‘Months of face mask misery’ ahead for deaf people as only a quarter of the public know how to communicate with them

The UK’s 12 million deaf adults and 50,000 deaf children have “months of face mask misery” ahead because three in four people don’t know how to communicate with them, new research suggests.

Although lots of different communication techniques exist, the National Deaf Children’s Society’s latest poll of 2,027 adults showed just 23% knew how to communicate with a deaf person when wearing a face mask.

The charity said that the results were very concerning, because while public health must take priority, deaf people would be left facing an even higher risk of isolation and loneliness.

The poll, carried out by YouGov, also showed that the problem is far from unique to deaf people, with 89% of people saying they also struggle to understand someone in a face mask. One in five (21%) said it happens most or all of the time.

However, the results also show positive news for deaf people because the general public are clearly very willing to help improve the situation.

Four in five (84%) said they would change their behaviour if it would help a deaf person, while 68% would lower their mask on public transport to speak to a deaf person, as permitted under Government guidelines.

As a result, the National Deaf Children’s Society is calling on people everywhere to “play their part” in helping include deaf people feel included in conversations and social interactions, which it says everyone will benefit from.

The charity is also urging the general public to read its five top tips for communicating with deaf people, which include using clear face masks, writing things down and using apps to translate speech to text.

It says that if the Government and businesses also help publicise the tips, the increased awareness will make a huge difference to deaf people’s lives.

Susan Daniels OBE, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society said:

“These results will be very concerning for the UK’s 12 million deaf adults and 50,000 deaf children.

“Face masks and coverings have made lip reading impossible and if people don’t know how else to talk to us, even everyday events like going to work or school, visiting shops and taking public transport can be quite intimidating.

“However, what the public lack in knowledge they are making up for in enthusiasm and we must capitalise on this.

“My message to deaf people of all ages is to let someone know when you’re struggling to understand them because there’s a clear and widespread willingness to help you.

“The Government, businesses and the general public also need to play their part by taking our tips on board and helping us reach as many people as possible.

“A little deaf awareness will go a long way towards tackling the months of isolation and loneliness many deaf people are now facing.”

James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive of SignHealth, said:

“These are difficult times for everyone, but face masks have brought new challenges for us as deaf people. When we can’t read someone’s lips or see their facial expressions, it really increases the communication barriers we face.

“However, while these statistics reveal a lack of knowledge, they also show just how willing people are to help. This cannot be underestimated and we’d ask everyone not just to read these tips, but to use them whenever they speak to a deaf person. It really will make all the difference.”