How To Communicate With The Deaf Community Behind A Mask

"The Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing population is diverse in communication styles and levels of hearing losses," says Teddy R. Dorsette III, director of communications for National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA). "There is not a one-size-fits-all as far as communication needs and auditory needs. One thing as a whole about this population is that we are very visual." 

Some people rely on lip reading, and others rely on facial expressions to understand what is being said. "When masks are placed on faces, it strips away the ability to see the lips and facial expressions, and communication access becomes lost," Dorsette says. 

Along with removing the ability to read lips, director at the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes Stephanie Cawthon, Ph.D., says masks can alter the clarity of speech. For people who are hard of hearing, this muffling can be difficult to understand. 

The pandemic has been particularly difficult for members of the deaf blind community, like NBDA secretary Ashlea Hayes, who rely on physical touch to communicate. "PT (pro-tactile) communication is our most effective way to convey messages," Hayes tells mbg. "By this pandemic, we are even more limited in our visual communication (the mask) and we are prohibited from touching each other," Hayes explains. 

"Understand that we simply don't speak audible English, we use a visual language, and our vision has been obstructed by this mask," Hayes says. "This means that we will not be able to understand or communicate effectively with the mask." 

If someone signs they're deaf or says they're hard of hearing, Cawthon says to change your strategy for communicating. "Screaming behind masks is not any more effective than screaming without a mask," she says. 

Writing down what you want to say can be helpful, whether it's in the notes section of a phone or on paper. 

Speech-to-text apps can be useful for people in the service industry, or anyone working with a colleague, client, etc., who is deaf or hard of hearing. Before going into work, Cawthon recommends testing the app with your mask on. This will ensure it accurately detects speech. 

When working from home or reaching out to colleagues, clients, friends, or family members who are deaf or hard of hearing, Cawthon recommends using video technology. 

Businesses and service industries may consider asking employees to wear clear face masks to better serve their deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. 

While safety is important, face masks can be a barrier to communication for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and the deaf blind community. 

"Deaf people are remarkably resourceful people," Hayes says. "As the majority of the population lack the skills necessary to communicate in ASL, or PT sign language, we have to use a holistic approach to communicate." 

Now that masks block the ability to read lips and other visual expressions, it's important for hearing people to be patient, understanding, and adapt their methods of communication.