Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults Using Hearing aid/s: Indian Scenario.

The present study explored the impact of COVID-19 on hearing health and problems faced by older adults using hearing aid/s. Fifty older adults in the age range of 55-95 years were selected for the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Therefore, the developed questionnaire was administered to them. Statistical analysis was performed for all the responses achieved. Closure of hearing aid companies and audiological centers was found to have a negative impact on availing audiological services. Likewise, a huge hike in the price of these services made it impossible for people to afford them. Despite the availability of tele-audiology, older adults were not able to make the best use of it due to numerous reasons. We sought to explore patients' perceptions to break down these barriers by enhancing the quality of tele-audiology, home visits, and remote services. Therefore, the present report may facilitate in planning and implementation of policies related to audiological services, especially during times of crisis, which may help strengthen our hearing health care system. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-022-03209-8.

Hearing Happiness: Deafness Cures in History by Jaipreet Virdi (review)

The book begins with bacterial meningitis, an infection the author contracted in early childhood that left her with "profound-to-severe" hearing loss (Virdi, 7). Not only do we see her as a scholar in the archive, requesting permission to try a Victorian ear trumpet, we also see her as a child with her d/Deaf classmates, being fitted for hearing aids "as we squirmed and giggled when the wet silicone mold was injected into our ears," and as an adult, experiencing difficulty switching from analog to digital hearing aids (258). When Virdi's first pair of behindthe-ear hearing aids make her six-year-old ears stick out, and her hair "tied in a long braid as per the Sikh tradition, did little to disguise them," it is the hearing aids, not the braid, that provoke "snickers, puzzled glances, and finger-pointing from younger children" (18).

ATA2023Annual Conference & ExpoMarch 4–6, 2023San Antonio, Texas

The results suggest that male patients are 12% less likely than females to use telehealth;patients aged 18-44 are 32% more likely to use telehealth than the age group of 65+. For patients in household with between 3 and 10 members, income is significantly (p-value <0.01) associated patients using telehealth across poverty levels B Conclusions: b COVID-19 magnified the burden of telehealth inequities in the low-income communities. Of 13,933 eligible patients, 6,843 (49.1%) patients scheduled a visit, with higher success secondary to reaching the patient within 72 hours post-discharge. B Classification of Research: b Quality Improvement B Method: b Randomized Controlled Trial B Results: b 294 patients with recent SI-A were randomized to either: control (treatment as usual, n = 98), patient alert (patient receives a text message reminder to schedule a follow-up, n = 95), or clinician alert (clinician receives an email alert to complete a check-in call with the at-risk, n = 101). Graph: tmj.2023.29089.s figure1.jpg "In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Renal Physicians Association and the University of Virginia School of Medicine and School of Nursing is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.". [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Telemedicine & e-Health is the property of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Phase 1 of collaborative action around the implementation of virtual hearing aid care: Development of a clinical practice guideline.

RATIONALE: There is a growing demand for comprehensive, evidence-based, and accessible clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to address virtual service delivery. This demand was particularly evident within the field of hearing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, when providers were faced with an immediate need to offer services at a distance. Considering the recent advancement in information and communication technologies, the slow uptake of virtual care, and the lack of knowledge tools to support clinical integration in hearing healthcare, a Knowledge-to-Action Framework was used to address the virtual care delivery research-to-practice gap. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This paper outlines the development of a CPG specific to provider-directed virtual hearing aid care. Clinical integration of the guideline took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and in alignment with an umbrella project aimed at implementing and evaluating virtual hearing aid care incorporating many different stakeholders. METHOD: Evidence from two systematic literature reviews guided the CPG development. Collaborative actions around knowledge creation resulted in the development of a draft CPG (v1.9) and the mobilisation of the guideline into participating clinical sites. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Literature review findings are discussed along with the co-creation process that included 13 team members, from various research and clinical backgrounds, who participated in the writing, revising, and finalising of the draft version of the guideline.

Phase 2 of collaborative action around the implementation of virtual hearing aid care: Evaluation of a clinical practice guideline.

