Face masks can be devastating for people with hearing loss

Abstract

The covid-19 pandemic has literally changed the face of medical care: clinicians, nurses, other staff, and patients are all wearing masks.We are trying to communicate while keeping the required distance apart.With masks covering the faces around us, we are unable to access the facial expressions and lip movements that are so vital to daily communication.Masking is challenging for everyone, but it is especially difficult for people with hearing loss.Here we focus on how masks undermine speech communication for patients with hearing loss in medical care settings.Masks also create enormous challenges for members of the Deaf community who use sign language, clinicians with hearing loss, and other populations.