Unintended consequences of wearing masks

[Karen G]

This article brings up a problem I had never considered as I don't know anyone personally who reads lips because they are hearing-impaired.

'I never felt handicapped until now.' Minnesotans with hearing loss face a masked world

For thousands of Minnesotans with hearing loss, the masks we've come to rely on are a barrier to communication.

www.startribune.com

 

[Cornell]

I cannot believe you posted this! My sister is an Occupational Therapist and was just telling me today that this is a "thing" in the rehab world. It had never occurred to me.

My daughter today is a shopper at one of the local grocery stores and saw a note on the order that the customer picking up was hearing impaired. She quickly went online to look up a bit of ASL so that she could sign "thank you for your business" when the customer arrived for pickup.

 

[isisdave]

I find it difficult that people can't see each other smile.

 

[geist1223]

Really highlites beautiful eyes.

 

[geoand]

I cannot believe you posted this! My sister is an Occupational Therapist and was just telling me today that this is a "thing" in the rehab world. It had never occurred to me.

My daughter today is a shopper at one of the local grocery stores and saw a note on the order that the customer picking up was hearing impaired. She quickly went online to look up a bit of ASL so that she could sign "thank you for your business" when the customer arrived for pickup.

I don’t think you need to be told but I wanted to say YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAUGHTER!

 

[Monykalyn]

This article brings up a problem I had never considered as I don't know anyone personally who reads lips because they are hearing-impaired.

'I never felt handicapped until now.' Minnesotans with hearing loss face a masked world

For thousands of Minnesotans with hearing loss, the masks we've come to rely on are a barrier to communication.

www.startribune.com

My husband and I are members of SERTOMA (SErvice TO MAnkind) whose national mission is hearing health (locally we have fundraisers that support our Boys&Girls Clubs)-I brought up this issue on a Disney board that mask wearing could be an issue with this. Good gravy the amount of vitriol spewed at me! Apparently every hearing impaired person knows ASL so no probs! (said sarcastically) I work around older adults with hearing impairment too-loss of hearing is hugely socially isolating.

@Cornell what a wonderful thing your daughter did!!

 

[Cornell]

My daughter learned as an exchange student that making an effort to communicate in the local language when you are not a native speaker goes a long way in bridging gaps. One of the many non academic things she learned this year .