Over 355,000 Monthly Readers
IN FOCUS FOR PEOPLE Over 50
  • Home
  • Health
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Arts
  • Cover Stories
  • Housing
  • From the Publisher
  • Contact us
  • Silver Pages Dir.
  1. Home
  2. Technology

Technology

SEARCH Technology

Special masks can help hard of hearing adults

This “Communication Window Mask,” made by ADCO Hearing Products, is designed to enable lip reading by those who are hard of hearing. Window masks retail for $15.99 to $19.99 on the site.
  • Share
PRINT
By Beacon staff
Posted on September 08, 2020

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), masks can make communication difficult for the approximately 48 million Americans with hearing loss. Masks muffle sound and take away a person’s ability to read lips and see facial expressions, which help people better understand what they’re hearing.

“Widespread mask use at this critical juncture in the pandemic is key to protecting the public health, but we want to make everyone aware that masks can pose communication challenges for anyone — especially people who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said ASHA President Theresa H. Rodgers, MA, CCC-SLP.

To aid communication while wearing a mask, ASHA offers everyone the following tips:

—Consider using a mask with a clear panel over the mouth (available from various online sites) or using a clear face shield (when appropriate).

—Make sure you have your communication partner’s attention before speaking.

—Face your partner directly, and make sure nothing is blocking your view.

—Talk a little louder (but don’t shout) and a little slower.

—Use your hands and your body language.

—Ask your partner if they understood you; if not, say it a different way or write it down.

—Move to a quiet place if you can.

—If you’re talking with someone new, ask if there’s anything you can do to make communication easier for both of you.

For more information and tips, visit https://www.asha.org/public/Communicating-Effectively-While-Wearing-Masks-and-Physical-Distancing/.

For window masks, visit adcohearing.com/collections/adco-brand-masks or call 1-800-726-0851.

Technology 2025

2025 Seniors' Resource Guide

CLICK HERE

to view the 2025 Montgomery County Seniors' Resource Guide.

Silver PagesDirectory

FIND WHAT YOU NEED, FAST.

This comprehensive, searchable directory covers
housing, homecare, elder law and financial planning

CommunityEvents

A CALENDAR JUST FOR YOU

Find fun, interesting, informative things to do.
Or post your upcoming event!

2025 Beacon 50+Expo

SAVE THE DATES!

Sept. 28th - Silver Spring Civic Building
& Oct. 5th - Springfield Town Center.

Silver PagesDirectory

FIND WHAT YOU NEED, FAST.

This comprehensive, searchable directory covers housing, homecare, elder law and financial planning

Submit PrintClassifieds

ALL PRINT CLASSIFIEDS ARE SUBMITTED ONLINE

Click here to submit your classifieds for one of our upcoming print editions.

CommunityEvents

A CALENDAR JUST FOR YOU

Find fun, interesting, informative things to do. Or post your upcoming event!

About the Beacon

Over 50 or love someone who is? Then consider the Beacon your resource for trustworthy information on health, money, technology and travel topics, as well as entertaining features, arts and events.

The Beacon’s award-winning content covers health, financial, technology, housing, travel and arts topics, as well as local events and feature stories. Readers of our three print editions pick up more than 179,000 copies each month at more than 2,000 distribution sites. We also mail copies to subscribers throughout the United States.

Contact Us

THE BEACON NEWSPAPERS

PO Box 2227  •  Silver Spring, MD 20915

WASHINGTON, DC

TEL: 301-949-9766  •  FAX: 301-949-8966

HOWARD COUNTY & BALTIMORE, MD

TEL: 410-248-9101  •  FAX: 301-949-8966

More on our Website

  • About
  • Advertise with us
  • Staff
  • Resource Guide
  • Awards
  • The 50+Expos
  • Recipes
  • Puzzles
  • Community Events
  • Privacy Policy
Contact us Classified Form Subscription Form