One thing about masks I've discovered. Sometimes the mask makes it

[raccoon]

Hard to understand what the Masked person is saying.
I noticed this a few days ago when I had to ask a receptionist to repeat herself.

BIG LOUD DISCLAIMER: I am NOT suggesting anyone go maskless because of this. I’m suggesting take this into account and try to speak more clearly because of this. Especially if speaking to someone who’s chronologically gifted.

[tanyev]

1. That's why you do this.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213390660


Edit to add: Do NOT do that.

[NewDayOranges]

2. This happens because everyone reads lips as well as

Listens to a person speak. When the mouth is covered/hidden, it's difficult to figure out what a person is saying without benefit of lip-reading..

[tblue37]

5. A lot of us deafies depend on lip reading. nt

[ChazInAz]

12. That's right.

After many delays, my dentist felt confident enough of her safety protocols to reopen her practice. I had to remind her that I couldn't understand her with half her face covered all the time by a N95 mask. (Something of a loss. She's very good-looking!) She slowed down her speech and enunciated more carefully for me. Higher-pitched voices are difficult for me, alas.

[tblue37]

13. My dentist and dental hygienists always wear masks, so when I remind them I can't wear

my hearing aids during procedures with loud, screaming machines near my face, they are very good about pulling down their masks when they need to say something to me. (Of course, I am referring to before the pandemic. I haven't been to the dentist since the pandemic started.)

[ChazInAz]

14. That's the case

My dentist and her team did the same for me before the plague for the same reasons. Hearing aids don't mix well with drills, suckers and hypersonic cleaning tools!
Now they have to resort to theatrical level diction and projection!

[Ohiogal]

3. I had to ask a stocker in Walmart

where an item was that I could not find. He was an older guy. I was masked up and he wasn’t He said he couldn’t understand what I said ( my fault since wearing a mask is still a learning experience for me). so he comes up real close to me and asks me to repeat myself! Argh. I backed up but not till he had spoken to me since it all happened so fast.

Since that happened, Walmart has required all their employees to wear masks, thank goodness.

[Throck]

4. Just slow down.

If you slow down and enunciate your words it's not a problem.

[DesertRat]

11. Unless the person is hard of hearing and also relies on reading lips

[niyad]

6. A good reminder. I noticed the other day that I had to repeat myself several times to a clerk I

know well, and with whom I normally do not have this problem. My voice is fairly quiet anyway, so The mask makes it more so. I will keep that in mind..

[bigtree]

7. so many folks I see are taking down their masks to speak

...AHHHH!

[niyad]

8. "chronologically gifted". Love it.

[sl8]

9. Clear masks:

Masks with clear panels are available, just for that reason.

I don't gave any personal experience with them.

Here's the first, of many, that came up in a Google search:

[JohnnyRingo]

10. I've realized how much I used to lip read.

Didn't know until now. Sure, I'm hard of hearing, but I need to see someone or I miss things.