West Norfolk Deaf Association raising awareness about issues created by mask-wearing
They say face-masks are making it seriously difficult for those with hearing issues to communicate with others
The West Norfolk Deaf Association are continuing to raise awareness about issues faced by their community during the pandemic.
After they've been told by local people with hearing issues that face-masks make it nearly impossible for them to communicate with others, over the last two years.
Anna Pugh is the groups manager.
She says it's creating a real barrier for many:
"Facial expressions and lip shapes are so fundamental to the total communication approach that's needed for people who use sign-language. So, what people have found is that they are further taken away from that one to one communication which is so important and lots of people are really struggling while also feeling more and more isolated.
She also says the enforcement of mask wearing has made many realise that all isn't well:
"People tend to take seven to ten years before they do anything about their hearing. So, we're finding that there's lots of people who are only now noticing that once people have started wearing masks, they're not hearing well. Now it's very easy to say that it's because of the masks and previously it was because people were mumbling. But actually it's because there's a problem with their hearing".
Ms Pugh concluded by saying that its been particularly hard for those in schools:
"If you're using a lot of your cognitive random access memory to concentrate and to listen. Then you've got less time and energy, and that makes people more tired which means they are no learning as well. You also have to remember that there's other people in the classroom, like teachers and teaching assistants who will also have those sort of issues.
On a one to one communication when we're at schools, we can move people into smaller areas so we reduce some of the noise. More generally speaking, it's really difficult to reduce background noise, so we need to do that as much as we can allow effective communication".