Your tips: Making communication clear when wearing a facemask

Could you tell me the specific mask you feel is ok for the hearing aids?

Sadly the kerchief. Others bother my aids

@nap, you may be interested in this related discussion where members discuss various mask solutions compatible with hearing aids.
- Coronavirus facemask interferes with hearing aids https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/coronavirus-mask-interferes-with-hearing-aids/

I had to go in to an urgent care about a month ago. I wasn't sure how I would be able to understand everyone wearing masks, so I asked the receptionist and the doctors to write down anything they wanted to say to me. They had a little dry erase board, which worked perfectly. In fact, I liked it better than my regular mode of communication for appointments--using lip reading and Live Transcribe. The app doesn't always catch everything accurately and I'm often asking the doctors to repeat themselves. I'm planning on buying a little dry erase board that I can bring with me in a shoulder bag.

Whatever works for each of us is the best way to go. Many hard of hearing people I know have turned to written communication with whiteboards and/or apps on their phones. Most important is explaining to the medical personnel why you are doing what you are doing.

There really isn't a perfect mask for people who use hearing aids. You have to figure out what is comfortable for you, and make sure you are aware of your personal hearing devices when you remove the mask. I prefer those that tie behind my head, but others find those uncomfortable. I often put on a baseball hat when I need to don a mask because it helps hold the ties in place. Others have said they don't wear hats. The window masks should be worn by other people who work with or socialize with us. We don't need those unless we are with other people with hearing loss. They keep advertising them 'for deaf and hard of hearing people', but they are to help those people by having others use them. 🙂

Hi @peach414144, please take note that you are posting in the Hearing Loss group. This is a welcoming and safe place where people living with hearing loss from mild to severe, hard of hearing or complete hearing loss learn, teach and share together. The discussion is about how we who do not have hearing loss can communicate while wearing a mask with people who live with hearing loss, who rely on lip reading and facial expressions.

This is also an opportunity to post the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
Please take note of guideline 2:
2. Remain respectful at all times.
- Personal attacks against members or health care providers are not acceptable. Such posts will be removed.

For this reason, the above post was removed. If anyone has any concerns about this action, please write to me using this form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

Hi @peach414144, your apology is appreciated and accepted. Please see the private message I sent you or send me a message using this form https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/
We can talk privately and leave this discussion on it topic of hearing loss and communication with masks.

Hi, I read this and I did find something which would help me. My hearing is bad. I wear hearing aids and still have a problem with hearing. So, the masks make it extremely difficult to hear. I tell people I can't hear them, point to my hearing aids and say: "I am sorry but I have a hearing problem" Most of the time, the people talk much louder. I found online a mask which reads: "SPEAK UP, I HAVE A HEARING LOSS". I haven't ordered one yet but intend to do so. Woogie by the way, these masks are pretty and I will be happy to get mine.

Let us know if that new mask helps. I have a pin on button that I've worn when traveling that says "Please face me I lipread". Right now that's not much help, but it does help in 'normal times'. 🙂