Julie Raney is a certified and licensed audiologist. She has a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s Degree in Audiology from Idaho State University. She has worked as a clinical audiologist in Colorado since 2005. She specializes in hearing amplification for adults and delivers her services in both English and Sign Language.

Why Do Masks Make It Harder to Hear?

If you have a hearing loss, you don’t just rely on sound to hear what’s being said. You also use body language, facial expressions, and even lip reading to follow conversations. Since a mask covers so much of the face, it makes it much harder for you to use these other cues to help you hear.

Masks can also make it harder to hear by:

Failing to fit comfortably over certain hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Muffling the sound of the speaker’s voice.
Making people shout, which distorts the sound and makes it harder to understand.

How to Make Your Face Mask More Comfortable

Do you wear a Behind-the-Ear or Receiver-in-Canal hearing aid? Maybe you have a cochlear implant to help you hear. These devices all have components that sit behind the ear. Face masks with ear loops can be uncomfortable to wear with these hearing aids, but it’s easy to modify your mask. Here are some tips for making your mask more comfortable:

Use a button extender for your mask. You can put the ear loops around the buttons, and place the extender around the back of your head to make your mask more comfortable.
Use hair clips to secure the ear loops to your head rather than placing them behind your ears.
Get a mask with 4 ties that secure in the back rather than a mask with ear loops.

Why Does Physical Distancing Make It Harder to Hear?

Physical distancing can also make it harder to hear, and staying distant creates new challenges for people with hearing loss. It’s already hard to follow conversations or hear what people are saying when they’re standing right next to you. When they stand 6 feet away, it can feel even more difficult to hear what’s being said. Physical distancing makes it harder to hear because:

The person standing 6 feet away from you is still speaking at a normal volume, and the sound doesn’t carry very far.
Background noises seem closer when the sound you want to hear is further away. Your brain may start paying more attention to these background noises instead of focusing on the conversation you’re trying to hear.
When we’re 6 feet away from the person we’re talking to, we can’t lean in, turn our good ear towards them, or use the other coping methods we may use when they’re standing close to us.
The distance makes it harder to see their facial expression, read their lips, or pick up on the emotional tones in their voice.

Tips for Better Communication with Face Masks and Distancing

There are a few things you can do for better communication while wearing a face mask or social distancing. Try them out today and find out which ones work for you.

Don’t start talking until you’re sure you have your friend’s attention.
Face each other directly, don’t speak facing a different direction.
Make sure you can see each other’s faces clearly, and that there’s not objects blocking your view of your friend’s face.
Have your conversation in a quiet spot, away from background noise.
Talk a bit louder so that your voice carries across the distance, but don’t yell. Shouting can distort the sound and make it difficult to understand speech.
Feel free to talk with your hands, and use exaggerated body language or gestures to help get your point across.

Clear communication is key, so whether you’re wearing a mask, standing 6 feet apart, or both, always ask your conversation partner if they’ve heard you. If no, rephrase what you’ve said, or write it down.

Do You Have Hearing Loss?

Has wearing a face mask made you realize you have a hearing loss? Schedule an appointment for a hearing test with us. If a hearing loss is detected, we can help you find the best treatment. Contact us today to learn how hearing aids can make it easier to communicate with face masks.