Hearing aids and masks

MT. PLEASANT - As challenging as the pandemic and mitigation strategies may be for hearing individuals, those with hearing loss or are hearing-impaired are facing even greater challenges.

From the muffling of sounds due to barriers and social distance, to an inability to read lips because of masks, hearing-impaired individuals are coming up against new obstacles as they navigate everyday activities during the pandemic.

Del Concha, an audiologist and owner of Concha Audiology in Mt. Pleasant, Keokuk, Fort Madison and North Liberty, said he has seen a more diverse group of patients than he has in the past.

'I've had grocery store workers, younger people. When they're wearing masks and as they're stocking, people come up behind them, and they can't hear them,” he said.

Concha added he's also seen more health care workers and even law enforcement officers.

'With the masks, everything is muffled, and people are losing that visual input,” he said.

The audiologist said those with hearing loss most often have issues hearing consonant sounds, which are also the most visible sounds.

'You're using your lips and teeth and because a person is not able to see somebody, it's much harder,” Concha said.

If proper adjustments are not made for someone with hearing loss, Concha noted that studies show a person could lose up to 10 to 15 percent of speech recognition.

'They're dealing with a very big disadvantage. Look at how far you have to be away [for social distancing]. It would sound like whispers for someone with normal hearing,” Concha said.

The audiologist added the use of Plexiglas at customer service-oriented places such as grocery stores and banks has made everyday tasks more difficult.

'The Plexiglas is a barrier. The sounds are bouncing off and not through,” he explained.

To help with some of these challenges, Concha said Bluetooth hearing aids that come with portable mics can be helpful. A person with hearing loss may ask a person they're speaking with to wear a mic or place the mic under the slot of a Plexiglas barrier to better hear a store clerk as they speak.

'Technology has really improved to help people who need hearing aids,” Concha said.

Wireless Bluetooth hearing aids can be used to connect directly into computers or televisions. Concha said the volume of television sets is a major source of arguments of older couples at home who are quarantining.

'I've seen more couples in the last two months than I have in 22 years of private practice,” he said.

In addition to dealing with sound barriers and loss of visual input, wearing masks can also present a challenge for those wearing hearing aids. The most common hearing aids are over the ear devices, which can be easily lost when constantly putting on or taking off a mask.

Concha said he has advised patients to always check mask loops right after taking off a mask. Other popular solutions to keeping track of hearing aids include connecting the devices with elastic bands or using alligator clips attached to a person's clothing, which will catch the device before it falls.

'I've only had about five people lose their hearing aids. We always tell patients to watch out,” Concha said.