“Excuse me, what was it?” It’s a phrase that I repeat a lot today.
My hearing is not so bad. So if I’m struggling to understand others during the pandemic, what should it be like for elderly grandparents and other people with hearing loss, especially with so many people with double masking?
“In the context of the pandemic, we were motivated to look at this issue more closely, as there was little previous research on how different types of masks affect speech,” said study author Joseph Toscano, assistant professor of psychological sciences and brain that runs the cognitive science program at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
“At high levels of background noise, the surgical mask has been shown to less disturb speech recognition, said Dr. Jawad Fares, a postdoctoral researcher in the department of neurological surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago.
“The results of the study are important in light of the current pandemic, as it recognizes the communication challenges we face,” said Fares, who was not involved in the study.
World problem
Many people with hearing loss – and even some who don’t – rely on lip reading to accompany colloquial speech. This tool, of course, is removed by wearing masks during the pandemic.
The good news is that when background noise was limited, as is typical of many everyday environments, the study found that the tissue, surgical masks and N95 allowed speech to be transmitted effectively, Toscano said.
When the background noise was loud enough to interfere with speech understanding, “we found that a surgical mask worked better than other masks for communication,” said Toscano.
“The discovery that surgical masks cause fewer problems than fabric masks or N95 masks is interesting,” said Tucci, of the NIDCD. “However, these (surgical masks) are not always available to the public and, certainly, in the beginning the use of these masks was discouraged in order not to interfere with the supply for use in medical facilities.”
Surgical masks
Real medical-grade masks are made of three layers of non-woven fabric, usually made of plastic. The colored top layer of the fabric is made of medical-grade spunbond polypropylene, which is a heat-bonded resin polymer in a web-like structure.
Surgical masks also have small folding threads to help keep the mask in place and are usually tied behind the head or secured with clamps. These masks are for single use. If they are dirty or breathing becomes difficult, the mask should be carefully discarded and replaced, the FDA said.
Transparent masks are also an option
This would certainly apply to care in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities and within mixed-generation families. Now it looks like there may be a new option, Tucci said, because the study found that “intelligibility is better with surgical masks”.
“It is worth emphasizing to the public that if they are having difficulty communicating – for example, if they have a close relative or friend who has difficulty hearing – it would be worth purchasing surgical masks or masks with a transparent panel to see if this helps “, she said.
Useful Tips
There are also many other ways to improve communication.
First, try to avoid loud background noise. Turn off television, music and other distractions or move to a quieter area.
That means slowing down your speech, even when you’re excited or upset.
Talk face to face. Another good technique is to “face the communication partner directly,” said Fares. This ensures that the “communicator has the receiver’s attention while nothing blocks the visual field between them”.
Use non-verbal cues. This is critical for clear communication, experts said.
The masks cover only the middle and lower parts of the face, said Fares, so speakers can use their eyebrows, eyes and cheeks to improve understanding.
“For example, the emotion of happiness is usually felt when the corners of the lips are raised. With facial masks, happiness can be captured on the face by focusing on the wrinkles at the edge of the eyes,” said Fares. “Eyebrows, specifically, have been shown to help transmit emotional expression and non-verbal communication.”
Take sadness, for example. People tend to raise the inner corners of their eyebrows, with drooping eyelids, explained Fares.
“The expression of anger emphasizes the downward and central movement of the eyebrows and the bright eyes. The expressions of surprise and shock, however, are usually formed by raised eyebrows,” he said.
Body movement it can also facilitate communication. Nod your head, lift a finger to ask for a chance to speak, or lean in to show engagement. Watch the other person carefully for signs of confusion, such as a lack of eye contact or a bent body.
Don’t be afraid to stop and ask the other person if they are having problems. Make sure they understand the conversation, the NIDCD recommends. It is also normal to write something or use a text chat application on a smartphone to facilitate communications.
Don’t take off your masks. Whatever you do, just don’t do it, experts say.
“First, the emphasis must be placed on the effectiveness of the masks to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Toscano. “Our study suggests that concerns about speech communication alone do not provide a compelling reason for not wearing a mask in everyday environments.”