Are clear masks helpful? [CC]

[@eilishf6005]

I think "hearing is hard" is my new favourite way to referring to my hearing loss now.

[@ameliaford4338]

It deserves merch!

[@hopegold883]

Also, combine this with the last comment, and it’s true for all Americans. Just add a pic of our pres.

[@MB-gs3lz]

It reminds me of the merch of the channel Evan and Kaitlyn 'words are hard' which would fit perfectly for Claudia! :)

[@blisles7626]

Not sure there is a name for it but for me it's more like processing sound is hard. I can hear things but if there's a lot of different sounds, they don't even have to be loud, I struggle to understand what's going on. To the point of in lectures I can't process things if there's people whispering or lots of paper rustling because I'll zone out and not follow what's going on. Edit: it is true. Words are hard.

[@custard6548]

same lol

[@JesperDramsch]

Everyone watching outside of Britain, remember that "sign language" is not international.

[@radish-xd6zz]

I was just wondering how different ASL is from other forms of sign....

[@serenamaria6989]

I seem to remember Jessica did a video with a friend from the US about the differences between BSL & ASL but I'm not sure if it was on Jessica's channel or her friends.

[@zucchinigreen]

We know. I'm from Trinidad and Tobago and we have TTSL.

[@mendysherwood3162]

Acually American sign language is closer to French sign language than British! The ASL alphabet is almost exactly the same as the French sign alphabet!

[@reachandler3655]

It's not just different countries with differences in sign language. There's also regional variations, signs in Birmingham (UK) are different to many in Derby for example.

[@rebeccamartens4192]

As someone with hearing loss, I didn't realize how reliant I was on lip-reading until COVID.

[@OK-hi5ym]

SAME!!! I remember the first time I went to the grocery store and everything was confusing and different and all the staff telling you what to do were wearing masks and I was just standing there like “you are definitely talking to me but I have literally not a clue what you said” I just kept saying “what” over and over. I now have to bring someone with me who can hear fine or just straight up say (probably too loudly but I can’t tell 🤷🏻‍♀️) “I’m sorry I can’t hear/understand you” and luckily they can normally just gesture or point. But honestly I’ve found myself ordering groceries online and picking them up so I don’t have to deal with the hassle of the store

[@Greengiraffe10]

I feel the same. I keep unconsciously stepping closer to people to compensate for not being able to lip read and it’s just all bad. 😔

[@CatBarefield]

I don’t have hearing loss but i do rely on lip reading a lot more than i thought... not entirely sure why

[@erinpeterson3202]

i have a processing disorder and had the same discovery!

[@TechBearSeattle]

I feel you. My problem is not hearing but in processing: my brain has trouble disentangling meaningful language from background noise. I've known this for years, but it is only now that I've realized how much I have relied on lip reading when out in public.

[@ashenwalls3558]

I didn't realise how bad my hearing is until everyone around me was wearing masks. I've had trouble fully hearing people for a while, but WOW not being able to see people's faces, plus the muffling effect, made things waaay harder!

[@TheWipal]

it's so funny, a few times in my life ive said something along the lines of "wait, what'd you say? i cant see." to friends and family when im not wearing glasses, they're confused but really, all the senses work together! 🤣

[@noranberry]

Yes absolutely! Chatting with my dad with his mask on was nearly impossible. I have hearing loss in my left ear and ended up moving to the other side, which helped. But he also mumbles.

[@ashavila7999]

I agree. It's made everything more difficult.

[@dramaqueenlp]

Same.

[@isabellezachary9917]

Same. I always knew I relied on it a bit but WOW hearing really is hard

[@Shenan-again]

“Then again 40% of my audience is American” 😂😂😂 i just about died

[@lelalu101]

Ugh yes

[@lizard3479]

I felt that so hard. “Sorry, guys.”

[@chapplepeach29]

😂😂😂

[@majiaqua6670]

SAME😂😂

[@fablefear]

“I just about died” that’s us in America 😔

[@kayleehog]

I never thought about this before but as someone with ADHD I have a tendency to not only talk quickly, but to change subjects semi-naturally without realizing it. The conversation will start as an answer to my favorite fruit take a detour through three different slightly related topics and then end in a story about my mom that has no relation to the original topic but was related to the topic before it. I don’t even realize I’m changing topics when I’m changing them so I can see how a person who relies on lip reading may have trouble talking to me.

[@stormagedon3852]

I had this exact same thought while watching this, I'm going to make a conscious effort to be careful to stay on track around the people with hearing difficulties that I know, but I'd never really considered it before

[@MissCaraMint]

I have ADHD and do the same. I'm also dealing with hearing issues... great combination. Hopefully It's a temporary issue.

[@Firedeath25]

I was thinking something similar with my tendency to change my speech patterns. I'm American but I watch/listen to a lot of international stuff and I have a bad habit of randomly saying a word/sentence with a different accent or using a non-native phrase

[@thebigvee137]

@@Firedeath25 same. Also I have a lot friends from different parts of the US and one of my British friends told me after I had been talking to my friend from Texas that I all the sudden had a Texas accent which I had no clue that I had just gained.

[@larkhaven1582]

@@thebigvee137 it's kind of interesting how we tend to adapt to the way people we are with speak. accents, speech patterns, specific words, etc. when I#m with my swiss friend or people who speak with Swabian accent I kinda adapt to that. also got the habit of adding a "no?" after questions cause french people i had around me during voluntary service used to do that xD

[@Leena79]

I realised an interesting thing watching this video: I'm on the autism spectrum, and for me, understanding if people are serious or joking is also difficult, only for different reasons. I can hear just fine, but often fail to read the facial expressions, unless I'm talking to someone I know well. Autism is also kinda something that becomes a disability when dealing with other people. Which is why I've been mostly doing fine with the whole social distancing. But I think I'll take your advice and start learning sign language.

[@HarryLovesRuth]

My daughter has non-auditory communication difficulties and masks make it harder for her to understand what is being said.

[@lisam5744]

My grandson is on the autism spectrum and sometimes he even doesn't quite understand me when I'm being 'funny' and I have to remember to speak a little more clear about what I mean to him.

