Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2023 Apr;66(4):226-233. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2022.00675.

Influence of Wearing a Face Mask on Subjective Communication Difficulties According to Hearing Level

• Lee HA
• Lee SJ
• Lee SH
• Chung JH
• Byun H

• KMID: 2541596
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2022.00675

Abstract

Background and Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of wearing face masks on communication according to hearing levels using a questionnaire.
Subjects and Method
Individuals who underwent pure-tone audiometry at the otolaryngology department were invited to participate from September to December 2021. Each participant was asked to answer a questionnaire consisting of visual analog scales and open-ended questions about the experience of interactions involving face masks and the impact wearing face masks had on communication regarding listening, speaking and emotional exchange. The items of questionnaires were analyzed according to their hearing levels.
Results
A total of 119 subjects completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the subjects was 57.13±17.43 and the mean hearing threshold was 39.31±22.52 dB HL. Among them, 15.1% wore hearing aids. Across subjects, from those with the normal hearing level to those with moderate hearing loss, the average scores for subjective listening and speaking difficulty during conversation were significantly higher when individuals were wearing face masks than when they were not (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in scores when asked about difficulty in exchanging emotion while wearing a mask.
Conclusion
Wearing a face mask might have a negative impact particularly on listening and speaking aspects of communication. There was no statistically significant difference in subjective difficulty scores according to hearing levels.

Keyword

Communication; COVID-19; Hearing loss; Personal protective equipment