These Reusable, Clear Face Masks Are Designed to Help Others Read Your Lips

Every time you head outside, the three new essentials to bring with you are: keys, wallet, and a face mask. The last one being the most crucial of the list for slowing the spread of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, if you've tried having a socially distanced conversation with someone, you may have noticed how difficult it can be to communicate. This is especially true for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) community, which relies on reading lips and facial expressions to interact with people, per the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center. While wearing a face mask is key for protecting yourself and others when out in public, the DHH community faced challenges with traditional cloth face masks until innovators and manufacturers began designing clear face masks with a transparent window over the lips.

With a clear material surrounded by protective fabric, these face masks allow anyone in the DHH community to express themselves while also keeping them safe. The big question: Are clear face masks secure enough to be effective? Although wearing a multi-layer cloth face mask is most widely recommended, the CDC also states that anyone with a hearing impairment should consider a clear face mask. After all, these coverings are still created to act as a barrier against harmful droplets dispersed in the air due to talking, sneezing, or coughing. Nate Favini, M.D., M.S., the Medical Lead at Forward healthcare, explains that while clear masks can potentially contain more of your respiratory droplets than a cloth mask, he's confident that they are effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. "Masks with plastic windows are almost certainly as safe as—and may actually be safer than—cotton masks since plastic is much less permeable than cotton," he says.

Favini also explains the importance of how the clear material is added to the mask. "Safety depends on how the plastic is sewn into the cotton and whether that connection is tight or allows respiratory droplets to pass through," he says. "Make sure there is a really tight connection between the plastic and cloth of the mask."

Kathryn Melamed, M.D., a pulmonologist at UCLA Health, agrees that fit is key. "Masks that do not fit snugly over the nose and extend to the chin will provide space for air and droplets to escape around the mask," she adds.

There are multiple outlets selling clear face masks designed with the CDC's recommended fit in mind. We've rounded up the best options available to help you communicate while staying safe.