How do you manage wearing a facemask with hearing aids?

Lizzy, I found a pattern online for a shaped mask, instead of the flat ones with pleats along both sides. Because it's shaped, it can be held in place with a single band that runs entirely below your ears. It slips a little while you talk, but not enough to be a problem, and far easier to cope with than anything above your ears. E-mail me (can't post my mail here but you can get it by going to group members and searching for "joyces." Naturally, I tried a couple of placements before I found what actually works, so got to use my brand-new seam ripper!

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New favorite face mask pattern!
I have made and given away hundreds of face masks, over half to seniors, and do not ever use the ear loops - always elastic or ties around the head. With the pleated face masks, I have found they need a nose wire to stay firmly in place, and they are 1- a pain to add 2- good ones are hard to get and 3- some people have a hard time with them. I also find there are large gaps on the sides on many people, not optimal for stopping the spread of droplets. And some people find they collapse against the face when worn for longer times, making them uncomfortable. So I have been on the lookout for something as simple to make as the pleated mask, but better fitting.
Take a look at this mask: https://aplat.com/blogs/shus-notebook/diy-cloth-face-mask
Advantages: Super simple for even a novice seamstress to make, It does not need a nose wire to stay in position. It "cups" the face very well, giving a really close fit. When made with 3 layers or a crisp fabric, it doesn't collapse against the face when you breathe. You can insert a coffee filter or similar for extra protection. The ties can be placed in a number of different positions on your head, making it adaptable for many people. It can be made with elastic instead of ties if you prefer.
Tips for mask sewers: 36" or 42" shoelaces work perfectly as ties (47" must be for a really big guy!) Be sure to leave enough space for threading the cord when you sew the original seams. You can play with the depth of the folds or the distance of the last top stitching from the sides to fit larger and smaller faces. If interlined or interfaced, no extra filter needed.
Off to make another - I have a friend coming to walk with me!
Sue

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New favorite face mask pattern!
I have made and given away hundreds of face masks, over half to seniors, and do not ever use the ear loops - always elastic or ties around the head. With the pleated face masks, I have found they need a nose wire to stay firmly in place, and they are 1- a pain to add 2- good ones are hard to get and 3- some people have a hard time with them. I also find there are large gaps on the sides on many people, not optimal for stopping the spread of droplets. And some people find they collapse against the face when worn for longer times, making them uncomfortable. So I have been on the lookout for something as simple to make as the pleated mask, but better fitting.
Take a look at this mask: https://aplat.com/blogs/shus-notebook/diy-cloth-face-mask
Advantages: Super simple for even a novice seamstress to make, It does not need a nose wire to stay in position. It "cups" the face very well, giving a really close fit. When made with 3 layers or a crisp fabric, it doesn't collapse against the face when you breathe. You can insert a coffee filter or similar for extra protection. The ties can be placed in a number of different positions on your head, making it adaptable for many people. It can be made with elastic instead of ties if you prefer.
Tips for mask sewers: 36" or 42" shoelaces work perfectly as ties (47" must be for a really big guy!) Be sure to leave enough space for threading the cord when you sew the original seams. You can play with the depth of the folds or the distance of the last top stitching from the sides to fit larger and smaller faces. If interlined or interfaced, no extra filter needed.
Off to make another - I have a friend coming to walk with me!
Sue

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To print, you can copy the entire pattern, from materials through the end, open an empty Word doc, and paste the copy into it. If you really want to "smallify" it to four pages total, you can use Word's picture tools to crop the images (crop tool at far right of picture tools) and reduce the size of most of the images by pushing either right corner to the left.

I looks as though this pattern could be modified by using a single strap, attached at the center of each side, with a Velcro closure. Not as secure as two straps, but one strap below your ears is better for aids. I just saw this pattern; haven't tried it yet.

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sueinmn, can I buy these already made anywhere?

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@sparklegram
I got one hepa filter mask from Etsy that has ties and also ordered hepa filters from Etsy. This particular person at Sewn
Adventures store also wears Behind the Ear heading aids. I ended up modifying that one because the ties were annoying and bought thin elastic for making jewelry at Michaels. I found that because this type of elastic is so thin the loops fit beautifully behind my ears...aids on first and then the loops behind the aids.
Etsy is making a ton of masks...I only wanted a USA made one and she shipped fast and will custom make as many of the Etsy stores do. She has friends who wear CIs and is making masks for them. You can choose such cute patterns too. You can narrow down the selection if you type in face masks for hearing aids or just type in face masks and go to town...there are so many.
I now have 2 with soft elastic loops that I can wear comfortably and one with ties.

FL Mary

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@sparklegram
I got one hepa filter mask from Etsy that has ties and also ordered hepa filters from Etsy. This particular person at Sewn
Adventures store also wears Behind the Ear heading aids. I ended up modifying that one because the ties were annoying and bought thin elastic for making jewelry at Michaels. I found that because this type of elastic is so thin the loops fit beautifully behind my ears...aids on first and then the loops behind the aids.
Etsy is making a ton of masks...I only wanted a USA made one and she shipped fast and will custom make as many of the Etsy stores do. She has friends who wear CIs and is making masks for them. You can choose such cute patterns too. You can narrow down the selection if you type in face masks for hearing aids or just type in face masks and go to town...there are so many.
I now have 2 with soft elastic loops that I can wear comfortably and one with ties.

FL Mary

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