Hearing Aids How Does Covid-19
Directly Affect People With Hearing Problems?

Dealing With Covid-19 Along With Hearing Loss Is Challenging

Wearing a mask softens speech and does not allow people to read lips. If you have a hearing problem, this is a real obstacle to communicating with people. Some solutions:

• Ask the person to speak up or rephrase the sentence. Sometimes that is enough.
• If feasible, move the conversation to an area that has less background noise.
• Ask the person to write down what they are saying.

Protecting Yourself and Your Hearing Aids during COVID-19

During COVID-19, you need your mask and your hearing aids. Here are some tips for living with both:

• Make sure your mask fits properly. If it’s too tight, it can pull your ears forward and make your hearing aids less effective.
• Opt for a mask that ties behind your head or one that has thin ear straps. Thick straps behind your ears take up the space needed for your hearing aids.
• Be careful not to dislodge your hearing aids when you take off your mask.

Steps We Are Taking To Protect Our Patients and Our Staff

• We limit the number of people in the office.
• Masks are required by patients and staff.
• After each patient, we clean and disinfect the office and equipment.
• We ask that when you arrive to call before entering.
• We stay up to date with all CDC recommendations about safe practices during a pandemic.
• We do not see patients with fever, respiratory symptoms or other indicators of illness.