Communication During COVID: Struggles for the Hearing Impaired
Communication During COVID: Struggles for the Hearing Impaired
by Zakia I.
Deaf is the term used to describe the state in which people are unable to hear. This unfortunate situation only became more complicated due to the Covid Pandemic. It is already a terrible struggle to be isolated from family and friends, not being able to experience an ordinary life. Communication is essential, especially now, but how will deaf citizens in Canada (people before diagnosis), who rely so heavily on lip reading, facial expressions, and so much more, cope when it suddenly becomes mandatory to wear a mask?
“Masks are a barrier to making connections to the community,” says Wissam Constantin, Vice President of Governance and Membership, Canadian Association of the Deaf. The inability to communicate, understand another person’s words, can cause high levels of irritation, stress, anxiety, and depression. An online survey of 129 individuals with hearing loss revealed an increased level mental health decline with public health measures adopted in response to coronavirus.
A solution is in order, for there are 357, 000 culturally Deaf and 3.21 million hard of hearing Canadians. This is not just an issue affecting a select few. Fortunately, a see-through mask has been designed that is clear centered on the mouth area for this purpose. The Mingle Mask is ergonomic, is fabricated of recyclables, FDA-approved biodegradable plastic, doesn’t fog up so it’s actually easier to breath, and is the first Canadian-made mask of its kind available in the market.
Despite this being a stepping stone for a more facilitating future, there are debates concerning the precarious Canaidan Health Protocols during Covid. The specific guidelines state, safeguarding health and preventing the spread of coronavirus being the most primary concern, that non-medical masks should be made of at least two layers of tightly-woven fabric like cotton or linen. The debate whether masks like the Mingle Masks, fully visible, are viable products or not, has very few distributors, manufacturers, and their supplies are low. These masks would benefit everyone, being able to see the faces of loved ones, so the fight continues.
A woman wearing a Mingle Mask