The frequent use of masks may have a negative impact on individuals with communication difficulties, such as those who are learning speech or those who have hearing difficulties. Mask wearing reduces visual cues that are often relied upon during communication. For example, watching mouth movements can help to clarify speech comprehension for words that otherwise sound similar (e.g., think & sink). Frequent lack of these visual cues could potentially hinder both comprehension and speech sound development. To minimize such difficulties, here are some strategies to consider when communicating through masks:
- Reduce background noise (e.g., turn off music, space heaters or air conditioners, close doors, move to a quiet area, etc.).
- Speak clearly and precisely.
- Choose mask type wisely. Surgical masks often transmit sound more readily than cloth masks. Transparent face masks may allow greater availability of visual speech cues but may cause muffling of sound and may have issues with fogging.
- Check for understanding and provide clarification or repetition as needed.
- Consider using gestures such as pointing or other hand movements to complement the use of words and increase understanding.
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