Lions Clubs Assist Hearing Impaired During Covid-19

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - June 25, 2020 - PRLog -- Do you find yourself having a hard time communicating with store clerks and family members wearing masks? Getting used to communicating with a barrier on our face has made daily errands more difficult. Imagine what it's like for the hearing impaired. This population relies on reading lips to communicate, which is already a difficult thing to do. There are people who mumble, don't enunciate when they speak, talk with their face away or speak in a low tone. All these factors make hearing a difficult task for the hearing impaired. Add a face mask over the mouth and communication is virtually impossible.

After identifying this issue, the Lions Clubs of District 35-O in Central Florida has taken the initiative of creating clear face masks and face shields that are complimentary for the friends and family of the hearing impaired. This allows them to communicate better with one another and it eases the burden of daily tasks where contact is made with people wearing masks.

The president of Lions Club of District 35-O Hearing Program, Wendy Wilson, said that "providing these face masks and face shields in desperate times will contribute to the education, information and communication for those who rely on facial cues." By wearing these masks with clear anti-fog vinyl over the mouth area, the friends and family of the hearing impaired can show others the issues faced by this population while protecting themselves and others during this time. It is a great way to raise awareness while making life easier for the hearing impaired.

Lions Clubs of District 35-O covers the counties of Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Hernando, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, part of Levy and Polk (North of Highway 60). They are a part of the larger Lions Club International which aims to serve individuals by meeting humanitarian needs, encouraging peace and promoting international understanding. The club has 47,000 locations in more than 200 countries and has been serving communities for more than 100 years. It has traditionally aided the hearing and sight impaired since Helen Keller asked the Lions to be "knights of the blind" in 1925.

Interested residents in Central Florida can obtain a "Request for Face Masks/Face Shields" form by emailing centralfloridalionshearing@gmail.com (about:blank).