Researchers at Villanova University found that in low levels of background noise (for the purposes of recognizing spoken sentences immediately after presentation), face masks have a small effect related to speech production without a mask, and some masks have no effect. In high levels of background noise, the effects of different mask types become more apparent.

Homemade cloth masks and N95 respirators had the largest impact on speech recognition while surgical masks had no effect.

Reference

Toscano J, Tocasno C. (2021) Effects of face masks on speech recognition in multi-talker babble noise. PLOS ONE. February 24

Share this

Related Posts

Sleep Routines and Tiredness in US Children

New Evidence on Swimming and Tympanostomy Tube Outcomes

Spontaneous Recovery from Radiation Induced Unilateral Profound SNHL

Recent Posts

Academy Endorses Congressional Review Act Resolution to Protect Student Access and Workforce Development: Call to Action

The American Academy of Audiology has formally endorsed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)…

Read More

Planting the Seeds of Change

I know it’s an overused cliché, but spring has sprung! Up here in the northern tundra lands of Minnesota, spring is a highly anticipated season…

Read More

Better Hearing and Balance Begins with Us!

Spring is here, and you know what that means! I’ll save you the ‘flowery’ tag lines this year, but we would be amiss if we…

Read More