Best face masks to speak clearly

Best face masks to speak clearly

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“Excuse me, what was that again?” This is a phrase I repeat a lot these days.

My hearing is not that bad. So if I struggle to understand others during the pandemic, what should it be like for elderly grandparents and others with hearing loss, especially with so many people wearing double masks?

A new study published in PLOS One on Wednesday addressed the problem by comparing four ways of masking: use two different types of cloth masks, a surgical mask and an N95 mask, which filter 95% of the small virus particles. The study did not investigate double masking.
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“In the context of the pandemic, we were motivated to take a closer look at this issue, as there has been little research on how different types of masks affect speech,” said study author Joseph Toscano, an assistant professor of psychology and brain sciences. . sends the cognitive science program to Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

“In high levels of background noise, it is shown that the surgical mask least impedes speech recognition,” said Dr. Jawad Fares, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University of Chicago, said.

“The findings of the study are important in light of the current pandemic, as they recognize the communication challenges we face,” said Fares, who was not involved in the study.

Global issue

Statistics have shown that nearly 25% of people aged 65 to 74 and 50% of people over the age of 75 in the United States have turned off hearing loss – where they do not have a vacuum cleaner, barking dog or even the cry of a baby would not be able to hear.
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And it’s not just the elderly. Worldwide, about 466 million people have hearing loss – 34 million are children, according to the World Health Organization. One in eight people in the United States aged 12 or older has some form of hearing loss in both ears.

Many people with hearing loss – and even some who do not – rely on lip-reading to follow conversations. This tool is naturally removed by using masks during the pandemic.

The good news is that when background noise was limited, as is typical of many everyday circumstances, the study found that cloth, surgery and N95 masks could transmit speech effectively, Toscano said.

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When the background noise was loud enough to affect the understanding of speech, “we found that a surgical mask works better than other masks for communication,” Toscano said.

“The finding that surgical masks cause less problems than cloth masks or N95 masks is interesting,” said TIDCI of NIDCD. “However, these (surgical masks) are not always available to the public, and the use of these masks has certainly been discouraged from interfering with the supply of medical facilities.”

Surgical masks

Masks used at surgical degrees by surgeons and other healthcare professionals are loose, disposable devices designed to help block droplets, splashes, sprays or large particle splashes that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria). reach your mouth and nose, ” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Medical-grade true masks are made from three layers of non-woven material that are usually made of plastic. The colored top layer of fabric is made of medical grade spunbond polypropylene, which is a resin polymer bound in a web-like structure.

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Surgical masks also have small, flexible wires to keep the mask on, and are often tied behind the head or tied with ear straps. Such masks are used only once. If they are contaminated or breathing becomes difficult, the mask should be carefully discarded and replaced, the FDA said.

Clear masks are also an option

The NIDCD and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that teachers and caregivers wear clear masks or cloth masks with a transparent plastic panel when interacting with young children learning to read, students learning new languages, or people with hearing loss or disabilities. .

This would certainly apply to care in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and within families of mixed genders. Now it appears that there may be a new option, Tucci said, because the study found that “is better understood with surgical masks.”

“It’s worth emphasizing to the public that it’s worthwhile to get surgical masks or masks with a transparent panel if they’ve struggling to communicate – for example if they have a close family member or friend who’s struggling to to hear it “. see if it’s useful, ‘she said.

Useful tips

There are also many other ways to improve communication.

First try to avoid loud background noise. Turn off the television, music and other distractions or move to a quieter environment.

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Modulate your voice so that your speech is intentionally clear and precise. This approach is just as easily understood with a mask on as when the mask was off, a separate new study published in Cognition found. To speak like that is much more understandable than casual or emotionally charged and hurried speech.
“Changing speech speed and vocal intensity is also helpful,” Fares said. He co-authored a study in December 2020 on coping strategies to facilitate communication with face masks.

This means that you slow down the pace of your speech, even if you are excited or upset.

Talk face to face. Another good technique is to ‘look directly at the communication partner’, Fares said. This ensures that the “communicator has the attention of the recipient, while nothing blocks the visual field between them.”

Use non-verbal cues. This is critical for clear communication, experts said.

Face masks cover only the middle and lower parts of the face, Fares said, so speakers can use their eyebrows, eyes and upper cheeks to enhance comprehension.

The study found that surgical masks were best for communication in harsher environments.

“The emotion of happiness, for example, is usually observed when the corners of the lips rise. With face masks, happiness can be captured on the face by focusing on the wrinkles at the edge of the eyes,” Fares said. “Eyebrows have been shown to specifically help convey emotional expression and non-verbal communication.”

Take sadness, for example. People tend to lift the inner corners of the eyebrows, with the eyelids loose, Fares explains.

“Expressions of anger emphasize the downward and central movement of eyebrows and the conspicuous eyes. However, the expressions of surprise and shock usually consist of raised eyebrows,” he said.

Body movement can also facilitate communication. Nodding in agreement, holding up a finger to get a chance to speak or leaning in to show engagement. Watch the other person closely for signs of confusion, such as lack of eye contact or sagging of the body.

Do not be afraid to stop and ask the other person if they are having problems. Make sure you understand the conversation, the NIDCD recommends. It is also OK to write something down or use a talk-to-text application on a smartphone to facilitate communication.

Do not remove your masks. Whatever you do, just do not, experts say.

“In the first place, the emphasis should be on the effectiveness of the masks to prevent the spread of the virus,” Toscano said. “Our study suggests that concerns about speech communication on their own do not provide a compelling reason not to wear a mask in the everyday environment.”

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