[@mouseluva]

To be honest, I don't mind wearing a mask because it means I don't have to be doing any masking! Reduces the effort of conversations when almost all of my face is covered up so facial expressions are unnecessary!

[@gnome5051]

I'm autistic too and can't communicate well at all without lipreading, as I discovered when everyone started wearing masks. Obviously I am not against masks, it just makes communication HARD for me.

[@HKittenm]

I'm also on the autism spectrum, and the struggle with brain seeming to be on a delay/continuing on a topic the others are already done with were huge things I could relate to. By the time my brain has caught up, processed what exactly is going on in the conversation, and formulated a semi-socially adept reply, everyone has moved on. I also NEED facial expressions to get at least some idea of how I should take what they said, because I'm terrible at determining vocal tone. Deadpan sarcasm and jokes are hell for me.

[@erinpeterson3202]

i dont know if this holds true for deafness, but as someone with a processing disorder, it helps a lot if you rephrase when i dont understand you. my brain heard gibberish the first time and if you say the same thing again, im likely to hear the same gibberish again but rephrasing it often can break through!

[@ginasullens1816]

No, it really helps! I have moderate to severe hearing loss and rephrasing makes all the difference. I always felt weird trying to explain this but I'm so glad that you've expressed this as well.

[@Ash-up9gl]

I have Auditory processing disorder too and rephrasing really helps!

[@kezkai]

Oh! I have partial hearing loss as well as auditory processing issues and I do this for people all of the time because I know how frustrating it is to hear the exact same thing 5 times and still hear gibberish!

[@colettelee1162]

I try to always rephrase when people don't understand me the first time! A few people give me weird looks (Americans, eh), but sometimes people look relieved. Glad to know it helps some folks!

[@atlastarron7634]

I have never felt so validated before. Thank you for telling me how to handle the gibbish

[@panguin75]

Appreciate the sympathy for us Americans and our largely terrible leadership

[@firefly24601]

The US and the UK do seem to be in a race to see whose governments can be the worst...

[@cheryllee7335]

so true!

[@caitlinjopepe541]

Yeah about the only thing we have people beat on is masks. To you know, make up for any actual action.

[@kittycatgaminghayley6210]

Julia Dean Governor Charlie Baker(R) of Massachusetts is doing a great job.

[@tobias5843]

Ayo, yeah, Cuomo's doing his best. But the US is pretty screwed

[@irisl2508]

While I am not deaf, I never realized how much I relied on being able to see a persons mouth while they spoke until masks were required. I swear I couldn't understand half of what people were saying or if they were even talking to me (really bad since I am in an essential service industry). It has been quite an adjustment.

[@amandaschwarz5745]

Auditory processing disorder. While I can't read lips fluently, it definitely helps with comprehension

[@ameliewiseman744]

I went into my local cafe/bakery the other day and it was so busy I could barely hear myself think. Everyone was wearing masks and I couldn’t self serve and ended up just wildly pointing through the plexiglass in the vague direction of the cake I wanted. Stressful and gives me a new appreciation for people who struggle regularly.

[@ImPeterCriss]

Me too. I can hear, but sometimes at work, I can't tell when customers are talking to me or if they are at another till because I can't see their lips move. Apparently I've gotten quite good at filtering out the filler noise of announcements and such. 😅

[@ViatorRex]

Despite not being deaf I do understand the conversation problems. I'm currently living in a city where I have to use my second language, and while I can follow conversations, by the time I've deciphered the language and formed a response, the topic has changed.

[@AirConditioningFW]

When I lived in a country where the majority of people spoke my second language it was hard to adjust to everyone speaking with a mask because of the muffling effect... sometimes people just pulled down their masks to talk to me while I was a meter in front of them... :/

[@puetwa]

I work in the shop, with loud music, using my third language, being deaf on one side. Now that's a challenge sometimes ;)

[@angelikaskoroszyn8495]

It reminds me of the time I visited my family in England. Nothing could prepare me for local dialects

[@marilee42]

It would be great if sign language was taught in schools since pre school as well, I think...

[@AN-ou6qu]

Would be cool to take sign language as a class

[@landiodo]

it is taught in most infant and toddler classrooms in the States.

[@AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHs]

landiodo where? I’ve never had one

[@landiodo]

@@AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHs The infant/toddler classes are part of the curriculum in day care centers. Adults can take classes in most junior colleges here in California.

[@lellums]

I was lucky and went to a school with a deaf unit. We greeted teachers and each other, sung songs and did certain activities all while signing. We also had regular contact with the deaf students and their specialist teachers. I can still get by with the absolute basics and the alphabet when I see someone struggling, even though I was 10 when I left that school. Proof that it's a great skill for kids to learn and use.

[@sophialopez5826]

I'm currently studying medicine in Mexico. There is a course that we are taking to learn LSM (Mexican sign language) so we can communicate with patients. I think other medical schools might want to integrate that, it seems like a useful skill for patient communication.

[@ahandsomenarcissist11]

Ooh! I'm currently learning LSM too! But just for myself lol

[@paulinaanameiboudesocque2398]

My boyfriend and I are currently learning LSM!

[@Xxxypher]

I'd much rather have been taught BSL in school rather than being forced to learn Latin for two years.

[@zahza2707]

James MacLeod Exactly, much more useful

[@lilianesisi3122]

Yeah, they should really give more options, sign language would be far more interesting tbh.

[@alisonremusandlil]

I studied Latin for 2 years and then American Sign Language for 2 years. I loved learning both, and ASL is useful in real life about 1000% more than Latin! :)

[@adiidi]

In my school in Canada you had the choice to learn ASL instead of having to learn another second language like French, Spanish or German. It's a great idea, I think it should even be mandatory

[@Xxxypher]

@@adiidi Sign language is a second language, and is an essential language. From learning BSL I've found the sentence structure is almost similar to Japanese.

