How great is the negative impact of masking and social distancing and how can we enhance communication skills in the elderly people?

Brotto, Davide; Sorrentino, Flavia; Agostinelli, Anna; Lovo, Elisa; Montino, Silvia; Trevisi, Patrizia; Favaretto, Niccolò; Bovo, Roberto

doi:10.1007/s40520-021-01830-1

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…This can be tellingly seen with the emotional state of anger, which was better recognizable when faces were masked. Only the recognition of disgust was indeed dramatically affected, calling for effective and easy to implement countermeasures: In situations where disgust is aimed to be expressed, this should be accompanied by explicit and clearly pronounced verbal wording and, by nature and in daily routines already implemented, by a clear body language showing resistance and retreat (see Brotto et al, 2021). Mheidly et al (2020) developed a sophisticated set of coping measures to enhance communication with face masks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Face Masks on the Emotional Reading Abilities of Children—A Lesson From a Joint School–University Project

Carbon

Serrano²

2021

i-Perception

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Wearing face masks has become a usual practice in acute infection events inducing the problem of misinterpreting the emotions of others. Empirical evidence about face masks mainly relies on adult data, neglecting, for example, school kids who firmly are dependent on effective nonverbal communication. Here we offer insights from a joint school–university project. Data indicate that emotional reading of 9 to 10 years old pupils ( N = 57) was similarly impaired as adults on an overall performance level, but that their selective performance on specific emotions was quite different. Kids showed extreme problems in reading the emotion disgust, strong effects on fear and sadness, and only mild effects on happiness, but also even better performances for emotional states anger and neutral when faces were masked. This project did gain not only relevant data about children’s perception but also made clear how fruitful seriously conducted school projects can be to encourage the interest and commitment for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-relevant topics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Face Masks on the Emotional Reading Abilities of Children—A Lesson From a Joint School–University Project

Carbon

Serrano²

2021

i-Perception

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“…Recent studies indicate that for N95 respirators and surgical masks, sound reduction ranges from 3 dB to 12 dB (Atcherson et al, 2017 ; Corey, Jones, & Singer, 2020 ; Goldin et al, 2020 ; Wolfe et al, 2020 ). This, therefore, significantly decreases speech recognition for all individuals, particularly so for individuals with hearing loss (Brotto et al, 2021 ; Rahne, Fröhlich, Plontke, & Wagner, 2021 ). Fiorella, Cavallaro, Di Nicola and Quaranta ( 2021 ) maintained that the propagation of sound waves is altered when an individual speaks while wearing a mask, with certain spectral components of the acoustic energy signal being filtered or attenuated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The masks are reported to also alter consonant intelligibility, and discrimination of unfamiliar speech sounds is also compromised (Corey et al, 2020 ; Fiorella et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, masks obstruct facial expressions and lip movements, which are critical sources of nonverbal communication (Brotto et al, 2021 ; Homans & Vroegop, 2021 ). Additionally, face masks are reported to impact on the content of the information being communicated (Saunders, Jackson, & Visram, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A proposed artificial intelligence-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translator for South African official languages for the COVID-19 era and beyond: In pursuit of solutions for the hearing impaired

Madahana

Khoza-Shangase

Moroe

et al. 2022

SAJCD

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Background: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in communication being heightened as one of the critical aspects in the implementation of interventions. Delays in the relaying of vital information by policymakers have the potential to be detrimental, especially for the hearing impaired.Objectives: This study aims to conduct a scoping review on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation and consequently propose an AI-based real-time translation solution for South African languages from speech-to-text to sign language.Methods: Electronic bibliographic databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE and ProQuest were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications published in English between 2019 and 2021 that provided evidence on AI-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation as a solution for the hearing impaired. This review was done as a precursor to the proposed real-time South African translator.Results: The review revealed a dearth of evidence on the adoption and/or maximisation of AI and machine learning (ML) as possible solutions for the hearing impaired. There is a clear lag in clinical utilisation and investigation of these technological advances, particularly in the African continent.Conclusion: Assistive technology that caters specifically for the South African community is essential to ensuring a two-way communication between individuals who can hear clearly and individuals with hearing impairments, thus the proposed solution presented in this article.

