Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the wearing of a face masks/coverings (unless exempt) is now mandatory in most situations in the UK, however wearing a face mask/covering can result in communication problems.

Researchers at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the University are leading the way in research to develop new face masks/coverings to tackle communication problems associated with their use.

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Researchers; Professor Kevin Munro and Dr Michael Stone have led the way in highlighting the challenges of face mask use for people with a hearing impairment and have written an article about it here

They have now received funding by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BSRC), for their study ‘Improved face-worn PPE designs for use by the public and professionals to reduce audio-visual communication difficulties’.

The project will produce a new design for a re-usable, freely available mask. It will be co-produced by experts from across the North West in hearing health, sound engineering, materials and manufacturing experts, as well as people from the deaf community.

Read more about it here