[@kyetes.866]

I had a very similar experience at Stanford cardiology, except rather than accommodating my communication needs the staff banned my partner/caregiver at the front door and snapped at me when I asked them to remove their masks. (If they did, they put them back on mid-sentence. They also had no interpreters, wouldn't write things down, and the echocardiogram tech had her back fully turned to me for most of the time. The specialist consults were telehealth-only, but after a couple weeks of asking over and over, I was told on the day of the telehealth appointment that they couldn't provide captions/transcriptions or have an interpreter, or use chat. They said I would need "a paper from my doctor" if I wanted them to let my partner in but wouldn't explain wtf that paper was or what they needed- notwithstanding the fact that I couldn't uhhh, communicate with the doctor because they'd banned my partner from going in with me.

[@laurens7731]

Honestly I think I'd have started crying or shouting at people in that situation! Like just say 'SORRY BUT YOU NEED TO TURN AROUND AND TAKE YOUR MASK OFF I AM DEAF"..... I feel for you 💕💕💕

[@darlingdahlia1109]

Under the ADA and most insurance contacts (assuming you are in the US), they have to provide you with an interpreter. You can also contact your insurance to see if they can provide one for you.

[@HarryLovesRuth]

If you are in the US, start complaining about the ADA violations as disruptively as you possibly can. If the twerps who made those "I don't have a mask and you can't make me" are going to threaten people with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those who need accommodation should at least be able to make a scene. (Easier said than done. When I was hospitalized to give birth, my internal monologue was, "If I comply with my captors, perhaps they will let me go.") ❤️

[@EmilyDeArdowriting]

Gosh, I feel your pain so much. Sigh. I've INSISTED that my dad be able to come with me, otherwise, we can't have an appointment. We have to hash all this out before I even get close to the front door otherwise it's ridiculous. And then, yeah, changes the DAY OF are super special too. Sigh. Seriously come super close to crying meltdown.

[@EmilyDeArdowriting]

@@darlingdahlia1109 Well the problem with that is that they often assume this is an "ASL interpreter." I'm not fluent in ASL, especially not medical signs.I know a *little* ASL. I've had places actually send me an ASL interpreter who starts signing to me and I go, wait, what? Didn't get that. Sorry. Why they won't just let me BRING MY OWN PERSON is so beyond me.... I've also actually had airline employees SNEAK UP ON ME to see if I really am hard of hearing, and try to see if they can see my CI under my hair. That wasn't fun or anything.

[@rutlandm1]

"Then again, 40 percent of my audience is American... Sorry, guys." Yes, yes, yes. Send help! The level of dangerous, willful ignorance about this pandemic in the US is horrifying. 😬

[@chapplepeach29]

😂😂😂 love Jessica

[@linasayshush]

Me, the 0.01% of her audience that is Brazilian: 🙃

[@Geeky.rainbow.vampire]

On thevbright side my state might start making people wear masks soon since we're spiking so badly rn

[@anapaulalvto]

@@linasayshush eu sinto sua dor

[@LuckyBadger]

In Israel, there is a 500 shekel fine if you are outside without a mask, and the police are quick to enforce it! You can't get on any public transportation without a mask, either. The bus drivers will flat out refuse to let you on, and if you try, they will stop the bus and call the police.

[@RachelAnnTaylor]

If I feel uncomfortable communicating with people as a fully abled person, I can’t say enough how much I respect anyone who is HOH or deaf during this time. You are lovely as always and I’m sending all the love!

[@TheGPFilmMaker]

"I'm not here to tell you how to make one marginalized group's life harder to make another marginalized group's life better" is my new life motto

[@Olivia-jw5sd]

First of all - I died laughing at "She's saying mushroom but she really means tomato" 😂 I found that way too relatable. But this is something I've been thinking a lot about lately. I'm a teacher who tries to be highly conscious of the different ways my students might need to take in information - whether they're deaf, have a disability that affects their auditory processing, etc. I've seen this conversation around masks a lot lately, with a couple of people saying the windows really don't help for a lot of the reasons you mention and that an entirely clear mask/face shield would be better. But then, as you said, they're on the pricey side and who is going to pay for all the teachers to have them? (Answer: the teachers are going to pay for them because we pay for everything 😭) I don't know what the point of this comment was other than I'm anxious about school this fall. But anyway, love your videos.

[@okestperson6016]

Maybe try to work on some sign language with your students. I learned how to count in asl in 2nd or 3rd grade and it stuck with me until I took asl in high school

[@zokoravonyensloh]

I think learning some basic sign language would be helpful. Also if you have some sort of projektor (is that what they are called? the things you can connect to your laptop to throw a picture at the wall or one of those old fashion onse where you need the clear plastic sheets) you could write the needed information down and just show it while you are teaching. So they can read along, it might not be the best solution but it might work ^^

[@Olivia-jw5sd]

I definitely have some basic ASL and use a lot of visuals in the classroom. Lip reading and facial expressions are just another piece of the puzzle that could really help students.

[@sonipitts]

A regular medical face shield is not the same as one of the hooded things she was talking about. Face shields are cheap ($20-30 or less), and work fairly well. They block outgoing droplets as well as a mask, and do the same for incoming droplets. They obviously can't filter smaller airborne particles like a mask might, however, so best for lower exposure settings like outside or in areas with good ventilation. They also have the advantage that they don't touch your face, so they're cooler to wear, easier to breathe in and don't produce facial irritation that tends to lead to increase face-touching and mask adjusting. And they protect the eyes, which are another route of potential infection. You need to make sure you get one that goes ear to ear, forehead to below chin, and have a foam forehead rest to block droplets coming in from above from taller people.

[@kaitlynnp582]

It's awesome that you're thinking about these things! I'm hard of hearing, and really simple things helped me a lot in school - sitting in the front couple of rows, on the side of the classroom that allows my functional ear to face the teacher, and the microphones my teachers wore that amplified their voices to a speaker in the center of the ceiling. Also just a touch of patience if I didn't respond to my name immediately went so so far.

[@nervodyne]

"Then again 40% of my audience is American so probably not. Sorry guys." Believe me, we're sorry too. Someone please send escape pods for the sane people that are wearing masks and staying indoors, we don't want to be here anymore either.

[@fabuloushatlady7812]

I feel like I’m back in middle school again where two kids messed around, and we all had to run three miles the next day.

