Masks are useful tools for preventing the spread of viral diseases, especially during a time of year when infectious diseases are spreading at alarming rates, but it is well known that they can occasionally make communication challenging. (At this stage in the epidemic, you’re likely accustomed to the awkward sensation of asking someone to repeat what they said three times to make sure you understood them correctly.)
So it’s significant that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has authorized Optrel’s N95 masks as the first masks with a clear window in front of the mouth (CDC). There are also other face masks with transparent windows, but this one is special because it’s an N95. (Experts advise using a high-quality, well-fitting face mask; an N95 or KN95 will be the most protective given the transmissibility of the extremely contagious omicron strains now in circulation.)
Knowing that it’s typically more challenging to understand what other people are saying while their faces are covered, the new Optrel N95 masks could go a long way in helping us communicate better this winter. According to Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, Ph.D., an audiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, masks make it difficult for us to lip-read.
According to Dr. Sydlowski, this has an impact on all of us even though the almost 38 million adults in the US who have hearing loss are more affected than those who do not have any hearing loss. We all rely on lip reading in some way, she says, “perhaps even without realizing it.” Since you can’t hear someone’s speech as well while they’re speaking to you in a noisy environment—like a very loud store—you naturally look at their face for hints.
For those who speak English as a second language or as a foreign language, lip reading, also known as speech reading, can be crucial.
Dr. Sydlowski notes that while lip reading is helpful for everyone, it’s especially important for some demographics, such as children who rely heavily on visual cues when communicating with others and the elderly who have been dealing with hearing loss for many years because it can get worse with age. Dr. Sydlowski explains that wearing masks throughout the pandemic has caused special difficulties for those who have hearing loss: “I work with people with hearing loss on a daily basis, and the single most frequent criticism I’ve had for the last two years is, ‘These dang masks.'” (If you can relate to this because you’ve had trouble communicating with persons wearing masks, Dr. Sydlowski suggests getting your hearing checked out.
This is why having a transparent mask on hand, like the N95 from Optrel, could be quite beneficial for people in specific professions, such as teachers or daycare workers who work with children, those who work in nursing homes, and anyone who works in a medical setting.
If you know you’ll be interacting with someone with hearing loss frequently, such as a coworker or family member, even if you don’t work in one of the aforementioned locations, it’s a good idea to purchase a protective mask with a clear window. Nevertheless, regardless of whether you are aware that someone has hearing loss, Dr. Sydlowski advises utilizing the Optrel masks in public places because it can frequently be challenging to detect when someone is hard of hearing. She says, “Hearing loss is invisible. “You might not even be aware that the person you are speaking to has hearing loss. Many people make valiant efforts to make up for the gaps and compensate. They might not always state that they have hearing loss.
Therefore, while those in occupations that require public interaction should think about wearing a mask with a transparent window, you should also consider switching to the Optrel masks if you already spend a lot of time speaking with people in person, regardless of the setting.
Dr. Sydlowski asserts that “we can’t undervalue the importance of being able to rely on excellent communication.” “Until you don’t have it, you don’t think about it.” Helping people think about this a little less by just switching up masks would be considerate and inclusive.
Masks are useful tools for preventing the spread of viral diseases, especially during a time of year when infectious diseases are spreading at alarming rates, but it is well known that they can occasionally make communication challenging. (At this stage in the epidemic, you’re likely accustomed to the awkward sensation of asking someone to repeat what they said three times to make sure you understood them correctly.)
So it’s significant that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has authorized Optrel’s N95 masks as the first masks with a clear window in front of the mouth (CDC). There are also other face masks with transparent windows, but this one is special because it’s an N95. (Experts advise using a high-quality, well-fitting face mask; an N95 or KN95 will be the most protective given the transmissibility of the extremely contagious omicron strains now in circulation.)
Knowing that it’s typically more challenging to understand what other people are saying while their faces are covered, the new Optrel N95 masks could go a long way in helping us communicate better this winter. According to Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, Ph.D., an audiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, masks make it difficult for us to lip-read.
According to Dr. Sydlowski, this has an impact on all of us even though the almost 38 million adults in the US who have hearing loss are more affected than those who do not have any hearing loss. We all rely on lip reading in some way, she says, “perhaps even without realizing it.” Since you can’t hear someone’s speech as well while they’re speaking to you in a noisy environment—like a very loud store—you naturally look at their face for hints.
For those who speak English as a second language or as a foreign language, lip reading, also known as speech reading, can be crucial.
Dr. Sydlowski notes that while lip reading is helpful for everyone, it’s especially important for some demographics, such as children who rely heavily on visual cues when communicating with others and the elderly who have been dealing with hearing loss for many years because it can get worse with age. Dr. Sydlowski explains that wearing masks throughout the pandemic has caused special difficulties for those who have hearing loss: “I work with people with hearing loss on a daily basis, and the single most frequent criticism I’ve had for the last two years is, ‘These dang masks.'” (If you can relate to this because you’ve had trouble communicating with persons wearing masks, Dr. Sydlowski suggests getting your hearing checked out.
This is why having a transparent mask on hand, like the N95 from Optrel, could be quite beneficial for people in specific professions, such as teachers or daycare workers who work with children, those who work in nursing homes, and anyone who works in a medical setting.
If you know you’ll be interacting with someone with hearing loss frequently, such as a coworker or family member, even if you don’t work in one of the aforementioned locations, it’s a good idea to purchase a protective mask with a clear window. Nevertheless, regardless of whether you are aware that someone has hearing loss, Dr. Sydlowski advises utilizing the Optrel masks in public places because it can frequently be challenging to detect when someone is hard of hearing. She says, “Hearing loss is invisible. “You might not even be aware that the person you are speaking to has hearing loss. Many people make valiant efforts to make up for the gaps and compensate. They might not always state that they have hearing loss.
Therefore, while those in occupations that require public interaction should think about wearing a mask with a transparent window, you should also consider switching to the Optrel masks if you already spend a lot of time speaking with people in person, regardless of the setting.
Dr. Sydlowski asserts that “we can’t undervalue the importance of being able to rely on excellent communication.” “Until you don’t have it, you don’t think about it.” Helping people think about this a little less by just switching up masks would be considerate and inclusive.
