Advice for audibly impaired during lockdown

Tips on how to communicate with face masks are being given for those who may be audibly impaired.

Manx Deaf Society says face coverings can be particularly challenging for those with hearing loss and is sharing tips from the Ida Institute to make things more manageable.

Among the advice is, whilst being mindful of social distancing, rephrasing sentences for those who may struggle to hear it first time, eliminate background noise and moving to a quieter space to talk if possible.

Other tips include being patient with others as masks can muffle sounds, speaking loudly and clearly without shouting and consider using a speech-to-text interpreter as another form of communication.