Masks and music affect the hearing-impaired

As a person with a significant hearing loss, I would like to share my communication concerns. I need to lip read, and masks deny me of this. I am not advocating the removal of masks, but wish that those people who work at cash registers or who will be interacting with customers be supplied with shields that make lips visible.

Also, and equally important, is the background music being played in most establishments. For those of us who are hearing-impaired it interferes drastically with those we wish to interact with. If music must be played then tone it down, make it subtle in the background. I have a cochlear implant in one ear and wear a hearing aid in the other, yet I am rendered impotent when in communication under these circumstances.

Rosemary Brown

Marion