The Challenge of Wearing a Face Mask and Hearing Aids
If you are one of the millions of people that wear hearing aids, you may find it challenging to wear a face mask at the same time. With no end to the Covid-19 pandemic in sight, many establishments, counties, and even states are requiring patrons to wear face masks when they are inside a public building. For people that wear hearing aids, this can present a few challenges because it can be harder to understand others during a conversation, and the ear loops on a mask can tug on your hearing aids when you take the mask off. We have gathered some tips to help you with wearing a mask and communicating while wearing a mask.
Wearing Masks and Hearing Aids
If you wear hearing aids and need to wear a mask:
Make sure to put on and remove the mask carefully; this will prevent you from accidentally yanking your hearing aids out.
Instead of using a mask with elastic ear loops, a fabric tie may be a better choice. Fabric ties that you can tie behind your head can be loosened and won’t interfere with your hearing aids.
A mask holder is also a good choice because it holds the elastic ties back from your ears and connects behind your head.
Communicating While Wearing a Mask
If you or someone you know has a hearing impairment, you know that it can be a challenge to communicate during normal circumstances. If both people in the conversation are wearing masks, that adds a new challenge into the mix.
Take your time to speak, make sure you are clear, and the volume you speak at is loud enough to hear through the mask.
If you or the other person wears a hearing aid, make sure they are in your ears and turned on.
Rephrase statements that aren’t clearly understood.
Avoid conversing around background noise.
Don’t speak over each other and take turns when speaking.
Always face each other when speaking.
Conversing with Someone in a Medical Setting
If you are having a conversation with someone who has hearing loss and you are both wearing face masks, this presents a new challenge for both people.
When in a medical setting, such as a physician’s office, try to remember these tips:
Keep the background noise to a minimum
Speak slow and clear
Avoid shouting
Make sure the person who has hearing aids is wearing them, and they are working
Take turns speaking
Avoid talking while walking, but if you need to try to turn your head towards the other person when you are speaking
Do you know the last time you had a hearing exam? If you are scratching your head and wondering, then you probably should schedule an exam sooner rather than later. We have curbside or in-office appointments available for your comfort. Contact Sound Hearing Care at 864-881-1663.
Do you find it challenging wearing a face mask and hearing aids?
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