
• Minimize background noise . Music , construction , other conversations , heaters and fans can make it challenging to communicate when wearing a mask .
• Avoid “ cavernous ” rooms . An environment with mostly hard surfaces , such as a large meeting room or gymnasium , offers minimal sound dampening and can make hearing comprehension more difficult .
• Maintain eye contact . Look directly at the person you ’ re speaking to and speak clearly , helping him or her read some of your facial expressions . When using video conference services , look directly into the camera in a well-lit room and ensure you have clear picture quality to help with lip reading .
• Be patient . Remember the increased challenges people with hearing loss are facing now . If communication becomes too challenging through a mask , have a backup plan such as pen and paper or a smartphone note-taking app .