Life without barriers: Man makes see-through masks to help deaf and hard of hearing communicate

[Michie]

“The mask is required. But it is a barrier. Why don’t we adopt this idea of masks with a window for open communication?"


When Asli Knowles saw Dr. Brian Travers’ clear masks on Instagram she had to have one. Knowles works at a grocery store and wanted people to see her face. And, she wanted to communicate with deaf and hard of hearing customers without risking their health. When she requested a mask, Travers’ felt so moved that he wrote a letter to her managers.

“Alsi texted, ‘I like to smile, and I think this pandemic is making everyone upset and I want to make my customers happy with my smile,’” the 53-year-old Florida resident wrote in the letter. “Alsi’s reason for wanting my clear, see-through facial covering with a plastic window is the most selfless reason I have ever come across. She is clearly an asset to her organization.”

Continued below.
Life without barriers: Man makes see-through masks to help deaf communicate

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

I saw those on Amazon. I was thinking of someone I used to know who was such a good lip-reader that few people realized she was even deaf. I could only imagine what this must be like for her.

 

[Bob Crowley]

The face masks do make it difficult to hear. I speak as a person with a hearing loss.

Even just going to the dentist is a bit of a trial. They wear face masks here as a routine hygiene measure.

When he's lying his head off and saying "This won't hurt a bit!", I go "What? I can't hear you through the mask".

After asking him to repeat the message ten times, I feel like I've gotten some payback.