The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) has posted a new article on its website about the challenges posed by pandemic-related face coverings.
The posting by NIDCD Director Debara L. Tucci acknowledges that masks tend to obscure the mouth and other facial features that deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals rely on for communication, as well as making the sound of speech potentially more distorted.
She suggests the use of clear face masks, if available, and offers tips for “Improving Communication When Wearing a Face Mask,” which include turning down background volume, communicating via writing tools or a talk-to-text app, or bringing a friend/family member during important meetings to help discern speech.
To read the article in full, please click here.
Source: NIDCD
Image: NIDCD
