Produce visors or masks that don't stop deaf people being able to lipread and pick up on facial cues

[JackiePease]

@calcock01 has put us in touch with an audiologist working with young children and babies. There is currently an issue with deaf people not being able to lip read or pick up on facial cues when masks are worn.

At the moment they’re only working with emergency cases such as new born babies, sudden loss of hearing and cancer cases, but will soon be taking on a more normal workload.

Relevant organisations:are the British Association of Audiology,and RNID
The Facebook page for audiologists is also a good source.

She has seen:

• ClearMask” - this doesn't look to be cleanable
• Visors with breathable fabric bits on the side, some with elastic round the bottom

She'd rather have a reusable solution if possible.

It’s currently only the audiologists who have to wear them, not the patients.

She doesn'tt work with COVID patients, but this might also be worth looking into, as 1 in 7 older people use hearing aids.

I’ve asked her to email me with any more details..

[JackiePease]

Also provided the following link: https://www.baaudiology.org/face-masks-during-covid-19-2/

[JackiePease]

Laura James mentioned https://www.lex18.com/news/coronavirus/college-student-makes-masks-for-the-deaf-hard-of-hearing but there doesn't seem to be much in this area

[JackiePease]

https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/18/should-using-see-face-masks-help-deaf-people-12718864/
http://connect-hear.com/knowledge-base/diy-mask-patterns-with-clear-panel-for-deaf-hard-of-hearing/
https://www.hsdc.org/accessible-deaf-friendly-face-mask/
https://vumc.app.box.com/s/mz234ni6pttox77ppfim9plft7ickj0g?fbclid=IwAR2KKhFJ2vlnxnwqL9z_jPGOOxU7BvY61RJtlXTcTHvQZ7K1eKynMA4ISUM

[JackiePease]

Hot glued face mask (doesn't have panel): https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjR9ZGxlcDpAhUkSRUIHTDcCKIQtwIwAHoECAMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dtj9PobyXk2c&usg=AOvVaw015pQ4A6zqhfvZjqaDQEdo

[JackiePease]

I made "DIY Mask with additional space between Mouth and Shield" from http://connect-hear.com/knowledge-base/diy-mask-patterns-with-clear-panel-for-deaf-hard-of-hearing/

This has a sewn in panel which means that additional holes are being made round the centre of the mask, which might not be ideal. However they should be covered by the fabric.

Perhaps because I used a fairly thick fabric for the prototype, the pipe cleaners used to hold the plastic panel away from the face didn't work particularly well, although it wasn't completely flat.

It does seem that it would be a workable solution with better sewing and a more pliable fabric.

[JackiePease]

We have received a request from another hospital for masks for working with deaf people. They provided the following examples:

These seem quite similar to the prototype above, but don't seem to have anything to hold the clear panel away from the face.

[JackiePease]

I thought of using a vacuum former to produce a 3d plastic panel similar to a blister pack and then punching air holes in the sides (underneath the fabric part).
If anyone has access to a working vacuum former, please get in touch.

[JackiePease]

I created a prototype laser cut plastic panel with edges that can be stuck together to hold the mask away from the face: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/335508f5bf4203aa8191e85b/w/a34aae1e3ba7063808f041a5/e/34de20e1007b27462347182a (this was done quickly and some lines might have been mirrored more than once).
I stuck the outside edges together with red liner tape, then made corresponding holes in surgical masks that were in Room 29 and taped the panels in.
The prototype masks seem quite comfortable, the bottom edge is fairly flat to the face and air can get in through the fabric. There was still a small amount of fogging but not too much.

Things to investigate:

• Use of vacuum former
• Use of slightly bigger masks to make it easier to cover the panels.
• Glue or adhesive layer to stick plastic to fabric

It would be good to get a few improved prototypes together and ask the potential users to look at them.

[JackiePease]

Photos of prototypes:

[drakard]

@JackiePease The FabLab (in Warrington) have a vacuum forming machine and I don't think they would mind you using it to make prototypes.

[JackiePease]

@drakard Thanks - Do you have details of the best person to get in touch with?

[JackiePease]

I have heard back from Paul at Warrington Fablab, who do have a heat former, and will try to sort out a visit.
I have arranged to collect some scraps of non-woven gown material from Mary L on Tuesday at 10am for testing (assuming we will be able to get more from the hospital once we hear back from them).
Mary D and I spent some time trying different ways to stick the layers of fabric and clear plastic together. Carpet tape works better than red liner tape, but heat would be better for connecting the layers (the fabric melts well and sticks with an fabric iron, but electronic soldering irons wouldn't do a low enough temperature). I emailed Richard D to see if they had anything that does this - they do have a glue machine that might be able to do a similar job..

[JackiePease]

Latest mask with carpet tape.
This surgical mask isn't wide enough to fit over the plastic panel, but they do come in bigger sizes.

[JackiePease]

Just seen this disposable mask (currently sold out), with a clear panel: https://safenclear.com/

[JackiePease]

@amcewen spotted this design: ysharonpeng.net/face-masks