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).

I find it incredibly difficult to focus as I am focusing on my breathing. If I don't then I instinctively hold my breath and get dizzy. I hear words but find it difficult to understand. I come home without things that are on my shopping list. Mask free I am fine!

I am the same too.

I go mute as well, or only say the bare minimum like 'thanks'.

Yes I do.

[quote 50ShadesOfCatholic]@penguinwithasuitcase

Yes I turn down the radio to do certain things like turn out of my driveway or on slip roads. I guess it's so I can hear sirens or I dunno? Just helps me see better![/quote]
I turn down the radio for difficult junctions or parking spaces too.

Yes but I have hearing impairment so I suppose I uselip reading as well as hearing aids. I have never stopped wearing masks though, even though since having covid I find it harder.

Oh sorry for being facetious@50ShadesOfCatholic, but this is a ridiculous anti mask thread. If people have disabilities that mean they can't wear masks... don't wear them, you're exempt.
For the rest of you, sorry to interrupt your pity party, but most of the rest of the world has managed to accept masks.

I've found this too op. I think it's to do with being able to filter sound , I can literally only focus on the speaker properly if I can lip read whilst listening.

I have worn glasses most of my life, because of near sightedness and astigmatism.

As a teenager I did competitive swimming. In those days there were no swim goggles, or we didn't wear them if there were. So my eyesight was not great when training.

I had great difficulty hearing the coaches. Because I couldn't see them.

I expect the same happens with face masks. You can't see the mouth and even those of us without hearing impairment use it as an adjunct.

@visitingagain

Oh sorry for being facetious@50ShadesOfCatholic, but this is a ridiculous anti mask thread. If people have disabilities that mean they can't wear masks... don't wear them, you're exempt. For the rest of you, sorry to interrupt your pity party, but most of the rest of the world has managed to accept masks.

No one at all has said they're anti mask. Everyone has in fact said they're wearing them.

I have find it difficult in ways I wouldn't have expected and it is interesting to hear that others have experienced the same.

@visitingagain

Oh sorry for being facetious@50ShadesOfCatholic, but this is a ridiculous anti mask thread. If people have disabilities that mean they can't wear masks... don't wear them, you're exempt. For the rest of you, sorry to interrupt your pity party, but most of the rest of the world has managed to accept masks.

But it isn't anti mask at all. I have no quarrel with wearing a mask. It's nice to talk to other people who experience the same difficulty hearing though.

Sorry , I just read that it's about you wearing a mask not others.

I also cannot hear when there is too much light. If I am struggling to understand what is on TV I turn the lights off and it is much better. I feel pain with taste, sharp pain for example feels salty.

My sister cannot sleep with the lights off, not because she is afraid of the dark but because she feels cold when it is dark.

We are definitely not a normal family.

@50ShadesOfCatholic @QualityChecked if this thread is literally about disabilities I think the title should be changed as it is similar in tone to so many disingenuous anti mask/ anti vax threads on here ... "I don't object to BUT / I'm fully vaccinated BUT .."
if it's truly about hearing loss or difficulties change the title. As it stands it's just an invitation to people who don't like being told what to do.

I also cannot watch tv without subtitles. My hearing is absolutely fine , I just need the extra information to process what I'm hearing.

I find it’s actually easier to hear things wearing a mask if I close my eyes. Which seems counterintuitive. (I’m the same with teleconferencing - it’s easier to follow the conversation with my eyes closed - I’m slightly paranoid that everyone thinks I’m asleep though!)

[quote visitingagain]**@50ShadesOfCatholic* @QualityChecked* if this thread is literally about disabilities I think the title should be changed as it is similar in tone to so many disingenuous anti mask/ anti vax threads on here ... "I don't object to BUT / I'm fully vaccinated BUT .."
if it's truly about hearing loss or difficulties change the title. As it stands it's just an invitation to people who don't like being told what to do.[/quote]
You're being ridiculous.
This isn't an anti anything thread.

I'm so glad you've said this as I'm the same. I also find I have no spatial awareness either and bump into things.

Yes, I have auditory processing disorder too. Such fun!

[quote visitingagain]**@50ShadesOfCatholic* @QualityChecked* if this thread is literally about disabilities I think the title should be changed as it is similar in tone to so many disingenuous anti mask/ anti vax threads on here ... "I don't object to BUT / I'm fully vaccinated BUT .."
if it's truly about hearing loss or difficulties change the title. As it stands it's just an invitation to people who don't like being told what to do.[/quote]
You're gearing up for a fight nobody here is having.

Take it elsewhere.

@penguinwithasuitcase I'm not looking to fight but this is an extremely strange thread of people who wear masks because they aren't exempt but have terrible communication disorders when they do.

Personally would say you are all exempt from mask wearing and should just crack onl

@visitingagain well then say that.

Don't fling around phrases like 'pity party' and call people 'ridiculous' for having an experience you can't get your head around.

If you think it's strange and don't understand, ask questions. Don't be rude.

Yep, it's shit isn't it. I wear a mask at work and happy to start wearing again out and about. I absolutely will NOT be telling my DD and DSil they can't come for Christmas again this year. No no and no.

This bastard disease meant my DM died alone (not covid but in care home).

Just. Fucking. NO

Sorry @penguinwithasuitcase but now you've attracted the just. No . crowd in here because this thread does seem very like an anti mask pity party.

[quote visitingagain]@penguinwithasuitcase I'm not looking to fight but this is an extremely strange thread of people who wear masks because they aren't exempt but have terrible communication disorders when they do.

Personally would say you are all exempt from mask wearing and should just crack onl[/quote]
No one's claiming any disorder or even suggesting that they'll stop wearing a mask, I really can't see what you've taken such exception to. Is it really so hard to grasp that your experience might not be identical to everyone else's?