Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of wearing a face mask on word recognition in hearing-impaired listeners.
Design: Word recognition scores were obtained in quiet and in different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs 0, +5, and +10 dB) using two listening conditions (with N95 mask and with no-mask).
Study Sample: Participants were forty-six listeners with normal hearing sensitivity and thirty-nine listeners with mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss.
Results: Results showed that wearing a face mask affected word recognition and that this effect was greater for listeners with hearing impairment than that observed for listeners with normal hearing sensitivity. The extent of this effect was also dependent on the SNR conditions such that the effect of wearing a face mask was worse in adverse listening conditions.
Conclusions: Overall, this study demonstrated that face mask can disrupt speech intelligibility possibly by degrading some acoustical features which may pose substantial difficulties for those with hearing impairment.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2045366 | DOI Listing |
J Clin Med
December 2024
Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14, 43125 Parma, Italy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of preparedness in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, especially in Emergency Departments (EDs), where initial patient assessments and triage occur. This study aims to evaluate the current practices and available tools for infection control in Pediatric EDs across Italy, focusing on the differences between various hospital types and regional settings. A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in February 2022, targeting healthcare workers in Pediatric EDs across Italy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
December 2024
School of Communication, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the use of well-fitting face masks or respirators as a strategy to reduce respiratory transmission; however, acceptance and utilization of face masks quickly became a contentious, politically charged matter. Given the effectiveness of masking against respiratory viruses, it is critical to understand the various normative factors and personal values associated with mask wearing. To this end, this study reports the findings of an online, cross-sectional survey ( = 1231) of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancers (Basel)
December 2024
Aix-Marseille Univ CNRS, ADES, 13015 Marseille, France.
Treatments for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) often result in significant aesthetic and functional issues, impacting patients' quality of life (QoL). The COVID-19 pandemic's mask mandates may have provided psychosocial benefits by concealing facial disfigurements, potentially reducing stigma. This study aimed to assess the impact of mask-wearing on the QoL of patients surgically treated for OSCC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Otorhinolaryngol Ital
December 2024
Audiology and Phoniatrics Service, ENT Department, University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Objectives: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic required the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in medical and social contexts to reduce exposure and prevent pathogen transmission. This study aims to analyse possible changes in voice and speech parameters with and without PPE.
Methods: Speech samples using different types of PPE were obtained.
Plant Physiol Biochem
January 2025
Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address:
The accumulation of disposable face masks (DFMs) has become a significant threat to the environment due to extensive use during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this research, we investigated the degradation of DFMs after their disposal in landfills. We replicated the potential degradation process of DFMs, including exposure to sunlight before subjecting them to synthetic landfill leachate (LL).
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