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“…Existing research on the impact of face masks on communication and interaction is principally focused on a general ‘healthy’ population, those with hearing loss or mental health needs. Experts have raised concerns about the impact of face masks on older and cognitively impaired patients (Brotto et al., 2021 ; Gil & Arroyo‐Anlló, 2021 ; Schlögl & Jones, 2020 ) and within specific clinical environments (Freeman‐Sanderson, Rose & Brodsky, 2020 ; McCarthy, O'Donovan & Trace, 2020 ). A scoping review of literature by Marler and Ditton ( 2021 ) identifies a range of issues related to mask wearing which can be applied in particular to pwCD, and Knollman‐Porter and Burshnic ( 2020 ) have acknowledged the additional communication barrier that masks present, suggesting compensatory strategies such as speech modification strategies, gesture, and written and picture supports.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Masking care: A qualitative investigation of the impact of face masks on the experience of stroke rehabilitation from the perspective of staff and service users with communication difficulties

Broomfield

Clay

2022

Intl J Lang & Comm Disor

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Background Face mask use has become widespread as a means of reducing transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Research suggests face coverings can impact speech discrimination, therapeutic alliance and the interpretation of non‐verbal cues. However, there is little research into the impact of face masks on people with communication difficulties (pwCD) post‐stroke. Aims To explore the perspectives of service users and staff on a stroke rehabilitation unit in order to understand the impact of staff wearing face masks on the experience of rehabilitation for pwCD. Strategies that might improve the experience of rehabilitation for pwCD were also explored. Methods & Procedures Semi‐structured interviews and a focus group were conducted with six pwCD and five health professionals (HPs) on a stroke rehabilitation unit. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Outcomes & Results Four main interacting themes were identified from the data: (1) face masks as a barrier to effective communication; (2) face masks as a barrier to human connection and therapeutic relationships; (3) the impact of face masks on an individual is influenced by multiple internal and external factors; and (4) there is a need for service provision to evolve to meet pwCD's needs when using face masks. Conclusions & Implications Findings shed light on how face masks can act as a barrier for pwCD within the rehabilitative process, and emphasize that each individual with communication difficulties is likely to be affected to a differing extent, as a result of multiple interacting factors. HPs are encouraged to consider the individual holistically, tailor strategies and adapt to each individual's needs. Further research is required to understand how to optimize rehabilitation outcomes when face masks are used. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on the subject There is evidence face masks can affect speech discrimination, therapeutic alliance and interpretation of non‐verbal cues. The existing literature predominantly considers people with hearing impairments, mental health needs or the general public. The potential for face masks to impact pwCD post‐stroke is high, given pre‐existing communication barriers and evidence of increased social isolation. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study is the first of its kind to explore how face mask use by HPs impacts the experience of rehabilitation for pwCD post‐stroke. The authors consider the need to tailor compensatory strategies to each individual and adapt them to meet service users’ needs. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? HPs should monitor closely the impact of face mask use on pwCD with whom they are working, and consider what adaptations to ...

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How great is the negative impact of masking and social distancing and how can we enhance communication skills in the elderly people?

Cited by 19 publications

References 19 publications

The Impact of Face Masks on the Emotional Reading Abilities of Children—A Lesson From a Joint School–University Project

The Impact of Face Masks on the Emotional Reading Abilities of Children—A Lesson From a Joint School–University Project

A proposed artificial intelligence-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translator for South African official languages for the COVID-19 era and beyond: In pursuit of solutions for the hearing impaired

Masking care: A qualitative investigation of the impact of face masks on the experience of stroke rehabilitation from the perspective of staff and service users with communication difficulties

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