RATIONALE: Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a clinical practice guideline (CPG) around virtual hearing aid practices was developed to fill a knowledge gap within the field of audiology. Details outlining the development and mobilization of this draft guideline were outlined as Phase 1 (described in a paired paper). AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study describes Phase 2 of this project as part of the Knowledge-to-Action Framework, including an evaluation of the methodological quality of the guideline and the resulting tailored version of the document (v2.0). METHOD: The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument was used to assess methodological quality and to guide revisions. Twenty-two clinicians, from a variety of clinical backgrounds, participated in the evaluation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Findings reported across six domains suggest high mean scores, ranging from 78% to 81%, in order of scope and purpose (highest rated), stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, applicability, clarity of presentation, and editorial independence. Specific recommendations made by in international co-creation team during the evaluation informed the final version of the CPG. Future development and evaluation efforts should aim to include greater representation from nontraditional practice contexts to strengthen global applicability.

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF LO-FI LOW-LOAD HEARING AIDS MODULE WITH PIEZO FILM AND CONDUCTIVE POLYMER

We fabricated a capacitor-type actuator with laminated conductive polymer on both sides of the piezoelectric film and evaluated basic acoustic characteristics. This actuator is applied to our new 'Auditory AR (Augmented Reality) device' which enables users to hear both real and virtual sound information. We carried out measurements of those actuator-characteristics in a cylindrical frame with constant curvature, the same with our AR device. The AC (Alternating Current) amplification characteristics simply increase quasi-linearly within the audio band, and saturate at about 10 kHz, near the upper limit of audio frequency. We applied the autocorrelation analysis method to evaluate the verbal speech transmission efficiency, without human examinee, because of the global pandemic of the COVID-19, and successfully estimated the transmission clarity under the "Virus-free" circumstances. We developed a 'vector effective duration model' to evaluate users' verbal cognitive clarity, only with physical measurement without human subjects. In the low-frequency band below 1 kHz and in the ultra-high-frequency band above 10 kHz, beyond auditory bands, the frame-mounted actuator shows conspicuous attenuation. In the mid-frequency band between 1 kHz and 10 kHz, i.e., higher area of the audio band, selectively amplified frequency components are observed. This mid-frequency band primarily conveys the semantic content of spoken language. This area is the band for "whispering". Our actuator amplifies this "whispering band" in harmonic ways effectively and is suitable for a "Lo-Fi auditory module" that cuts off unnecessary low- and high-frequency bands;auditory organs are mostly exhausted with physical impacts conveyed by those low-frequency components, and they transmit more emotional information than verbal meanings. Users can use this module all day long without auditory fatigue. Renewals in hearing aids and welfare technologies are expected. © International Institute of Acoustics and Vibration (IIAV), 2022.

Development of mHealth-Apps for Hearing Aids – Requirements and Assessments of a First Prototype

An aging of the working population is expected. Consequently, age-related impairments of sensory functions (e.g., hearing impairment) will become more prominent. An increase of people with hearing impairment can already be observed today. In the last years, the importance of digitalization has increased constantly. This was further driven by the COVID19-pandemic. Therefore, the question whether mHealth-apps could be able to improve the first start experience of possible new hearing aid users and how such an app should be designed has continuously become more important. Former research showed that participants rated possible hearing app-functions significantly different. The aim of the presented study was to verify these results and to extend it with additional functions. Furthermore, possible future users should assess first paper-based prototypes. Therefore, an exploratory online study was conducted. Overall, the sample consists of 41 participants (29 female;19–58 years old). 18 of them were subjectively at least mild hearing impaired. The results of the study show that participants rated possible functions and the different hearing app-prototypes significantly different. Interestingly, effects of hearing impairment and gender can be shown. Overall, the results can improve the development of a new mHealth-app to support new users of hearing aids. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Collaborative Care for Depression in Older Adults

A collaboration between AFP and the Lown Institute promotes a vision of delivering health care that is based on the evidence, balanced in its approach, and focused on the patient.