[@34weaselsinatrenchcoat11]

hey us "insane" folks wear masks too

[@peiithos]

We are begging for help

[@leiajiang7877]

I live with a trump support oldet brother who acts like a baby. Steals my shit after giving it back threaten to hit me, says ill die before giving it back, pours water on me, and told me i need a good beating. Im just seeing so much parallels to trump and it's really hard to keep my sanity. Entitled, LOTS of rationalization, acts like a baby, and not give a shit about anyone else.

[@thebigvee137]

@@leiajiang7877 I'm sorry. Hope things get better for you.😊 and don't listen to what the giant man babies say.

[@beththebubbly69]

The good thing about the signs you gave as examples (Can I help you?, hospital, doctor, and ambulance) is those are almost exactly how they are in ASL as well!!

[@desktopkitty]

As someone who is not hearing impaired, I still find being able to see a person's whole face very helpful. I'm a very visual person and just from a person's expression I can often tell what a person is feeling or thinking without them having to say anything. When I can no longer see the person's entire face, I feel like half of my ability to know what that person is communicating has been lost.

[@sabinahertzum9728]

I wear a mask when I’m cutting hair at a home for the elderly - many of them are really hard of hearing and it can be difficult connecting with them during a session.... I don’t really find it hard not talking during a haircut, because I know most of them well, but I HATE that they are not able to see my smile when I see them!! They have been SO lonely and I can tell that many of them have lost more will to live during lockdown, because they are lonely!! So I’ve been the first person outside staff they have seen in months, and they can’t hear me, and can’t see me smile at them to show them how happy I am to see them again - it breaks my heart!!

[@staceyfell7666]

Could you do thumbs up or make a smile with you finger and thumb?( might be how death people say happy, I'm sorry I dont remember)

[@sabinahertzum9728]

Stacey Fell - we are talking about people who need a lot of help - many with dementia and other mind altering things - I’ve tried the thumbs up, but as most are 80 and older they don’t always know what is meant by the thumb.. There is a difference between deaf people like Jessica and elderly who are in need of hearing aids, and because of things like dementia not always are ‘in their right mind’... That’s why I miss the smile thing because even a person with severe dementia can understand a smile....

[@annabelleweston3624]

Would you be able to get a face shield instead of a mask? Then they would know you're smiling/talking when they look at you

[@sabinahertzum9728]

Annabelle Weston - that’s not realistic either - I’ve been asked that before - but remember that a faceshield is to stop droplets from hitting the wearer - it won’t stop my droplets from getting in the air.... And while cutting hair I stand close to and above the clients face - even if I stand behind them with a faceshield, the risk is that my droplets can be breathed in by them!! And I would feel HORRIBLE if I was the cause of an outbreak at a home!!! Here in Denmark most of the ones who die from covid are over 60 - and the older the more die - so if I without knowing bring covid in to that setting it could kill a LOT of people :( Homes are not my only clientele - I cut hair on all sorts of people - from really young kids to the very old.. and while young kids are not prone to get really sick - the old people are!! The faceshield is only really good if you are literally face to face - not when I’m walking around someone with my face above theirs...

[@mzmoon100]

I'm so sorry! Would you be able to use a mask with a clear panel then?

[@minksrule2196]

Anyone watching from Australia, there is a children's TV show called Sally and possum on ABC and it is entirely in auslan. I think it would help adults and children to at least learn a few signs.

[@TechBearSeattle]

"You could all just learn sign language, though." Alas, that wouldn't necessarily help: I know American Sign, which is related to French Sign. British Sign is an entirely different language :(

[@Orynae]

I was thinking about learning some ASL a couple years ago, while I was living in the US, but got discouraged before I even started because I was planning to move to France soonish (which I did, last year!), so it seemed silly to go to all that trouble to learn the "wrong" language. And now that I'm in France, I'm like "but what if I learn French sign language and then I realize ASL is more useful" I should just pick one lmao

[@TechBearSeattle]

@@Orynae - American Sign was introduced to the US by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, an American who opened a school for the deaf in 1817. To help the students communicate, he brought Laurent Clerc to teach the gestural "speech" that had been developed at the Institut National de Jeunes Sourds de Paris, which became the basis of French Sign. The French model was so successful that French Sign became the basis for Dutch, German, Irish, and Russian Sign, among others. While these languages have evolved separately, the grammar and many signs are still similar enough to be mutually intelligible in a limited way. The finger spelling alphabets are the same, with Russian being slightly different to account for Cyrillic characters. British Sign, and the British finger spelling alphabet, developed entirely in the UK. It used in Scotland and Wales, and became the basis for Australian and New Zealand Sign. That said, ANY sign language would be useful, and it would not be difficult to learn a number of phrases such as "Hello" and "Can I write in English?" in several different forms.

[@juniper617]

Orynae just learn the alphabet for whichever country you go to.

[@LittleBarracuda]

Yeah, and i live in a small country with 4 official languages so chances are big that if i travel 1h in one direction deaf people would use another sign language.

[@softly.blooming]

I’m studying Korean right now and i’m thinking about learning ASL next, and then Korean sign language.

[@AllOfMyLoveTess]

"Maybe your country is more sensible" sent me. I had to pause because I was laughing so hard there were tears. Dear lord do I wish the US got their ish together.

[@illiengalene2285]

I actually push a initiative for invisible disability in LARP(live Action role playing) because it's causing problems and people not enjoying their stay. Some people have hearing disabilities, some PTSD, some Autism or other invisible impairments. So we thought about a glow in the dark sign, so you're recommend to be approached with caution when you're wearing it. I am autistic, I don't want to get touched or conflict play. My partner has PTSD and can get triggered, when approached by men especially in the night. My friends have hearing problems and need to lip read, just a quick, "What do you need?" Is all we need. Not getting touched without warning or talked from behind. 🤷‍♀️

[@translarrybutz]

Im autistic and have been interested in roleplaying so this could be a really good idea!! Maybe it could be some bands on the persons arms since the arms are usually visible no matter where you're facing Or a crown type thing visible all around the wearers head, or a belt, any clearly visible from all angles thing that would always be visible on someones costume

[@hellomoron]

They do something like this at a horror show in my town. The actors are all dressed in gore/masks but they give out light sticks that people or kids can carry to show that they don't want to be jumped out at. It's really awesome and everyone's happy to have the sticks because they look cool in the dark.

