Abstract：
Purpose: The study examined the benefits of transparent versus non-transparent surgical masks on the speech intelligibility in quiet of adult cochlear implant (CI) users, in conjunction with patient preferences and the acoustic effects of the different masks on the speech signal.
Methods: Speech tracking test (STT) scores and acoustical characteristics were measured in quiet for live speech in three different conditions, without mask, with a non-transparent surgical mask and with a transparent surgical mask. Patients were asked about their experience with the face masks. The study sample consists of 30 patients using a cochlear implant.
Results: We found a significant difference in speech perception among all conditions, with the speech tracking scores revealing a significant advantage when switching from the non-transparent surgical mask to the transparent one. The transparent surgical mask, although it does not transmit high frequencies effectively, seems to have minimal effect on speech comprehension in practice when lip movements are visible. This substantial benefit is further emphasized in the questionnaire, where 82% of the patients express a preference for the transparent surgical mask.
Conclusion: The study highlights significant benefits for patients in speech intelligibility in quiet with the use of medically safe transparent facemasks. Transitioning from standard surgical masks to transparent masks demonstrates highly significant effectiveness and patient satisfaction for patients with hearing loss. This research strongly advocates for the implementation of transparent masks in broader hospital and perioperative settings.
In scenarios mandating mask usage, it’s advisable for caregivers to opt for transparent surgical masks. Specifically within perioperative settings, where patients might not be able to utilise their hearing aids or cochlear implants, it becomes imperative for all caregivers to consistently wear transparent surgical masks to prevent communication impediments.When utilising a transparent surgical mask, caregivers must recognise that sound may be altered and maintaining a clear view of the face and lips is crucial for effective communication.
Methods: Speech tracking test (STT) scores and acoustical characteristics were measured in quiet for live speech in three different conditions, without mask, with a non-transparent surgical mask and with a transparent surgical mask. Patients were asked about their experience with the face masks. The study sample consists of 30 patients using a cochlear implant.
Results: We found a significant difference in speech perception among all conditions, with the speech tracking scores revealing a significant advantage when switching from the non-transparent surgical mask to the transparent one. The transparent surgical mask, although it does not transmit high frequencies effectively, seems to have minimal effect on speech comprehension in practice when lip movements are visible. This substantial benefit is further emphasized in the questionnaire, where 82% of the patients express a preference for the transparent surgical mask.
Conclusion: The study highlights significant benefits for patients in speech intelligibility in quiet with the use of medically safe transparent facemasks. Transitioning from standard surgical masks to transparent masks demonstrates highly significant effectiveness and patient satisfaction for patients with hearing loss. This research strongly advocates for the implementation of transparent masks in broader hospital and perioperative settings.
In scenarios mandating mask usage, it’s advisable for caregivers to opt for transparent surgical masks. Specifically within perioperative settings, where patients might not be able to utilise their hearing aids or cochlear implants, it becomes imperative for all caregivers to consistently wear transparent surgical masks to prevent communication impediments.When utilising a transparent surgical mask, caregivers must recognise that sound may be altered and maintaining a clear view of the face and lips is crucial for effective communication.
摘要：
目的：该研究检查了透明和不透明手术面罩对成年人工耳蜗（CI）使用者安静时语音清晰度的好处，结合患者偏好和不同面罩对语音信号的声学效果。
方法：语音跟踪测试（STT）得分和声学特征在三种不同条件下的现场语音安静测量，没有面具,带有不透明的手术面罩和透明的手术面罩。患者被问及他们使用口罩的经历。研究样本由使用耳蜗植入物的30名患者组成。
结果：我们发现在所有情况下的言语感知都存在显着差异，语音跟踪分数揭示了当从非透明手术面罩切换到透明手术面罩时的显著优势。透明的手术面罩,虽然它不能有效地传输高频，当嘴唇运动可见时，在实践中对言语理解的影响似乎很小。问卷中进一步强调了这一实质性好处，其中82％的患者表示偏爱透明的外科口罩。
结论：该研究强调了使用医学上安全的透明面罩对患者安静时语音清晰度的显着益处。从标准外科口罩到透明口罩的转换证明了听力损失患者的高度显著的有效性和患者满意度。这项研究强烈主张在更广泛的医院和围手术期环境中实施透明口罩。
在强制使用掩码的情况下，护理人员最好选择透明的手术口罩。特别是在围手术期设置中，患者可能无法使用助听器或人工耳蜗，所有护理人员都必须始终佩戴透明的手术口罩，以防止沟通障碍。当使用透明的手术面罩时，护理人员必须认识到声音可能会改变，保持面部和嘴唇的清晰视野对于有效沟通至关重要。
方法：语音跟踪测试（STT）得分和声学特征在三种不同条件下的现场语音安静测量，没有面具,带有不透明的手术面罩和透明的手术面罩。患者被问及他们使用口罩的经历。研究样本由使用耳蜗植入物的30名患者组成。
结果：我们发现在所有情况下的言语感知都存在显着差异，语音跟踪分数揭示了当从非透明手术面罩切换到透明手术面罩时的显著优势。透明的手术面罩,虽然它不能有效地传输高频，当嘴唇运动可见时，在实践中对言语理解的影响似乎很小。问卷中进一步强调了这一实质性好处，其中82％的患者表示偏爱透明的外科口罩。
结论：该研究强调了使用医学上安全的透明面罩对患者安静时语音清晰度的显着益处。从标准外科口罩到透明口罩的转换证明了听力损失患者的高度显著的有效性和患者满意度。这项研究强烈主张在更广泛的医院和围手术期环境中实施透明口罩。
在强制使用掩码的情况下，护理人员最好选择透明的手术口罩。特别是在围手术期设置中，患者可能无法使用助听器或人工耳蜗，所有护理人员都必须始终佩戴透明的手术口罩，以防止沟通障碍。当使用透明的手术面罩时，护理人员必须认识到声音可能会改变，保持面部和嘴唇的清晰视野对于有效沟通至关重要。
