Wearing masks with over the ear hearing side

Reply to nurseheadakes and barbb: I have no idea where the VRT issue popped up. However, the author who's working on a revision of a book about hearing and balance will be asking me to answer some questions for her, so I'll send you copies, if I have your e-mail address. I'm sure that lots of people of tired of seeing my repeated harangues about VRT! <g>

Barb, how did your appt. work out?

Masks...I see ads online for a new totally clear mask that is shaped to fit around the lower face. It would be great for those of us who rely on speech reading, but the clunky "arms" that go over the ears are hopeless for those who wear aids. Yup, we can send men to the moon but can't figure out masks that are both visible and don't interfere with aids. Helluva deal!

@joyces You have no idea how glad I am to hear from you. Since my first VRT app't I have tried to find you to let you know my experience. It probably was difficult because when I wanted to initiate a post to you I couldn't figure how out to do that so nurseheadshakes got a post from me! Anyway...today was my 2nd VRT app't. App'ts are 1/2 hour and the first one was just to do an assessment. He did a "test" and said the highest # on the test is 56 - the acceptable # is 45 and my # was 30! That didn't bother me because I already knew that my balance is a nightmare! Today he walked me through exercises I should do at home about 4-5 of them and gave me a print out of them. 3 of them I am already practiced in though haven't been doing them recently. The ones I know well are clamshells, hydrants, leg lifts (while lying on the side). In addition he had me do some things which I think I may be doing for at least several times with him e.g. standing with feet together, eyes closed - the kind of exercises you should not do alone, at least initially! All in all, it felt like a workout! The best part was after I walked out of the place and walked 7 blocks. It really felt that what I did with the therapist was helping me with my walking! I did not expect to to feel a result right away! You can't get a better motivator than that! You can "harangue" me any time because I feel what you've said has been extremely helpful. Especially when I was doing exercises with my eyes closed, I was thinking of your talk about proprioception, trying to concentrate on it. You have been a major support in this adventure already! Thank You!!!

BarbB, anything I can to to motivate you, I'll try! I know, from years of doing VRT, that you really do need to do it virtually every day. With practice, you can incorporate thinking about what your feet have to say into many normal activities. I remember, nearly 40 years ago, how amazed I was the first time I hiked without staring at the ground right in front of me: there's an entire world out there with an incredible number of things to see! I am very happy that you felt some improvement after your first real work session. There will always be times when you can think of fine excuses not to do VRT, but try to push 'em back. I just came in from feeding a couple of deer...it's flat pouring rain. I really, really don't want to walk down to the mailbox today. A quarter mile: shoot, I might just drown, as hard as it's raining! Isn't that a fine excuse? Instead, I'll watch for a break in the rain, as it won't be dark here for more than four hours.

That is why I sew clear masks with elastic that swing around the head instead of the ears. I have been doing this since COVID first came around. I have a new funding source to help this cause.... Let me know how I can help you. Eloise

If yours have a nose clip, I would send a modest amount for a few washable ones

They are hand washable, line dry and have the nose wire inside for adjusting over the nose. They are the clear windowed masks Here is where you can find me...National Website with my article
Why Clear Masks? August 19, 2020
https://www.hearingloss.org/why-clear-masks/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HLAANews+%28HLAA+News%29

This problem is very real. I know three people who have lost hearing aids when they pulled off masks after leaving retail establishments. By the time they realized the hearing aid was missing, they were unable to find it. Those of us with severe/profound hearing loss would likely notice this right away, but those with less severe hearing losses may not realize the device is off.

I have devised masks that tie behind my head. Obviously, those that are handed out for use will not have that option, so you have to plan ahead. It's a real pain with a cochlear implant processor due to the wire that runs from the BTE processor to the coil a few inches above it. Be innovative. we CAN figure this out. The masks that Nurse Headaches is creating that have transparent inserts are wonderful because those of us with hearing loss can see a speakers lip movements. We all depend on lip reading whether we realize it or not. BUT, we need other people to wear those transparent masks, we don't necessarily need to use them ourselves unless we are around other people who have hearing loss. We all look forward to the day when masks are no longer necessary. Meanwhile, try hard to find ways to make them work! Statement from a Mayo MD: There is less influenza this year than was expected. This is likely a result of mask wearing preventing the spread of the annual flu virus. Sometimes good comes from bad. Hang in there everyone!

I agree - the statement came out about less flu but more covid...all the same - Wear your masks. I always giver out two masks for the user and the caregiver since there are always two in a conversation. Let me know and I will be part of this conversation as I have been in 2020. Eloise

<p>Why COVID masks are especially troublesome with wired behind the ear h</p><p>I pulled off my COVID mask, hooked it on one ear wire and managed to break it so I could not hear. It is infuriating to contemplate a whole backup set of aides to cover me in case this happens again. Nothing prepares a person for the high cost of hearing aides that need to be replaced every four years or so.</p>

@coppermoon Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

You have broken your hearing aid while utilizing a COVID-19 mask.

You will notice that I added your question to a previous discussion related to COVID-19 masks and hearing loss.

I did this so you could connect with members like @akalsas @tonyinmi @golden418 @ken82 @imallears that have already discussed this topic and may be able to offer suggestions and/or support.

I'm wondering if there is an alternate way to wear a mask (not behind the ears) so you are less likely to damage your hearing aids?