July 2020 Blogs

IHS audiologist wears clear face covering to better communicate with patients

July 17, 2020
by Lt. April Waller, Au. D., CCC-A, Audiologist, Pawnee Indian Health Center

As an audiologist working for the Pawnee Indian Health Center in the Oklahoma City Area, I recognize the tremendous benefit of wearing a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our facility encourages the wearing of face coverings whenever we are in public to protect ourselves and others from the virus which is easily spread through talking, singing and generally, breathing in close proximity. However, the wearing of face coverings in a clinical setting presents a problem in communicating with patients who may have a hearing impairment or communication disorder.