Cloth Mask with Window as an Alternative to Opaque Mask for Students with Speech, Language, and Hearing Deficits for...

Area of Science:

• Medical Device Evaluation
• Infectious Disease Control
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Effective communication and learning rely on visualizing oral movements and facial expressions.
• Speech and language services are crucial for many students.
• Opaque masks hinder visual communication and pose challenges for individuals with speech, language, and hearing impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the filtration efficiency of cloth masks with transparent windows.
• To compare their effectiveness against opaque masks in mitigating infectious disease transmission.
• To assess their utility as an alternative for improved communication.

Main Methods:

• Filtration efficiency of various medical and non-medical masks (with/without transparent windows) was measured.
• A testing apparatus delivered particulate matter (PM) at a simulated human breathing airflow velocity.
• Real-time particle monitors measured particle size and airflow upstream and downstream of masks to calculate filtration efficiency.

Main Results:

• Filtration efficiency varied significantly based on mask material and construction.
• Masks with transparent windows showed a wide range of efficiency (28.6% to 90%).
• Multi-layer masks with windows exceeded 70% filtration efficiency for all tested particle sizes (1, 2.5, 10 microns), outperforming opaque cotton masks.

Conclusions:

• Cloth masks with transparent windows demonstrate high filtration efficiency, comparable to surgical masks.
• These masks can effectively reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other droplet-transmitted diseases.
• They offer a dual benefit of disease mitigation and enhanced communication for individuals with speech, language, and hearing impairments.