Transparent masks and remote microphone technology can lead to greater communication and understanding
In April 2022, Chi M. Tran, B.S. and Linda Thibodeau, Ph.D. of The University of Texas at Dallas presented findings from their research at the American Academy of Audiology conference on communication during the pandemic and suggestions on how to improve communication.
“Break through with clear masks and remote microphone technology”
Adult participants with typical hearing were asked to complete six assessments after watching videos of speakers wearing no mask, a standard mask, and a ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask, with and without remote microphone technology.
Tran and Thibodeau calculated the Revised Speech Perception in Noise Test (R-SPIN) scores for:
Assessments without remote microphone technology:
62.7% with a ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask
55.5% with a standard surgical mask
74.6% with no mask
Assessments with remote microphone technology:
93.8% with a ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask
93.2% with a standard surgical mask
92.5% with no mask
Participants felt much more confident with a ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask compared to a standard surgical mask, and even more so with the use of remote microphone technology. Researchers also noted that the concentration effort among the participants was significantly lower with the use of remote microphone technology as they understood speech on a greater level.
A strategy to overcome both noise and face masks
In conclusion, the study found that the use of the ClearMask™ Transparent Surgical Mask paired with remote microphone technology provided a tremendous improvement in speech recognition, both visually and auditorily, leading to greater communication and understanding.
The authors also added that for communication strategies to overcome noise and face masks, the ClearMask™ brand and remote microphone technology are strongly recommended, especially for settings “such as hospitals, workplaces, classrooms, and most currently important, public places during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To learn more, visit here for a video summarizing the study.