A buyer's guide for selecting the best transparent face mask

With the introduction of various transparent face masks on the market, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all of the options out there. Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to secure the safest and most effective transparent face mask.

Since 2017, ClearMask has worked with expert researchers, designers, and manufacturers to produce the best transparent face mask available. The ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask is the first and only fully transparent, FDA-cleared and CE-marked transparent mask on the market, meeting the highest regulatory and quality standards in the industry with maximum comfort and protection.

Read on to see why the ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask is the leading transparent face mask in the industry, and things to consider when researching a clear mask best for you, including:

• Technical requirements

• Design and visibility

• Availability for purchase

• Customer service

✓ Meets highest technical requirements

Let’s get technical here. In general, it’s extremely important that any masks you purchase meet quality and regulatory standards. You are able to buy with confidence knowing that the purchased masks have gone through extensive laboratory and human studies testing.

ClearMask is proud to offer the first and only FDA-cleared and CE-marked transparent mask on the market. The ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance as a class II medical device by passing through the FDA 510(k) submission process and also meets CE Marking requirements as a Class I medical device under the EU Medical Device Regulation (2017/745).

This means that as part of its clearance, the ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask meets stringent FDA and EU regulatory standards, including ISO13485 manufacturing standards. The mask meets applicable ASTM level 3 standards for fluid resistance and flammability as well as applicable EN 14683 requirements for fluid resistance, microbial cleanliness, and biocompatibility, which offers a high level of protection for medical use in environments such as operating rooms.

✓ Optimal design and visibility

The ClearMask™ brand allows us to see the full face with optimal clarity, showing the entire face, facial expressions, and visual cues. This is important for many people, including deaf and hard of hearing individuals, older people, children, and babies; after all, over half of communication is visual and in the face.

In fact, in a 2021 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association Surgery, 100% of patients whose provider wore the ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask preferred them over opaque masks. Compared to standard masks, patients in the study reported improved communication with the ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Masks, rating their physician significantly higher in providing understandable explanations, demonstrating empathy, and building trust.

Children of all ages observe facial expressions and non-verbal cues from caretakers, teachers, and each other. Blocking visual communication with standard masks can negatively affect children’s speech and language skills, social and emotional learning, and even early brain development. Access to the full face is also important for those who lip read or use sign language. While a face mask with a small window panel exposing the lips can facilitate lip reading, it does not allow visibility from the sides or the entire face and all of its visual cues. A fully transparent face mask like the ClearMask™ eliminates this barrier with its full transparent panel, showcasing the entire face for better communication.

ClearMask also has an advanced anti-fog coating that minimizes fogging when the wearer is speaking or breathing. The anti-fog technology is met with great success when used within indoors settings and is recommended for use at room temperature, in ventilated, low-humidity environments, such as indoor offices or clinics. Like standard paper masks, the ClearMask™ brand is single-use only and is not intended to be reused.

The ClearMask™ is also comfortable and its EZ-Adjuster design allows for a snug fit. The EZ-Adjuster comes with two elastic straps that can be modified for that perfect fit. Most face masks come with ear loops, often putting strain on the ears and creating discomfort over time. The ClearMask’s elastic straps go behind the head and can be tweaked to create the ideal fit. Bonus - the masks are cochlear implant and hearing aid friendly! Be sure to visit our user manual, complete with photos and a demo video in eleven languages.

✓ Widely and readily available

Since Spring 2020, the ClearMask™ brand has been readily available for purchase via our online store with free and expedited shipping options, and has quickly expanded into global markets, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union. ClearMask has been recognized as a solution for many organizations and sectors, including hospitals, colleges and schools, court systems, and so much more.

To date, we’ve sold over 18 million masks worldwide. We’ve provided masks to governments and corporations such as Apple, NASA, the United Kingdom NHS, and even Nintendo! Hospitals and providers such as Duke, Hartford Healthcare, UCHealth, Oregon Health & Science University, and dozens of private practices in audiology, speech-language pathology, and homecare have benefitted from the ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Masks in providing quality care to their patients. Schools and colleges across the country such as Johns Hopkins, Cornell, University of North Dakota, and Saint Joseph’s University, have all found the ClearMask™ suitable for their classrooms, health clinics, and sports games. 

Still not convinced? Check out the reviews for yourself and visit us on social media!

✓ Responsive customer service

We’re here to help. Since ClearMask was founded in 2017, we’ve maintained our overarching goal of helping others and improving accessibility for all. As a deaf-owned, women-owned, and minority-owned business, we recognize the importance of inclusion, equity, and celebrating the ability in each and every individual. 

We take great pride in our exceptional customer service and advocacy efforts. We have a dedicated team of Customer Support agents who are here and ready to assist you, no matter where you are in the buying process. Our comprehensive Help Center contains answers to your questions, ranging from mask-specific questions to shipping information and advocacy tips.

Looking to get in touch with us? Simply submit a request and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

www.theclearmask.com