How will face masks impact those with hearing impairments?

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Published 2020-05-21

On #BBCBreakfast we spoke to Philip Gerrard, Chief Executive of Deaf Action Scotland and Interpreter Ivonne Waddell about the problems face masks cause and how some people are finding alternative face masks to help

All Comments (4)

@gilltennant9237 4 years ago

A very clear and useful discussion. Lack of trust in our government is the biggest block to tracking, to using sensible measures at the right time, but we all need to be aware of the frailties of others, particularly potentially of strangers.
@annrice2405 3 years ago

It makes no difference wearing window masks to me. The putting on of my own face mask makes me panic
@rab1978uk 3 years ago

I’m not deaf, but very hard of hearing. I explain it like being underwater. A lot of people don’t know, because if they speak clearly, facing me so I can see the face, nobody would know. It’s not so much about loudness, it’s more about clearness. Masks muffle the voice and prevents me from filling in the blanks by reading lips and facial expressions. People actually get very aggressive/frustrated when they are not heard. I even get abused by mates when I can’t hear them. “You deaf...*****!” it’s more common than people think.