Communication Challenges and Tips During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our lives, including our communication with others. Although mask wearing has proven essential for reducing the spread of COVID-19, masks have made it more difficult to converse with others. The pandemic has resulted in fewer opportunities for social interaction, which can take a toll on our communication and overall wellness. Communication and cognition can also be impacted by post-COVID conditions. Let’s discuss some communication challenges due to COVID-19:

Mask Wearing During COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shared scientific evidence that supports wearing face masks to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, and many places currently require people to wear face coverings. However, mask wearing can interfere with communication in a variety of ways. Here are some challenges and tips:

Face masks cover the lower half of our faces, so we can not see much of our communication partners’ facial expressions. Make sure you are using other nonverbal communication when talking (for example, facial expression in your eyes, gestures, and body language). You may also consider using a face mask with a clear panel over your mouth.
Face masks muffle speech, making it quieter and less clear. Try speaking slightly slower and louder to increase clarity, but not too loud to the point of vocal hoarseness or injury. Breath support and good body posture can help support a clear, loud voice. Find a quiet place to chat, or at least minimize distractions in the environment. Try a variety of masks to see if certain ones are more comfortable or easier to speak or be heard in.
You may notice increased vocal fatigue if you have to speak more loudly due to face masks and social distancing. As mentioned before, do not raise or strain your voice to a potentially damaging level. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Take breaks from talking to give your voice a rest. Consider a vocal warm up, like some easy humming, if you expect to have to do a lot of talking.
Communicating with a face mask can be especially difficult for those with communication disorders. People with aphasia, dysarthria, voice disorders, fluency disorders, hearing impairments, and dementia are among those who may have more difficulty communicating with face masks. Folks with communication disorders may benefit from the tips above, and may also benefit from using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) if they aren’t already.

Social Distancing and Isolation During the Pandemic

By now, “social distancing” is a well-known, oft-heard phrase, indicating that people should stay at least six feet apart to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Having to stand further away from our communication partners, often while also wearing a face mask, can make it more difficult to hear each other speak. As mentioned above, it can help to try to find a quiet place to talk, or at least to minimize distractions such as other noises in the environment if possible. Although this may seem intuitive, make sure you are facing your communication partner to better hear each others’ speech and see each others’ nonverbal communication.

The pandemic has resulted in reduced opportunities for social interaction due to social distancing, quarantines, etc, which can lead to increased feelings of social isolation. Finding outdoor activities where risk of spread of COVID-19 is less can be a great way to socialize more safely. Virtual meetings and activities through platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet have made it possible to socialize with anyone around the world, and many organizations have largely moved their activities to virtual. As an example from my own experience, my family decided it would be best not to get together in-person for our family reunion these past two years. Instead we all hopped on a Zoom and even did some fun, interactive family trivia using Kahoot. For those with brain injuries or their caregivers, many support groups have also been switched to virtual.

This is one of the reasons that we offer speech-language teletherapy and online yoga as part of our practice at Lotus Speech & Wellness, LLC: online options increase access to services and provide an opportunity for connecting virtually.

Communication Challenges due to COVID-19 and Long COVID

According to the CDC, most people with COVID-19 recover within weeks. However, there are some who have post-COVID conditions lasting four or more weeks after the initial infection. A recent study found that 37% of people who’d had the coronavirus had at least one Long COVID symptom. The most common symptoms included anxiety/depression, abnormal breathing, abdominal symptoms, chest/throat pain, fatigue, headache, cognitive problems or “brain fog”, and pain. Just reading through this list makes it fairly evident how Long COVID can have an impact on communication (such as the impact on breathing and voice) and cognition (thinking skills such as attention, memory, and executive function impacted by changes in attention, mood, pain, and sleep). And of course, people who become ill enough to be on ventilators at the hospital may have difficulty communicating both while on the ventilator and after it is removed; an inpatient SLP should be able to assist with communication needs in the hospital.

If you have had COVID-19 and are experiencing communication challenges or changes in your cognition, tell your healthcare provider. A speech-language pathologist specializing in communication and cognitive disorders may be able to help. At Lotus Speech & Wellness, LLC, we offer online, person-centered communication and cognitive therapy to residents of Maine and Massachusetts; contact us for a free consultation or more information. Live elsewhere? Contact us and we can share a list of SLPs in your area.

Additional Resources About Communication Challenges Due To COVID-19:

American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Constant Therapy

Voice & Swallow Mechanics Lab at the University of Cincinnati: Masks & Vocal Health: One Voice at a Time

The Guardian, 9/28/2021: COVID: 37% of people have symptoms six months after infection.

Lotus Speech & Wellness Blog Post, 3/24/2021: Cognitive Deficits after COVID-19 Diagnosis

Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 9/27/2020: Considerations about Cognitive-Communication Deficits following COVID-19

Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health, 12/2020: Cognitive profile following COVID-19 infection: Clinical predictors leading to neuropsychological impairment.