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Impacts of face coverings on communication: an indirect impact of COVID-19.
Saunders, Gabrielle H; Jackson, Iain R; Visram, Anisa S.
  • Saunders GH; Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
  • Jackson IR; Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
  • Visram AS; Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Int J Audiol ; 60(7): 495-506, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-947618
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To understand the impact of face coverings on hearing and communication.

DESIGN:

An online survey consisting of closed-set and open-ended questions distributed within the UK to gain insights into experiences of interactions involving face coverings, and of the impact of face coverings on communication. SAMPLE Four hundred and sixty members of the general public were recruited via snowball sampling. People with hearing loss were intentionally oversampled to more thoroughly assess the effect of face coverings in this group.

RESULTS:

With few exceptions, participants reported that face coverings negatively impacted hearing, understanding, engagement, and feelings of connection with the speaker. Impacts were greatest when communicating in medical situations. People with hearing loss were significantly more impacted than those without hearing loss. Face coverings impacted communication content, interpersonal connectedness, and willingness to engage in conversation; they increased anxiety and stress, and made communication fatiguing, frustrating and embarrassing - both as a speaker wearing a face covering, and when listening to someone else who is wearing one.

CONCLUSIONS:

Face coverings have far-reaching impacts on communication for everyone, but especially for people with hearing loss. These findings illustrate the need for communication-friendly face-coverings, and emphasise the need to be communication-aware when wearing a face covering.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Auditory Perception / Communication Barriers / Persons With Hearing Impairments / COVID-19 / Hearing Disorders / Lipreading / Masks Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Int J Audiol Journal subject: Audiology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 14992027.2020.1851401

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Auditory Perception / Communication Barriers / Persons With Hearing Impairments / COVID-19 / Hearing Disorders / Lipreading / Masks Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Int J Audiol Journal subject: Audiology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 14992027.2020.1851401