Talking tips to combat ‘mask misunderstandings’
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a number of challenges, including normal, everyday communication.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2020/07/26dhaudiologist1_27296.jpg)
WEARING a mandatory masks in public presents communication challenges for speakers and listeners.
Heidi Allan, an uMhlanga-based audiologist and speech-language therapist who has been practicing for more than 30 years, said cloth masks distort the quality of speech, making it very difficult for the listener to decode sounds.
ALSO READ: Covid-19 deaths rare in children, NICD confirms
“This significantly changes the meaning of communication and the way in which we would respond and act. Secondly, the volume of speech is affected with wearing a cloth mask, making it difficult for those with even minimal changes in hearing to effectively understand what is being said and often requiring the speaker to increase the volume of their voice, putting a strain on their vocal chords,” she said.
In addition to this, Allan said we all rely on lip-reading to an extent even with normal hearing.
“We ‘fill in the gaps’ by watching the speaker’s face for visual cues that help us not only understand the sounds of words being used, but also the intent behind the communication which is transmitted by facial expressions,” said Allan.
ALSO READ: Covid-19 deaths force city of Durban to secure burial land
Masks also disturb non-verbal communication which plays a vital role in understanding tone and meaning.
“Sarcasm and humour are transmitted by our tone and in what we do with our faces, and not being able to clearly see a speakers face, makes it very hard to interpret what a person means or how they feel when they are speaking. This often leads to a breakdown in communication as we misunderstand or misinterpret what the speaker means,” said Allan.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.