When wearing a mask is a necessity to prevent further spread of COVID-19, deaf and hard of hearing students are often left in the lurch.
“It’s very difficult to talk to people when their mouths are covered because I have to lip-read, but also because our voices are always slightly muffled,” Grace Harrington, a journalism major who is hard of hearing, said.
More than 19% of U.S. undergraduate students have disabilities, and of that group, one in 25 has a hearing deficit, according to the National Deaf Center.
For students like Cameron Cornelio, a sophomore intelligence and cyber operations major who has a hearing deficit, dealing with the communication barrier that masks present is not worth the effort.
“I’ve just tried to avoid going out and having interactions because I can’t hear people at all,” Cornelio said. “Having to repeatedly ask them the same question or asking them to repeat themselves, it just sort of gets a little embarrassing.”
Harrington shares similar sentiments, saying that while it’s probably better that people wear masks, it’s very frustrating.
In an attempt to combat this problem, companies have created masks that have clear windows. However, Harrington said she can’t force others to wear the clear masks even if she wears one, so the problem persists.
“I know that they might be uncomfortable,” Cornelio said about the clear masks, “[but] in the few interactions that I’ve had with people who wear those, it’s made it a lot easier.”
Both Harrington and Cornelio urge others to be more patient and understanding, and to try not to react negatively. Harrington also asks others to keep their masks on, even with the communication barrier.
One positive in the pandemic, Cornelio said, is that online classes have actually made it easier for her to learn. Because everyone is muted when the instructor is speaking, there aren’t side conversations that make it more difficult for her to hear.
Lisa Toft, director of USC’s Disability Services and Programs, says the university can provide remote sign language and captioning services during classes for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
In honor of Disabilities Awareness Month throughout October, DSP is also hosting disability-themed events to spread awareness. Deaf and hard of hearing students can also visit DSP or the National Deaf Center for more resources.
“The masks are very difficult in that sense, but kind of unavoidable.” Harrington said, “But I’ll be happy when we don’t have to wear them anymore.”