[@Panya.V]

I have light up arm bands that I bought for when I take my dog for walks at night. There are all kinds of light up, glowing, and reflective things for night runners. I also got my dog a cut-to-size light up collar, which would be cool to wear as a crown. I also thought, as a more DIY kind of thing, that you could get a bottle of glow in the dark paint and make your own awareness signs, even if it's just shapes cut out of cloth that you pin to your shirt or something.

[@EliHooke]

I've had hearing difficulties longer than I can remember. It's like every eight or tenth word sounds like the person is mumbling. But my hearing tests as a kid always came back normal. It was kinda assumed I was imagining it and just had to adapt on my own using captions, context, lip reading, and just accepting there's a point in the conversation that I'm going to get too far behind and just have to move on. But it got nearly impossible after everyone started wearing masks. Suddenly, I could maybe understand half of what a mask wearer was saying, so I, finally, went to an ENT, who (after another hearing test came out normal) said I have auditory processing disorder. I just hadn't realized how dependent on lipreading I had become until it wasn't an option anymore. Still difficult to understand people, but at least (after 30 years) I know I'm not imagining it.

[@Lil-Dragon]

Short answer yes. Everyone deserves to be safe and be able to not isolated more simply because of who they are. I'd probably type on my phone and show it to them. If I thought of it I'd have got a clear one myself. Also I didn't know there was a disabled pride thing until last year its fine I've been disabled my whole life.

[@AuroraLalune]

Better half wasn't taught sign language despite having been born deaf. He's hearing now, which happened naturally in his very very very rare case but he doesn't hear certain things and it's overall very ironic the vision challenged person who could one day go blind is the one who knows asl. 😂

[@availanila]

There's a Sign Language Accommodation for blind people. We're encouraged to learn sign language in case we need help a d it's a deaf person. I was taught deaf-blind sign language (no contractions) in school alongside learning braille.

[@AuroraLalune]

@@availanila I took it in highschool. I don't know anything about accomodations for lack of sight. I just know my shitty sight was why I couldn't be an interpreter because you have to sign more slowly for me.

[@AuroraLalune]

@@availanila and also I have a finger stutter. I was told that one could be worked out with practice though.

[@Legal.Knievel]

My son's neurologist is deaf and they had me switch out my mask for a mask with a clear window, which I thought was pretty cool!

[@PushyPushyPhoenix]

5:36 "Don't eat whilst speaking" brought back a fun memory! In middle school I had a best friend who's profoundly hard of hearing, and so are her parents. The things Jessica's listed in this video became second nature to the point that nearly 25 years later, they're automatic whenever the person I'm interacting with has any hearing difficulties. Not long ago, friend and I met to catch up, and I ordered food. She started filling me in on her life and experiences, and as we hadn't seen or spoken to each other in a very long time, there was a _lot_ to recap. Around when the food arrived she'd caught me up, and asked about me, eating happily - and suddenly mortified by my mistake. So I apologized, she waved it off, and went over my life story. My plate waited patiently, and whenever she had comments or questions I took a few bites, reminding myself over and over to chew well and swallow before speaking again. It was wonderful to see each other all grown up, and I've never eaten so slowly before or since. I'm sure she didn't mind; the friend I fondly remember is the type who'd find it hilarious. Ever since then, videos like this remind me how instinctive it feels to be sure someone who reads lips can 'hear' me... even when I'm the only one speaking and my mouth's full of food. 🤭🍍

[@sydneyagnew8748]

WOW I've never clicked so fast. I think about this sometimes--especially where I work. I don't often help a lot of Deaf/HOH Guests, but it does happen (and I don't know a lot of sign, just very rudimentary words/phrases). Will DEFINITELY be using more of the pen/paper method, since I'm fairly certain work won't be providing us clear masks (cute as the one you showed was omg).

[@sonipitts]

Two small notebook-sized whiteboards (one for you and one for them, if they need it) might be handier, and create less waste. And you can easily sanitize them and the pens.

[@shayelea]

Some years ago I spent a week in the hospital, and my first overnight roommate was deaf and had what I later found out was meningitis. She told every person she came in contact with that she was deaf but (as I found myself) the medical teams just did not fully communicate with each other. The doctors came in and started to talk to her and all I heard was: PATIENT: I’M DEAF. I can’t read your lips if you’re wearing a mask. DOCTOR 1: ...this isn’t going to work. I silently laughed and then I cried because it was 3 AM and I was SO TIRED but I couldn’t sleep the entire time I was there because every night I had a new roommate who needed care all night...but that’s a sorry for another time.

[@justsomeone5658]

This was one of my first concerns when wearing masks became mandatory in germany. and as someone who wears glasses and knows how foggy they get i was not convinced, that the clear masks work well. On the topic of having difficulties with topic switches and my "prepared responses": i have the same problem but as a hearing person using sign language, especially when i don't know the person or it's a group of people.

[@katiegriggs9825]

Jessica, I love how detailed and candid you are. Also I love your voice and your face and everything about you (Claud, don't worry, not flirting, just admiring). I'm so glad KZbin gives you a platform to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others. I always learn so much even though I feel like there's a lot I am already aware of when I watch your videos. Like, I now know that the sign for help, hospital, and ambulance are the same in BSL as in ASL.

[@medd-lee]

!!! My disability/ies are super invisible and I feel a lot more valid being able to learn more from you. I'd like to support people who need help as well, and this helps me so much I have enough ASL to get a decent communication in conjunction with the common gesures, but I want more!!! I keep paper/pen with me as much as I can, both for me and for others. I really hope that I'm prepared should I need to quickly communicate for any reason. I also keep it for personal use, as I have a decent amount of debilitating anxiety(But I have progress!!!) that occasionally means I can't speak or have some other communications. I usually am able to quickly adapt, if I need to... but I hope it would help should I need it for others as well. Edit;; Anxiety is not my only one, just to be clear

[@crystalsfordays]

Thank you for the dish soap tip!!!! I just discovered your KZbin and I’m so glad you’re here!! Your speaking voice is not only perfect, it’s enchanting. You don’t know how much hope you have given a scared mother of her newly diagnosed severe HOH child 💗 so much love for you!!!

