Deaf woman on difficulties with people wearing face masks

Deaf woman on difficulties with people wearing face masks

7 October 2020

A CARRYDUFF woman who relies on lip reading to communicate has spoken about her difficulties with mask wearing during the coronavirus restrictions. 

Lucy Mulholland is profoundly deaf and wears a cochlear ear implant but finds that wearing a face covering interferes with her ability to hear. 

The 28 year-old designer also struggles to hear herself which makes her very?apprehensive 

Explained about some of her recent experiences, Lucy said: “I went into my local?shop?recently and didn’t wear a mask as I can’t hear at all with it on. I felt like everyone was looking at me which made me feel really embarrassed — in fact, it made me feel even more disabled.

“I’ve had awful experiences going?into a local shopping mall?with staff mumbling, or in shops which use Perspex screens?with no holes?as the sound is so muffled. I’m sick of all this mumbling, and of having to say, ‘Sorry, I’m deaf’”. 

Lucy has had some positive experiences and encourages more people to be aware of the needs of those who are deaf or have a hearing loss. 

She added: “The other night I went to the Errigle Inn in Belfast with two friends who are also deaf —the ?doorman?took his mask off and informed all the staff, he was really nice about it.? It made us really feel welcome and accepted.? 

“I had my haircut recently and have been going to the same salon for a while as I have curly hair and they’re really good at cutting it. The staff knew I was coming so they all wore see-through visors instead of masks so I could lipread. It’s good to see a friendly face?and people making effort to make me feel at ease.” 

Her words come as a national charity urged people to be aware of the problems that face masks and protective barriers have on deaf people or those with profound hearing difficulties during lockdown restrictions.

The call was made by the charity, Action on Hearing Loss, to mark Lip Reading Awareness Week recently.

Lipreading is a vital source of communication for the 300,000 people in Northern Ireland with hearing loss.

However,  with the introduction of face coverings, social distancing and other measures such as Perspex screens, many people with hearing loss are facing significant communication barriers on a daily basis. 

Many people who are deaf or have hearing loss rely heavily on visual cues for effective communication including facial expressions and lipreading.

The charity also says that it is also vital for those who communicate through British Sign Language.

Exemptions for not wearing a face covering include travelling with, or providing assistance to someone who relies on lipreading to communicate.

A person is also exempt from wearing a face mask if doing so would cause them significant distress, or if they have a disability which means they cannot put on, wear, or remove a face covering. 

Claire Lavery, director at Action on Hearing Loss Northern Ireland, added: “People should be aware of the exemptions that apply where face coverings are mandatory and how these exemptions apply to people who are deaf or have hearing loss. 

“If someone who is deaf or has hearing loss asks you to step back and remove your face covering to communicate with them you wouldn’t be acting illegally in doing so, though many are unaware of that.”

She said that the charity was also encouraging everyone, especially staff who are public facing, to consider how they communicate to be as inclusive as possible. 

“Simple things like reducing background noise, using induction loops and rephrasing sentences can help someone with hearing loss,” she added. “We also encourage people to be patient and understanding, and realise that this pandemic presents different challenges for everyone. “

If you are concerned about your hearing or want more information please contact Action on Hearing Loss on 028 9023 9619 or emailing information.nireland@hearingloss.org.uk.”