The effects of covid-19 pandemic on children with hearing aids

Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, especially children experienced adverse effects due to social isolation and lack of physical activity and peer communication. Communication and interaction and also special education are very critical for especially children with special needs, such as hearing-impaired children. The main objective of this study is to reveal the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with hearing aids. Method: In this current study, there were 22 children (6F,16M) with hearing aid with at least one year of hearing aid experience. The mean age was 9,18 (±2.7). Besides the demographic data form, The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref Form (WHOQOL-BREF), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and Spence Children's Anxiety Scale for questionnaires were used to reveal hearing aid usage profile. Results: Regarding the hearing-aid care, ear-mold replacement time and frequency of routine audiological assessment were different before and after pandemic (p >0,05) According to the sub-scales of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale, there were significant correlations between separation anxiety and physical health (Spearman rho=.0.517;p= 0.014;p<0,05);physical health and obsessive-compulsive subscales (Spearman rho =.-477;p= 0.025, p<0,05). Even though these children's perceived quality of life did not change after the pandemic, their social-anxiety levels were increased, especially related to hearing aid follow-ups. Conclusion: Children's social anxiety levels using hearing aids are increasing in the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to social isolation, problems occurred in the routine controls of children with hearing aids. Also, they had problems such as attending and understanding online courses. These children need more special care to catch up with their peers. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Amaç: COVID-19 pandemi sürecinde çocuklar sosyal izolasyon, fiziksel aktivite kısıtlılığı ve akran iletişimi açısından olumsuz etkiler yaşamışlardır. Akranlarıyla iletişim ve etkileşimin yanısıra özel eğitim, özellikle işitme engelli çocuklar gibi özel ihtiyaçları olan çocuklar için çok önemlidir. Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, COVID-19 pandemisinin işitme cihazı kullanan çocuklar üzerindeki etkisini ortaya çıkarmaktır. Yöntem: Bu çalışmaya, en az bir yıllık işitme cihazı deneyimine sahip olan 22 çocuk (6K,16E) katılmıştır. Ortalama yaş 9,18 (±2.7) idi. Demografik veri formunun yanı sıra Uluslararası Íşitme Cihazları Envanteri (IOI-HA), Dünya Sağlık Örgütü Yaşam Kalitesi-Bref Formu (WHOQOL-BREF), Coronavirüs Anksiyete Ölçeği ve Spence Çocuklar Íçin Kaygı Ölçeği anketleri kullanıldı. Bulgular: Íşitme cihazının bakımı ile wswswswilgili olarak, kulak kalıbı değiştirme sıklığı ve rutin odyolojik değerlendirme sıklığı pandemi öncesi ve sonrası önemli oranda değişmiştir (p >0,05). Spence Çocuklar Íçin Kaygı Ölçeği'nin alt boyutlarına göre ayrılık kaygısı ile fiziksel sağlık arasında (Spearman rho=.0.517;p= 0.014;p< 0,05);fiziksel sağlık ve obsesif-kompulsif (Spearman rho =.-477;p= 0.025,p< 0,05) alt boyutları arasında anlamlı korelasyonlar elde edilmiştir. Bu çocukların pandemi sonrası yaşam kaliteleri değişmese de özellikle işitme cihazı için rutin kontrol sürelerinin uzamasına bağlı olarak sosyal kaygı düzeyleri yükselmiştir. Sonuç: COVID-19 pandemisinde işitme cihazı kullanan çocukların sosyal kaygı düzeyleri artmaktadır. Sosyal izolasyon nedeniyle işitme cihazlı çocukların rutin kontrollerinde sorunlar yaşanmaktadır. Ek olarak işitme cihazlı çocuklar çevrimiçi derslere katılma ve dersi takip etmede güçlük gibi sorunlar da yaşamaktadır. Bu çocukların yaşıtlarına yetişmek için daha fazla özel bakıma ihtiyaçları vardır. (Turkish) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Turkish Journal of Audiology & Hearing Research (TJAHR) is the property of BAYT Ltd. Co and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Is a hybrid of online and face-to-face services feasible for audiological rehabilitation post COVID-19? Findings from three public health patients.

