Ms. McLaren, Ear Research Foundation’s Help Us Hear (HUH) Program hearing aid recipient shares to us: “It’s difficult to talk to people when they’re wearing masks, because I can’t read their lips. I would ask them to repeat what they said once or twice. After a while, it can get very embarrassing.”

While the Department of Health advises wearing face masks in public and social distancing to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease, this practice creates further communication difficulties. Masks can distort the sound or quality of speech. Most of these individuals rely on lip reading or facial expressions to communicate. Approximately 48,975 adults in Sarasota County are living with hearing loss, and 5,975 of those are living in poverty.

Ear Research Foundation encourages you to wear communicator masks and support our monthly giving program! The program was inspired to advocate for communication solutions for the hearing-impaired and support under-insured individuals in isolation during these trying times.

When you join the Hearing Advocates Coalition with a monthly sustaining donation of only $5, you will get an anti-fog clear face mask that is hearing aid and lip reading friendly. 

Join today before the mask supply runs out!

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