Any one else lose their sense of space wearing a mask?

[Gearedtoyou]

Is that what I mean? I can't "feel" my position in the same way as usual, I'm more likely to bump into things and I can't judge distance.

I was on the tube at the weekend, dutifully wearing my mask at all times, but the escalators were really scary, I couldn't judge where I was putting my feet!

Yes, I get clumsy too.

Its your peripheral vision isn't it? I do know what you mean about escalators, stairs etc when wearing them.
I walked into a box that was put on the office floor when wearing my mask the other day.

Yes! I really struggle to manage stairs wearing a mask because I’m missing part of my vision. The main stairs at work are curved. I can’t negotiate them wearing a mask. I have to use the back stairs (fire escape) instead and go very slowly.

Yes! Especially on stairs. I end up coming down like a toddler - step down with 2 foot and then put the other foot on the same set.
My family think I'm exaggerating

@CiaoForDiNiaoSaur

Yes! Especially on stairs. I end up coming down like a toddler - step down with 2 foot and then put the other foot on the same set. My family think I'm exaggerating

Hee hee at first I thought you meant on your bum!

^Hee hee at first I thought you meant on your bum!

I've been tempted

Another dyspraxic here and I really struggle with the loss of peripheral vision. I also keep meaning to get my hearing checked because I struggle to hear people when they are wearing masks too. I have been told dyspraxia means I can be mask exempt and after the current bruise covering half my thigh from walking into a table I'm seriously considering it.

I have to pull my mask down to walk down stairs or escalators, as I can't see down properly otherwise to co-ordinate where my feet are going. Not dyspraxic that I'm aware of but I easily get vertigo on stairs and down escalators.

Yes, I really struggle with depth perception.

I have no idea why, after all the mask doesn’t cover my eyes.

But I have fallen down stairs twice, and tripped on kerbs many times, while wearing one.

Me too. I'm affected by this. I pull my mask down now when walking down stairs as I've come close to tripping a few times. It's too much of a hazard for me to keep wearing a mask in this instance than trying to comply with mask wearing.
They also make me forgetful, clumsy etc. They definitely dull my senses and can't concentrate properly. When people say it's not a big deal having to wear a mask that's not the case for me. I hate them, but still wear them when it's compulsory (except walking down stairs).

Yes me too , no idea why. I’m not the most spatially aware person anyway but it’s very odd. I find it hard to judge distance and knock things over for example knocked something off a checkout last week .

Same here, i fees disoriented and it affects my hearing for some reason.

Yes makes me very clumsy

Have you all tried masks with a proper nose wire and a tight fit?

I wear FFP2 masks on the tube and it doesn't get in front of my eyes at all because it fits so well around my nose. No steaming up of glasses either (and it's obviously better protective as there aren't massive gaps).

I feel like a cat who has had their whiskers cut off

Yes I feel disorientated wearing mine and a bit lightheaded sometimes.

I find this happens if I'm wearing a white medical mask. Not if I'm wearing a black fabric mask.

I think it's something to do with whether I can see the mask while I'm wearing it.

I always thought this was just me!

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

Same here, i fees disoriented and it affects my hearing for some reason.

You probably need your hearing checked. I knew mine was going when I realised that without my contacts or glasses I couldn’t hear. It’s because I was, without realising it, relying on lip reading .

My DD did all her driving lessons and her driving test wearing a mask. It didn’t seem to bother her. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t manage that!

@nordica - I’m losing part of my peripheral vision that isn’t covered by the mask. In fact, wearing one triggers something very reminiscent of my initial migraine symptoms (fortunately without the subsequent splitting headache and nausea). My hearing becomes slightly muffled and my vision closes in. I lose the edges - not just at the bottom (where my mask is), but the sides and top too.

@Scarby9

I find stairs really challenging in a mask.

Yes this. And having tripped down some stairs wearing one, I'm afraid I now push it down on stairs and escalators.

I'm ok walking in a straight line, but if I have to bend down to speak/wrestle with toddler DD in a shop the combination of changing bag, bump, leaving and lack of peripheral vision makes me feel like I'm going to tip over

*leaning

Oh I thought it was just me! I feel really disoriented and since wearing them feel very jumpy in public places.

You probably need your hearing checked. I knew mine was going when I realised that without my contacts or glasses I couldn’t hear. It’s because I was, without realising it, relying on lip reading

Thank you, it is a good idea and I it certainly won't hurt to do it.

I'm fine on the phone though, it just feels that I can hear, but the mask somehow prevents me from using that, if that makes sense.