BACKGROUND:  The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has pushed many audiologists to incorporate remote service delivery methods to adhere to mandatory health and safety protocols. The use of tele-audiology for audiological rehabilitation may provide a sustainable, cost-effective modality to suit the existing need, particularly in low-resourced countries. OBJECTIVES:  This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a hybrid tele-rehabilitation programme in a South African public health context. An online auditory training (AT) programme was used to determine (1) compliance, (2) clinical benefit, (3) participant experience and (4) costs. METHOD:  A convergent mixed methods design with a feasibility approach was utilised. Data collection was done through questionnaires, in-booth assessments, online AT, and face-to-face interviewing. Participants undertook online AT over 4 weeks. For pre- and post-online AT, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), QuickSIN, entrance and exit questionnaires, interviews and a system usability scale were administered. RESULTS:  Key findings of this study included (1) a high compliance rate (84.82%) with minimal clinician contact time at 3 h 25 min over 5-6-weeks; (2) improvement in perceived hearing aid (HA) benefit, and improvement in listening skills; (3) reported positive experiences; and (4) minimal programme costs at an average of R1350.00 per participant. CONCLUSION:  The results showed positive indicators that the use of hybrid tele-rehabilitative strategies may provide a viable alternative to the traditional face-to-face modality. The hybrid approach showed clinical benefits, cost-effectiveness, minimal contact time as well as COVID-19 compliance. Further large-scale research is still needed.

Auditory Perceptual Exercises in Adults Adapting to the Use of Hearing Aids.

Older adults with age-related hearing loss often use hearing aids (HAs) to compensate. However, certain challenges in speech perception, especially in noise still exist, despite today's HA technology. The current study presents an evaluation of a home-based auditory exercises program that can be used during the adaptation process for HA use. The home-based program was developed at a time when telemedicine became prominent in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 53 older adults with age-related symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss. They were divided into three groups depending on their experience using HAs. Group 1: Experienced users (participants who used bilateral HAs for at least 2 years). Group 2: New users (participants who were fitted with bilateral HAs for the first time). Group 3: Non-users. These three groups underwent auditory exercises for 3 weeks. The auditory tasks included auditory detection, auditory discrimination, and auditory identification, as well as comprehension with basic (syllables) and more complex (sentences) stimuli, presented in quiet and in noisy listening conditions. All participants completed self-assessment questionnaires before and after the auditory exercises program and underwent a cognitive test at the end. Self-assessed improvements in hearing ability were observed across the HA users groups, with significant changes described by new users. Overall, speech perception in noise was poorer than in quiet. Speech perception accuracy was poorer in the non-users group compared to the users in all tasks. In sessions where stimuli were presented in quiet, similar performance was observed among new and experienced uses. New users performed significantly better than non-users in all speech in noise tasks; however, compared to the experienced users, performance differences depended on task difficulty. The findings indicate that HA users, even new users, had better perceptual performance than their peers who did not receive hearing aids.

Blended learning model incorporating online learning for a competency-focused, work-based learning (WBL) programme – allied healthcare case-study

Purpose>This study investigates a blended learning model which incorporates online learning for a competency-focused, work-based learning (WBL) programme within allied healthcare. The case-study is centred on hearing aid audiology.Design/methodology/approach>The study evaluated the feedback received through a tripartite group of stakeholders (learners, academic staff and employers).Findings>Results showed that although there was universal support for blended learning, incorporating online learning, each stakeholder contributed different perspectives. The authors identified that in terms of curriculum design, a comprehensive analysis of the holistic perspective across all stakeholders is essential to ascertain the suitability of this learning mode for WBL. The study may provide the basis of a preparatory framework for the development of a generic, competency-focused model that can be applied across allied healthcare WBL programmes.Originality/value>Although previous studies of WBL have been reported, to the knowledge of the authors, there is no current reference in the literature to studies that examine thematic areas relevant to all three stakeholders across a programme of this nature in hearing aid audiology.

