South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Clear masks helping hearing-impaired during COVID-19
ForGerald Brickman, of Fort Lauderdale, being able to see his audiologist’s mouth through a clearmask has been helpful since he is deaf in one ear andwears a hearing aid.
“I’ve known her for a while and she’s terrific. It [clear mask] has absolutely helped. I have to ask them again because I don’t understand what they are saying with the regular mask,” he said.
Dr. Valerie Rossetti, of FloridaHearingMatters in Fort Lauderdale, has been using clear masks so many of her older patients can better understand what she’s saying.
She’s also given out the masks, which she got fromone of her suppliers, to some of her patients, other physicians, caregivers and family members who may interact with someone who is hard of hearing, or have difficulty communicating with someonewearing a face mask, she said.
She’s also nowselling the reusable clearmasks in her office and on her website for $5 each or 3 for $12. They are fluid resistant and latex free, according to thewebsite,
“When the whole pandemic hit in late March, some ofmy patients reported having a hard time hearing what peoplewere saying with face masks. They’re not trained lip readers. They were older in age, and they didn’t realize they were reading lips,” Rossetti said.
Brickman said Rossetti is the only one of his doctors currently using the clear face masks.
Dr. Dalia Girgis from Lauderdale Eye Specialists recently got the masks fromRossetti.
“It’s definitely helped whenwe have patients with limited acuity or older patients, especially if they have hearing loss on top of eye issues. It helps them understand what you are saying and helps with office visits. It’s very beneficial,” she said.
Rossetti said there is a need for clear masks since wearing one muffles outgoing speech by 3% to 4%.
“It’s a big jump for people who are hearing impaired, and you have to make adjustments for the hearing impaired,” she said.
Rossetti also said many of her patients who have nurses or caretakers at home felt better about communicating when the other personwore a clear mask.
“A lot of people who are older do rely on looking at peoples’ mouths…wearing a mask isn’t always the most comfortable, but at least it’s a bit easier when you see what someone is saying,” she said.
Rossetti also has instructions on herwebsite and in her office that she’s given out to patients about howtowear amask with a hearing aid.
About 80% of hearing aids areworn over your ears, so her office has provided clips that the mask loops around instead of the ear so it doesn’t interfere, she said.
“Wewant to encourage them towear their hearing aids. If people can’t hear, it can lead to more cognitive decline or depression.
“We get several calls a week about lost hearing aids,” she said.
Brickman doesn’t have toworry about losing his hearing aid because has an implant now.
“It’s a miracle. I don’t have to fuss andworry about hearing aids…it’s unbelievable. I’d recommend it to anyone who can afford it; it’swell worth it,” he said.
Visit floridahearingmatters.com/.