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Even people with normal hearing may have trouble hearing all the words a person wearing a mask is saying,according to Karen Pastell at Prairieland Audiology in Joliet. Combine that with social distancing and communication becomes even more hampered, she added. Those challenges are greater in people with hearing loss, she said. "Part of the problem is reduction in sound quality and clarity," Pastell said. "But also many people with hearing loss, depending on the severity of loss, rely on visual cues to enhance their listening and they get their information from watching mouths or facial expressions. That's now taken away from them with the masks." Family and friends of people with hearing disabilities might consider wearing a clear window surgical mask or make one of their own, such as someone made for Pastell, since the brand she prefers is currently out of stock, she said. People who wear hearing aids need to be extra careful when removing masks, especially masks with elastic that fits over the ears to hold the mask in place. "Sometimes the hearing aid goes flying," Pastell said. "I know a couple of people who have lost their hearing aids."
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Although many people are feeling stressed due to the pandemic, people who have tinnitus (a ringing in the ears that may be associated with hearing loss) may find their symptoms are exacerbated with stress, making communication even more difficult, Pastell said. Fatigue is another tinnitus trigger, Pastell said. Coping strategies include practicing relaxation and advocating for oneself when communicating with others, she said. Additional helps include technology that converts spoken words to text or simply asking the person speaking to you to write it down, Pastell said. When speaking to a person with hearing loss, Pastell offered the following tips:
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Get the listener’s attention before you speak. Saying the person’s name and waiting for a response can greatly decrease the need for repetitions. Speak clearly and at a slow/normal rate. Do not talk unusually slow or exaggerated. Pausing between sentences and key words or phrases can also be helpful. This is called “clear speech." Do not shout. Shouting actually distorts the signal in the listener’s ears. Be sure the listener has a clear view of your face so that facial expressions and lip movements are visible. Rephrase rather than offering a repetition. Quite often, the same one or two words in a sentence will continue to be misheard with each repetition. Rephrasing eliminates many frustrations. Avoid conversation if the TV or radio is playing, the dishwasher is running, and so on. Noisy distractions can create difficult listening situations even for those with normal hearing. Move to a quieter spot or turn off the noise distractions. Remain patient, positive and relaxed. Communication can be difficult sometimes. When communication partners become impatient, negative and tense, communication will become more difficult. When in doubt, ask the person with hearing loss for suggestions of ways to be better understood. For more information, contact Karen Pastell at at 815-744-5661 or visit our website at prairielandaudiology.com. (All photos)