Remote hearing aid renewal using pre-existing audiograms during the covid-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, many patients cancelled their scheduled hearing aid renewal. We offered to send them new hearing aids programmed according to the audiometric data on file. In this study we compared remote hearing aid renewal to a conventional renewal with a recent audiogram based on scores from the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire. We also examined the need for a physical visit for hearing aid adjustment in the remote group and analysed the accuracy of the pre-existing audiogram correction method using data from the control group. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. STUDY SAMPLE: 51 patients who underwent remote hearing aid renewal and 22 control patients who received office-based hearing aid renewal. RESULTS: IOI-HA scores were lower in the remote fitted group, but comparison with data from a Swedish nationwide database had no clinically significant differences. A follow-up physical appointment was required in only 20% of the remote group. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the pure tone averages of the corrected former audiogram and measured audiogram was high. CONCLUSIONS: Remote hearing aid renewal using existing audiometric data is feasible, and most physical visits can be avoided.

EHealth and Its Role in Supporting Audiological Rehabilitation: Patient Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators of Using a Personal Hearing Support System With Mobile Application as Part of the EVOTION Study.

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss is a major public health challenge. Audiology services need to utilise a range of rehabilitative services and maximise innovative practice afforded by technology to actively promote personalized, participatory, preventative and predictive care if they are to cope with the social and economic burden placed on the population by the rapidly rising prevalence of hearing loss. Digital interventions and teleaudiology could be a key part of providing high quality, cost-effective, patient-centred management. There is currently very limited evidence that assesses the hearing impaired patient perspective on the acceptance and usability of this type of technology. AIM: This study aims to identify patient perceptions of the use of a hearing support system including a mobile smartphone app when used with Bluetooth-connected hearing aids across the everyday life of users, as part of the EVOTION project. METHODS: We applied a questionnaire to 564 participants in three countries across Europe and analysed the following topics: connectivity, hearing aid controls, instructional videos, audiological tests and auditory training. KEY FINDINGS: Older users were just as satisfied as younger users when operating this type of technology. Technical problems such as Bluetooth connectivity need to be minimised as this issue is highly critical for user satisfaction, engagement and uptake. A system that promotes user-controllability of hearing aids that is more accessible and easier to use is highly valued. Participants are happy to utilise monitoring tests and auditory training on a mobile phone out of the clinic but in order to have value the test battery needs to be relevant and tailored to each user, easy to understand and use. Such functions can elicit a negative as well as positive experience for each user. CONCLUSION: Older and younger adults can utilise an eHealth mobile app to complement their rehabilitation and health care. If the technology works well, is tailored to the individual and in-depth personalised guidance and support is provided, it could assist maximisation of hearing aid uptake, promotion of self-management and improving outcomes.

Relationship-centered consultation skills for audiologists: Remote and in-person care

To compound the problem of low uptake of hearing aids, recent data suggest untreated hearing loss is linked to several other conditions that erode a person's overall quality of life, especially as they age. One popular approach geared to better meet the needs of persons with hearing loss is to practice patient-centered care. Something that is easy to talk about (ask any audiologist and they say that they do it) but challenging to implement. Patient-centered care might seem like a recent advance, but the term has been around for more than 30 years. Relationship-centered communication acknowledges the clinician's expertise and judgment, while respecting the person's preferences, perspectives, and ultimately his or her ability to decide what intervention is best. Recently, Wallhagen, Strawbridge, and Tremblay (2021) proposed that audiologists should work within the 4M's framework. The 4M's framework suggests that what Matters is relationship-centered communication, and it needs to be combined with being mindful of Medication that might impact the individual's overall wellbeing and communication ability, along with Mobility (maintaining overall daily physical functioning) and Mentation (sustaining good cognitive and emotional health). The 4M's framework reminds us that hearing loss is not independent of other health conditions and the ability to capture the full totality of the individual's situation is built on a foundation of holistic, empathic communication. This book intends to provide some practical guidance, based on scientific principles, around this foundation of holistic communication. Furthermore, it shows that relationship-centered communication is not confined to in-person visits;that strong professional relationships can be forged in the virtual world-something that should interest all stakeholders as we move into the post-COVID era of tele-audiology and remote care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Increasing Pediatric Audiology Services via Telehealth.