[@amyhannon3034]

Jessica: references Americans Me, an American: T__T IT'S TRUUUUEEE

[@harleyjones8480]

I used several tips from this video when speaking with my grandmother. She was really happy to see me trying to figure out the best way to communicate with her.

[@Guitargoddess843]

I love how you add humor and dont condescend when trying to help us (non-hearing impaired/non-disabled) understand how to be more helpful. I love your videos from your style to your humor to the ways you help me learn to be a more helpful person to people around me. Thank you for your content! So many people is these super PC times are so quick to jump on you for tiny mistakes, but i dont want to make anyone feel bad ever- so i like that from you i can learn without the pitchfork to my throat. 🥰

[@freyni100]

Jessica's great. I love it how she processes her thoughts and makes it more obvious to hearing people how suddenly changing a topic or indeed not being visible can be horrendous. Clear masks sounds good in so long as they're designed safely.

[@marsbars16]

Yeah, US here and some people are still making mask wearing a political issue as though their rights are being taken away, it’s disgusting. Like, you mean to tell me that for x amount of minutes, you can’t wear a mask to not only protect yourself but also those around you, those that you’ll never even know are cancer survivors, currently receiving cancer treatment or like myself, I have Sickle Cell Anemia so my immune system is already in a terrible state and I also had my spleen removed when I was 5, but so many types of people who have both visible and invisible illnesses, you can’t wear a mask because you feel like your rights are being taken away? No, the right that they don’t have is putting others in danger out of selfishness. They disgust me and I’ll never understand it. Stay safe, love. It’s madness out there.

[@IQzminus2]

The US always reminds me of the difference of freedom to, and freedom from You can have the freedom to hurt other people Or you can have the freedom from the threat of being hurt by other people

[@mothboy9137]

Yeah we're literally gonna be in this till I graduate in two years 💀

[@kyle0091000]

😂 if everyone had your common sense....the virus would have been under controlled. But I blame the government that you guys elected, you elected an incompetent baboon who doesn’t believe in common sense, decency and science.

[@flapperghoul1762]

@@kyle0091000 Unfortunately the people didn't elect him the electoral vote did. So a lot of us didn't and still don't want that poor excuse of a person to represent the US.

[@Pavlinka__]

I think that a lot of people are taking this personally because for the past 20 years (and possibly more but I can only attest to 20) only sick people who had to go out or people that were not sick enough to stay at home wore masks and now it's everyone. I think this is the start of a new era. My country is thinking of making masks mandatory every spring and autumn.

[@xsystem9342]

I would love to see videos of you teaching a few basic & important signs that everyone should know. Like a little mini-series. There are so many people out there teaching sign language but I just can't get enough of your beautiful voice and enthusiasm. It makes me want to learn!

[@Angelwitch99]

I am happy to say that I know basic asl signs like help and toilet as well as how to finger spell a Nursing Assistant knowing stuff like this is very helpful especially now that there is a pandemic because as mentioned you can't lip read when someone is wearing a mask

[@morganmurner1581]

Thank you lovely lady for gracing us with your sarcastic, witty videos. Have a wonderful day!

[@holypicklesmofo]

I do cognitive and language testing for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and I didn't realize how much I depended on watching their face to understand their speech. We're thinking of face shields but oooof it's going to be difficult

[@Cold_S0up]

I love the way she talks. Her very clear, thought out intentions shine to me. I model the way I want to talk after her

[@michelletackett9489]

I can't believe we have made wearing a freaking mask into a political topic.

[@calicogreyroot9238]

I've got family that think I'm ridiculous for wearing a mask and staying home (since March). Yes, they're Trumpers. 😒

[@punky19761]

Calico Greyroot I think I’ve been home since March too. I’ve lost track. Send help. Lol 😱

[@fabuloushatlady7812]

It shouldn’t be. But in America there’s a certain politician in a high position of power telling their supporters to not wear masks, and to go to big rally’s of his. Indoors. Mask-less.

[@nuclearwessels2078]

To be fair, our government did kind of politicize this from the beginning. It also did not help that our government lied about the effectiveness of masks to cover up a ppe shortage. I know plenty of people that do not want to wear masks because of this. It's frustrating.

[@iliveonatropicalisland6086]

Asian people: *confused screaming*

[@chefboyarzee]

whoa Jessica really sped through her greys anatomy binge! (that episode she referenced with the clear masks is in the current season, season 16, and shoshanna IS amazing)

[@TheFabricNinja]

Because I'm hard of hearing I find the clear masks to be helpful, but I can just enough sound to help me make the lips make more sense. Absolutely not perfect, but better, and they would make a doctor's office much better for me. I keep needing to get really close to people to get enough of what they are saying, especially if they have a mask and are behind a clear window. I tend to ask my family (if there) to act as a repeater and I can try to lip them. BTW: I am a seamstress, and I did make a clear mask tutorial to help people who need all the steps laid out. fabricninja.com/clear-smile-mask/

[@richardvelez3151]

It all comes down to being respectful of your fellow human beings. Every tip suggested by you, Jessica, is a viable and helpful option to promote better communication. Personally, I feel learning some sign language is beneficial to no end. Not just for those who are Deaf/HOH, either. Remember, some people may have disabilities that include nonverbal communication. Some Autistic people are also nonverbal. Learning a bit of sign language will not only help understand and communicate one's needs & feelings, but just think of the relief and acceptance you will be showing to someone & how that must make them feel - knowing that they are not alone and there's someone they can talk to. Thank you so much for this video, Jessica! So helpful, so insightful, so appreciative. An absolute pleasure! All the best to you and yours! Take care! Lovely as always 👍🤟💝

[@TheRealMythril]

A large badge saying “I’m Deaf” May be a useful addiction when in a medical or care environment to mitigate against non deaf people’s clumsy communication techniques! If my power wheelchair has been removed from my by some overbearing ward manager or charge nurse, I’m often asked to “just stand on the scales” or “right, I need you to get out of bed and sit in the awkward wingbacked chair”! This has resulted in staff taking umbrage when I tell them, “not unless you magic me there!”

