← Return to How do you manage wearing a facemask with hearing aids?

Discussion

How do you manage wearing a facemask with hearing aids?

Hearing Loss | Last Active: Sep 17, 2023 | Replies (99)

Comment receiving replies
@vic83

Cloth masks were promoted when N95 masks had very limited stock and the medical community needed them. N95 (and KN95) masks are now available. We wear masks for health reasons, so cloth masks should now be discarded.
WHAT DO THE RATINGS MEAN?
1) 95: Masks ending in a 95, have a 95 percent efficiency.
2) .3 microns: The masks filter out contaminants like dusts, mists and fumes. The minimum size of .3 microns of particulates and large droplets won’t pass through the barrier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)
3) Material: The filtration material on the mask is an electrostatic non-woven polypropylene fiber.
4) The "N" stands for “Non-Oil” meaning that if no oil-based particulates are present, then you can use the mask in the work environment. - YES, people in construction wear these same masks for protection from dust, chemicals etc.!

Jump to this post


Replies to "Cloth masks were promoted when N95 masks had very limited stock and the medical community needed..."

Hi Vic, I agree that the N95/KN95 masks are the best. Most people should wear them.
However, I have made and continue to distribute 3 layer cloth masks for some people. Here is why - a well made cloth masks offers some protection. And there are a number of populations who are unable, often for sensory or emotional reasons, to wear N/KN 95 masks. There are also people who have a huge sensation of breathlessness in those masks, but will tolerate cloth. It is better to offer them some protection than nothing.
Sue