Doctor, can I see your face? The effect of COVID19 face mask wearing on interactions between physicians and the older-hard-of-hearing population; a case report, and review of best practices

Since the start of the COVID19 pandemic three years ago, face masks have been promoted as the single most effective preventive measure against the COVID19 virus. Face mask wearing is ubiquitous in public places, and mandatory for patients and physicians in the hospital setting. During the worst part of the pandemic most patient-physician encounters where physician and patient wore a mask occurred in the hospital setting, as most outpatient encounters moved online, eliminating the need for patients and physicians to wear face masks. However, as the pandemic gets under control, it is reasonable to expect that an increasing number of online patient-physician encounters will shift back to in-person, thereby increasing the total number of patient-physician encounters where both patient and physician must wear face masks. In general, but particularly in the older-hard-of-hearing population, wearing face masks makes patient-physician interactions more difficult, as it eliminates the benefit of facial expression which the older-hard-of-hearing population use to compensate for their hearing loss. Given that the older-hard-of hearing population and physicians will continue to wear face masks in the foreseeable future, it is imperative for physicians to learn and employ best practices in these situations to optimize patient care. This presentation illustrates the care of a hard-of hearing-older woman in a geriatric hospital and reviews the literature on best practices in such situations.