[@Victoriasm31]

I know some BSL, but I had never thought about making it clear when you're changing the subject. Thank you, it's so helpful to know things like that.

[@ratzwilson6101]

My kids think trump is some sort of evil villain and they honestly aren't wrong...

[@oliviasteven1796]

They sound really smart kids if I’m honest

[@rashkavar]

The only reason I'd say they're wrong is because evil villains are frightening because of their competence. Lex Luthor, the Joker, Magneto, and Thanos are all far better at accomplishing their goals.

[@gremlinlad3671]

idk, villains usually have some sort of redemption arc

[@AN-ou6qu]

Stupid way of thinking about it though, y’all are acting like there are good politicians 💀

[@34weaselsinatrenchcoat11]

@@AN-ou6qu lmao true

[@carabradford6464]

As an American Nursing Student you have really helped me understand how to help hearing impaired people. You've also introduced me to illnesses that I would not otherwise learn about. I am also in the vintage community so I appreciate that too.

[@QueenBloom]

"I have a malfunctioning body" 💯👏🙌

[@JesterSqueak]

I’m such a fan of yours, Jessica. I’m in grad school for speech pathology and I found this video (as well as whenever you talk about disability and your experiences I health care) so helpful. I’ve shared a few with my cohort because I feel we aren’t always taught to listen to the people we are treating. Much love 💖

[@matcha_moose]

The last time I was this early I could leave my house without a mask and not risk others' lives

[@daniellegorski185]

I absolutely love your captions. I don't have hearing loss, just horrible audio comprehension. I wish more content creators would caption their videos

[@jaybehkay2438]

“When I lip read much room I know she’s saying mushroom but actually means tomato” 😂 relationship goals

[@jenhalbert3001]

I love just about everything you put out, I swear. Our comorbidities are very different, but I feel we have very much in common. Thanks so much for making these videos!

[@osteophagus]

I often have to watch someone's lips in tandem with trying to hear them and can usually piece things together pretty well. Particularly in louder places like...grocery stores. Most definitely difficult now. Thankfully my hubby has been able to come most of the time but when I'm alone it's very difficult.

[@jamiel6005]

As someone who relies on lip reading, how well you enunciate words + subtitles makes watching your videos super easy - I wish all youtubers at least put captions on their videos.

[@loozziee]

Quicker than the notifications.

[@Kristina_Gisela]

I think watching your videos should count towards my continuing education credits in cultural awareness. Thank you so much for explaining such an important topic in such a relatable and humorous way!

[@MrsSanguisa]

It's disabled pride month? The more you know.

[@Eco_Hiko]

Jessica's hair being flawless despite lockdown and a pandemic is an inspiration.

[@cheryllee7335]

"She says mushrooms when she really means tomatoes" 😁😄😊

[@CaitlynBianchi-ig]

I think this is a great highlight as to why we need to improve things. You just gave me an idea for using clear vinyl in a small section as well as learning Sign Language.

[@evelynkrull5268]

This pandemic really made me realize that I might be having issues with hearing loss/difficulty (who knows what it is) has been confusing as my job is now telephone based. I can turn up the volume there, but I cant do that in real life. Usually my husband jokes that I'm an old lady because I hobble around and am always yelling at the kiddies "what did you say?!" Were considering learning sign language just for ease as I hace some cognitive issues with speaking that dont seem to carry over to hand movements because apparently it uses different portions of the brain?

[@Paula_Riker]

since i was a kid, my grandma call me as old woman because im always asking to repeat. im 31 now did some tests with fonoaudiologist and turns out all right. she said its probably something cognitive that difficult my understanding, as im also a bit dislexic.

[@Kai-td5jm]

Thank you for this! Being hard of hearing during all this has been isolating in ways i never imagined! I am ASD and am slowly losing my hearing (we knew this was coming). I lived my life how i lived. I truly believed my hearing loss so far wasn't so bad, even insignificant. Until this pandemic. All the sudden everywhere i went, i couldn't understand anyone except "my humans"! When i am at work or out doing errands alone, i have learned tapping one of my ears tells the person talking i cannot understand them. That is, IF i realize someone is talking to me at all. Upside, when someone starts being belligerent, i stop being able to understand them when i turn my back to them. I discovered your channel by happy accident and am now a subscriber. Thank you!

[@lisetmachado6426]

I'm a nurse in South Florida and I've always requested the interpretation services for sign language. A TV is brought and kept next to the patient and an interpreter is always available. Love using it and I can easily can communicate.

[@eyreaus2736]

Took some ASL in high school. Will learn so more basics and brush up now that you mention knowing enough to help a deaf person. Least we can do!

[@petraczeh]

I started laughing at the intro so hard that my rabbits woke up -.- 😂

[@colettelee1162]

Awwwww 🐰 🐰

[@leratomzondi1157]

I honestly just had a picture of Alice in Wonderland... Are these rabbits real😂😂😂

[@lowellb.8309]

Your videos are amazing! I started following your channel when both my grandparents started to show signs of hearing loss (my grandfather is deaf since I was born, and my grandmother’s hearing is getting progressively worse since last year) and your videos really help me on dealing with their difficulties in hearing and understanding what I speak, as well as with my own difficulties with speech since I tend to speak really fast even when I don’t want to... Just... thank you for being this amazing person!! Wish you all the best

[@v-shadeproductions3823]

I'm hard of hearing and use lip reading to help me along and they're making us wear masks when we go back to college in the fall and I am very anxious that I'm not going to be able to hear well because yes I have hearing aids, but they don't help as much as people think they do

[@Olson185]

@Jessica, first-time viewer of your channel, loved this video. Truly; I'm not being hyperbolic (I'm not that flexible). This is what stand-up comedy should be: informative, considerate, hilarious. And the production quality was superb. I was not aware of the edit cuts, the light balance was great, and it was so well done. [giving you standing ovation]

[@Tazzie1312]

"She's accidentally saying mushrooms, but she means tomatos" Aww XD

[@ellaneruda]

Thank you so much for including Auditory Processing Disorder! ❤️🦻🏻

[@Silver-Cleo]

Never been this early. I needed a dose of happiness today, thank you EDIT: after watching the video some people are saying that face visors are safer than masks and they are completely clear

[@mzmoon100]

Visors are considered not safe, because the safety comes from the air seal and cloth. With no air seal or droplet catching, droplet spray still goes just as far.

