Masks makes it difficult to hear.. in more than ways than one!

The use of masks has become common practice during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, and this will probably continue for many months.

This of course is something rather challenging to get used to under normal circumstances – but imagine being hearing impaired and using hearing aids – this has proven to be a challenge worldwide!

The hearing impaired population face many difficulties with the use of masks and we will be sharing some tips with you to make life easier with masks!

PROBLEM 1: Masks with elastic or straps around the ears can cause hearing instruments to fit too loosely and even cause them to get lost or simply be uncomfortable.

Solution:

There are a few clever ways to solve this!

• Use a mask that wraps around your head and not your ears
• Do your hair in a bun or 2 buns and wrap the elastic around the buns
• Attach a button on a headband or a cap and hook the elastic around the button
• Attach a button to your glasses an hook the mask elastics around the buttons
• Use an ear saver (see below)

We also have these available at the practice for patients – free of charge:

How to use them?

Problem 2:  Masks filter and attenuate high frequency sounds (2000Hz-7000Hz between 3 and 12dB! They also block nonverbal and visual cues that the listener uses to decipher what is being said.

Solution:

• Ask your audiologist to add a custom mask program setting on your instruments
• Use hearing aids with a built in mask mode setting
• Try to speak up and speak as  slowly and clearly as much as possible.
• Reduce background noise as much as possible
• Move to a quiet location
• Use your hearing aids
• If needs be, set your hearing aid louder
• Make use of a clear / see through mask
• Make use of a face shield
• Make use of an application that can translate speech into text in real time

KEEP SAFE!

Wierdapark – 012 653 3830

Saxby Medicross – 087 944 1803

Benoni – Northmead – 011 425 0171

yolande@yvdwaudiology.co.za