FACE MASK: THE EMERGING ISSUES.

Wear a mask campaign is the way to go to help slow down the spread of coronavirus within your country and the world at large. It is my responsibility to wear a mask to protect you, and your responsibility to wear a mask to protect me as well as our collective responsibility to wear mask to protect the community.

Nonetheless, the emerging problem from wearing face mask especially the ear loop ones (elastic face mask) cannot be overlooked. It must be a concern if we want to fight this biological enemy together who’s making this world uncomfortable for you and me. This emerging problem is the ear pain related to the use of ear loops face mask (elastic face mask) for longer period of time during the day.

This pain around the external ear ( ear lobe/pinna) is as a result of the pressure exerted by elastic face mask directly on the back of the ears for a longer period of time.

What is the solution to this problem!

1. One can wrap the face mask’s elastic straps around the clip rather than your ears to relieve direct pressure on the back of the ears.

2. Use a headband with buttons to create an alternative place to hook the elastic straps of the face mask rather than the ears to reduce pressure on the ears.

3. Put on face mask baseball cap and use it to hook the elastic straps of the face mask to relieve pressure on the ears.

4. Also, one can wrap the elastic straps of the face mask around the buttons of the scrub cap to reduce pressure on the ears.

5. The elastic ear straps if possible can be secured over the hair at the top of your head to relieve pressure on the ears.

6. Additionally, one can use tape or sizable rope to connect to the elastic straps of the face mask and make a knot at the back of the head to reduce the pressure on the ears.

7. Last but not least, use non-elastic face mask if possible.

Communicating when wearing a face mask.

1. Speak slowly and at a normal volume.

2. Take turns when speaking.

3. Minimize background noise.

4. Face each other at safe distance ( at least arm stretched distance).

5. Ensure those using hearing aids have them on.

6. Do not talk while walking.

7. Do not shout because it can be painful to a person with hearing loss.

Sources.

1. https://www.health.com>how-t…

2.https://www.nurse.org

3. https://www.healthyhearing.com