[@petrolhead0387]

This is not true, visors will only protect against splashes. They won't protect against airborne particles that need to be filtered.

[@rosaleeuwin5301]

I am now determined to learn sign language because of you. I never realised before how weird it is that we don't learn it in school, after all, deaf people or hard of hearing are everywhere in every country so it would only make sense to like English, learn it as a language that is learned in every country to be able to communicate with everyone.

[@theyoutubeanalyst3731]

"when I lip-read 'much room' I know she's saying mushroom but that she actually means tomatoes" HAHAHA HAHAHA oh Claudia

[@chiaragibbs1693]

I work in a pharmacy and the one moment that has stuck with me as to the extent of how much changing what you do can help, is the time I signed to a deaf patient as an introduction to him, and he just gave me a huge hug because I made an effort. 3 years ago now, I've shifted stores and hes still 'my' patient ♡

[@zimamonkey]

I'm hard of hearing and do rely on lip reading. My husband is my interpretor when we go out now. In my state masks are required outdoors.

[@americantoadsarecool]

The dish soap trick works on glasses fogging too!

[@dannieros3]

What about face shields? They’re clear and you can see the speakers entire face

[@petrolhead0387]

They don't have a seal on them. If it doesn't seal against the face, it won't filtrate any air that can get under the shield. It could work to an extent, but its about 90% less effective than a mask.

[@elijah4168]

You need a mask and then a face shield. Only a mask work by themselves, since shields are totally open

[@messyhairedpixie]

@@petrolhead0387 You sure about that? Lots of news sources citing research that suggests otherwise, although I didn't go back and look at the original study. www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=230978

[@sonipitts]

@@petrolhead0387 They're excellent at blocking respiratory droplets coming either way, but yes, cannot filter smaller particles. However this does mean they're perfectly fine for lower-exposure settings like outside or in areas with good ventilation. They work about as well as a mask for any situation you'd be relying on your mask mainly to prevent spread and block large droplets rather than to prevent personal infection in a higher-risk setting, such as going to a farmer's market, a quick trip into a low-occupancy grocery store, getting gas, walking outdoors where you're likely to be passing people at closer than 6' range, doing curbside pickup, that sort of thing.

[@JacquelineUnderwood]

I really want an adaptor for diver’s masks that allows them to use a filter on the snorkel. It would look strange but your entire face would be visible.

[@Irishharper]

Oh Jessica.. just love you. I am going through doctor appointments and chemo deaf. Now, my nurse that has been with me through my last cancer and is awesome and will stand away and lower her mask but she has known me for quite a while. I had to have a small surgical this week and all is fine but it's impossible to understand the ton of questions. It really helps that I write deaf on my mask so they know when I don't answer them or just look totally baffled I am not being rude. All the best and I am in the US so please say a prayer. We have an idiot for a president.

[@blakelay]

We should teach sign language in schools!

[@Wewereneveryoung]

I love the way she signs "hello, lovely people" 😍

[@hillyinseattle5630]

American here. Sensibly isn't exactly a thing here.

[@healinghousefarm5562]

I thought I could here fine.... before masks..... it’s very frustrating.... gratitude.... please keep listening to your heart song.... the way you share it is pure light💜

[@1901180108]

When you explain the perspective of many Deaf people on the word "disabled," what you're basically describing is the social model of disability, which says disabled people are actually disabled by the ableist society we live in, not an inherent "flaw" with their bodies or minds. The social model of disability also says that being disabled, while disadvantageous in many situations, is not inherently bad or negative.

[@dannieabel3298]

When you were talking about those who work in service industries learning sign language, I totally agreed with you. I work in a video games store in New Zealand (Eb games) and we have a regular customer who is deaf so when I started my manager taught me a few basic words in NZSL so I could communicate with him. He lip reads but often finds it easier to sign. So if we need to say something we dont know how to sign we can say it. But for him it's so much easier to speak to us in his first language. And it only took me a few minutes and a little while of practice to learn 10 or so little phrases and words to make his day 100× easier. It only takes a little bit of effort to help make someone's world a little easier

[@cerisemin]

My sisters teacher closes her eyes and holds her hand in front of her mouth when switching topics.

[@jankamoos9869]

I love your educational videos, and never forget how appreciated you are. Also I love the way you speak, your voice is so lovely!

[@lizfriesen3056]

its so weird thinking of a time when we didnt wear masks all the time xD

[@davidmarinucci3803]

Thank you for 10:55 explanation! I find myself going over the same topic over and over with deaf friends thinking they maybe have limited grasp of vocab (while I'm the newbie to sign language nonetheless). Many of the deaf I communicate with know house sign and were only taught ASL as adults. So explaining that they may be thinking through responses for the last or current topic to them helps greatly.

[@iankloster4911]

I really appreciate this video!! I'm not deaf or HoH, and this issue actually slipped my mind completely. I appreciate you using your platform to offer suggestions on how I can communicate better with those who are deaf or HoH while wearing a mask so I can create an accessible space for them as much as possible.

[@haseulslonglostseal2052]

A lot of the things you're saying ring true for hearing people learning a second language. I'm American, but my mom is Brazilian and she finds it difficult to understand me speaking English (despite living in the US for 20+ years) without being able to read my lips. When I was studying in Brazil and only semi-conversational in Portuguese, I relied a lot on context and hand gestures to understand what people were talking about from the very few words I could pick out and had about a 50% success rate of understanding. And things being written down was unbelievably helpful. Like you, my mind worked at a slower speed when having to workout what someone was saying and because I didn't have the vernacular or pronunciations down, it was hard to know where words stopped and started. So, the close captioning on movies and tv shows (most likely designed for people with hearing loss) were my saving grace as were the teachers who wrote lots of words and diagrams on the whiteboard. My worst nightmare was the philosophy and sociology teacher who stoically lectured for thirty minutes straight in the middle of the classroom (no inflections, no change in facial expression, nothing being written down, fancy language, and no reactions from the class at the very end of the day).