The widespread use of face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic has created communication challenges for many individuals, particularly for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and for those who must speak through masks in suboptimal conditions. This study includes some newer mask options as well as transparent masks to help those who depend on lipreading and other facial cues. The results corroborate earlier published results for non-transparent masks, but transparent options have greater attenuation, resonant peaks, and deflect sounds in ways that non-transparent masks do not. Although transparent face coverings have poorer acoustic performance, the presence of visual cues remains important for both verbal and non-verbal communication. Fortunately, there are creative solutions and technologies available to overcome audio and/or visual barriers caused by face coverings.
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April 2021
April 02 2021
Acoustic effects of non-transparent and transparent face coveringsa)
Special Collection:
COVID-19 Pandemic Acoustic Effects
Samuel R. Atcherson;
Samuel R. Atcherson
b)
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
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B. Renee McDowell;
B. Renee McDowell
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
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Morgan P. Howard
Morgan P. Howard
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
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b)
Electronic mail: [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0001-8330-9078.
a)
This paper is part of a special issue on Covid-19 Pandemic Acoustic Effects.
J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 149, 2249–2254 (2021)
Article history
Received:
November 13 2020
Accepted:
March 12 2021
Citation
Samuel R. Atcherson, B. Renee McDowell, Morgan P. Howard; Acoustic effects of non-transparent and transparent face coverings. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1 April 2021; 149 (4): 2249–2254. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0003962
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