Telehealth as a means to deliver health care services has been used by physicians for many years, but the use of telehealth in audiology, specifically in pediatrics, has been minimal. Barriers such as licensure, reimbursement, technology, and equipment have been cited as reasons for audiologists not participating in telehealth. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created the need for telehealth services to be widely used to safely increase access to healthcare, and emergent orders helped reduce previous barriers so that audiologists could participate in telehealth service delivery. This article details three cases where audiologists delivered telehealth services to children. These case studies demonstrate portions of the Division of Audiology Telehealth Program of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and how they increased access to hearing healthcare in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management of Auditory Processing Difficulties Virtually: A Case Study.

Difficulty hearing in the presence of background noise is a common complaint heard by audiologists. This can be accompanied by additional difficulty in classrooms and other difficult listening situations. This was recently exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shutdowns and the accompanying mask usage and virtual meetings. This article describes one such patient seen during the recent shutdown. This patient reported difficulty hearing during her college coursework for her music performance major. She was an established otology patient with an extensive middle ear history including multiple surgeries. During the shutdown, she virtually consulted with the auditory processing disorders clinic at the recommendation of her otologist to discuss her college-related difficulty and pursue educational accommodations. Challenges and solutions for seeing this patient and other, similar patients virtually are discussed as well as a review of how this patient proceeded and how the knowledge gained from this patient could apply to others with similar concerns.

The Use of Same-Day Hearing Aid Fitting with Telehealth Follow-up Care: A Case Study of a Veteran Presenting with Tinnitus and Auditory Processing Disorder Symptoms.

Providing same-day hearing aid fitting appointments to patients being seen in an audiology clinic for an audiometric evaluation may help decrease clinic wait times and reduce the need for future in-person appointments. Prior to 2020, the Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare System did not allow hearing aid manufacturers to provide functional demonstration (demo) hearing aids to VA audiology clinics. Due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) pandemic, this rule was changed to minimize the number of required in-person VA audiology appointments. The audiology clinic at the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System developed a hearing aid fitting protocol using demo hearing aids to provide same-day hearing aid fitting appointments. This case study pertains to a female Veteran who presented to the clinic with complaints of decreased hearing and bothersome tinnitus. The patient completed a comprehensive audiometric evaluation, auditory processing disorder screening, hearing aid evaluation, and hearing aid fitting in the clinic. All follow-up appointments were scheduled to be completed via telehealth. The initial findings in this case study indicate that same-day hearing aid fittings can be successful for some patients. Future telehealth follow-up appointments will determine this patient's level of success using hearing aid-related outcome measures.

The impact of face masks on the communication of adults with hearing loss during COVID-19 in a clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of surgical masks and face shields on speech intelligibility of adults with moderate to severe hearing loss. DESIGN: This study measured speech tracking scores in quiet for life speech in three different conditions: without a mask, with a surgical mask and with a face shield. Acoustic effects of the masks and face shields on the speech signal were also investigated. Study sample: The study sample consists of 42 patients with moderate to severe hearing loss, 23 cochlear implant users and 19 hearing aid users. RESULTS: A significant average difference in speech perception scores was found for the use of a surgical mask compared to the listening situation "without mask". The worse the speech understanding in quiet, the larger the impact of the surgical mask. For the worse performers even the face shield had a negative impact on speech perception. The sound distortion for the face shield compared to the surgical mask was greater. CONCLUSION: This study shows that even for speech perception in quiet, surgical face masks, and face shields to a lesser extent, have a negative effect for patients with moderate to severe hearing loss.