Does anyone else find wearing a mask means they can't hear?

[QualityChecked]

I suppose it makes sense, when others are wearing a mask, it's harder to hear them and/or you don't have the facial cues that help you understand what people are saying.

However I find that when I'm wearing a mask I feel strangely disorientated and find it harder to understand others, even if they don't have their face covered.

I'll comply with any requirements as I always have, I'm still wearing it in shops and on public transport but I have a couple of theatre trips coming up and having to wear a mask will spoil my enjoyment. It might be a price I'll have to pay but I wouldn't have bought the tickets knowing I'd have to wear a mask and I I won't be buying any more if they are compulsory (the PM doesn't yet seem sure which indoor spaces will be affected).

Yes I find it really hard.

Could you be relying on lip reading more than you think? It is quite common to use lip reading to supplement the sound of speech without being aware of it.

@Cattitudes

Could you be relying on lip reading more than you think? It is quite common to use lip reading to supplement the sound of speech without being aware of it.

That was my first thought, but this is whenever I'm wearing a mask, even if others aren't so I can still see their face.

I feel like this too, OP. I wear a mask for work and where required in daily life and I honestly feel like I can't hear properly. Both my colleagues have said the same thing so you're definately not the only one thinking this.

Yes, totally agree!

If you habitually wear spectacles, you find that you can hear better with your glasses on than with them off so I suspect it's the same effect. My theory, as those above me, is that we also rely on facial cues and mouth shape to help with listening.

Yes. Also makes me quite flustered generally. No idea why. Don’t have an underlying ASD dx, any phobias or other “reasons” to feel so. I do have some issues with hearing since a virus a couple of years ago that perforated my eardrum and think it might all be linked.

Yes me too! People look at me like I’m mental when I say wearing a mask effects my hearing but it definitely does. I wondered if I relied in lip reading more than I thought or maybe having elastic round my ears maybe tilts my ears forwards a bit and does something to my hearing, god knows but I have to say, I’m quite pleased (but sorry for you) to find out that it’s not just me

Me too! I just look at people and have to admit I have no idea what they are saying.

I'm deaf so can't lipreading when people wear masks really dreading them coming back think inwill be avoiding shops

Yes but don’t understand why

Can't hear at all - have to focus really hard

I also don't bother talking

Plus I can't see going up or down stairs - I was at the theatre earlier, it had MASSES of stairs so I couldn't wear a mask

I can't see to put my feet down so I just fall over

Do you hook your mask elastics around your ears, OP, or have you tried one of those mask hooks that sit at the back of your head?

If you think the elastics are affecting your hearing (which I imagine is the only thing that CAN be making the difference, unless you're wearing your mask over your ears instead of your mouth ) then maybe bypassing your ears entirely would help?

Yes, but I'm the same when wearing specs too. My theory is that wearing something around my ears subtly changes the shape of my outer ear and my brain hasn't caught up.

@QualityChecked

I suppose it makes sense, when others are wearing a mask, it's harder to hear them and/or you don't have the facial cues that help you understand what people are saying.

However I find that when I'm wearing a mask I feel strangely disorientated and find it harder to understand others, even if they don't have their face covered.

I'll comply with any requirements as I always have, I'm still wearing it in shops and on public transport but I have a couple of theatre trips coming up and having to wear a mask will spoil my enjoyment. It might be a price I'll have to pay but I wouldn't have bought the tickets knowing I'd have to wear a mask and I I won't be buying any more if they are compulsory (the PM doesn't yet seem sure which indoor spaces will be affected).

Perhaps Boris does, which is why he doesn't wear them?

@LaurieFairyCake

Can't hear at all - have to focus really hard

I also don't bother talking

Plus I can't see going up or down stairs - I was at the theatre earlier, it had MASSES of stairs so I couldn't wear a mask

I can't see to put my feet down so I just fall over

Yes to the don't bother talking. If I have mask on it's like I'm not in the room.

Yes
I don't know why
It's weird.

Take it off your ears and cover your mouth and nose with it.

I really struggle with this too.

Normal conditions plus me wearing a mask I find difficult.

Then adding in others wearing a mask too, the plastic screens at tills etc. I really struggle.

My hearing is fine I have had hearing tests fairly recently. I just struggle with mask wearing so much.

If they are going back to mandatory in shops which it sounds like they are then I will be avoiding them as much as possible. I have really enjoyed the last few months not having to wear them.

Yes. Between that and my glasses steaming up, I spend a lot of time doing that nervous laugh when you can't hear what someone has said but can't ask them to repeat it yet again .

Yes! I'm a teacher and find it so hard to hear my students. And I also find it hard to walk down stairs - I bet there have been more falls with people wearing masks.

Yes very much so. I was on a shoot yesterday and I couldn't make out what the camera woman was saying. I feel like we need little microphones attached to our masks.

@LaurieFairyCake I have the stairs thing too! Way worse going down.

Yes I do

I didnt realise that there was something wrong with my hearing and balance until masks became a thing! How had I gotten this far without realising?😁