National Deaf Children’s Society urges NHS trusts to use clear face masks

In letter sent to every trust in England, charity says standard masks create serious communication barrier for deaf patients

The National Deaf Children's Society has written to every NHS trust in England urging them to start using transparent face masks because standard ones create a serious communication barrier" for deaf patients.

The letters, co-signed by the British Academy of Audiology, said deaf patients could miss vital information about their health" as opaque masks make lip reading impossible and facial expressions difficult to read.