Doctor creates special face masks to help those with hearing loss
Face masks are becoming the new normal as pandemic precautions begin to ease. But if you’re hard of hearing those masks can create a serious challenge.
David Kasewurm has dealt with hearing loss for 30 years. He says when people talk to him while wearing face masks he can’t understand them.
“It just blocks enough of the consonants and vowel sounds that I don’t pick them up,” said Kasewurm.
Fortunately it’s not too much of a problem for him — at least at the grocery store.
“Luckily I know where the beer and the wine is so it makes it very simple."
But not every hearing impaired person is having as easy a time as David. Which is why his wife, Dr. Gyl Kasewurm, helped create ‘communicator masks.’
“Most people with hearing loss concentrate on watching someone’s lips, and when you have a solid mask on obviously you are no longer able to do that,” said Dr. Kasewurm.
The other problem with solid face masks is how much they muffle your voice. Dr. Kasewurm showed us the difference in decibel level is dramatic.
“Even people with normal hearing, the masks brings down their voice to almost half of what it normally is,” she said.
The Kasewurms are now working with a manufacturer in California to make the masks. They’re also working to get them to area grocery stores.
“We worked now with some grocery stores to have one aisle that specifically designated for people with hearing loss and they’re wearing the communicator masks, so now someone with hearing loss can see someone’s lips,” said Dr. Kasewurm.
Mr. Kasewurm says beyond the communicator masks, there’s something simple you can do to help people like him during the pandemic.
“Speak a little louder and speak to me,” he said.
Dr. Kasewurm is selling the masks as well, if you’d like to buy them. You can pick them up at the office, or you can order them online here.
