Restrictive measures during COVID-19 pandemic: the impact of face masks and social distancing on communication, physical and mental health of normal hearing subjects

Abstract

Objective

Social distancing and face masks are considered the best tools to prevent COVID-19 spread despite an impact on communication, hearing perception and quality of life.

Methods

An observational study was performed among a population of normal hearing subjects (NHS) referring to Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Data were collected with a self-administered online questionnaire which included the Italian SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire referred to face masks use, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and four questions focussed on communication difficulties due to facial masks use and social distancing (COVID-19 restrictions questions, CRQs).

Results

200 NHS answered the online survey. Mean age was 40.46 (SD 13.6). The cohort was distributed according to the job performed: 137 were workers in contact with the public (Job in contact with Public, JP), while 63 were people who don’t work with the public (Job Non in contact with Public, JNP). An overall decrease in quality of life, related to the use of face masks, was detected. In fact, significant differences in the SF-36 Health Survey among our sample and the Italian normative sample were observed in 4 over 8 multi-item scales: Physical Functioning (PF), Role Functioning Physical (RP), Social Functioning (SF) and Role Functioning Emotional (RE). Furthermore, a worst general mental health (GMH) score was observed in the JNP group (p = .0008). The CRQs analysis showed that facial masks were more frequently held responsible for communication difficulties compared to social distancing, particularly due to an attenuation of sound volume and difficulties in rendering facial expressions. Significantly higher anxiety scores were reported in the JNP group, according to the HAM-A, although not reaching pathological level.

Conclusions

An impact on communication and general health perception due to COVID-19 restrictions was referred in a large part of the population with differences between the two groups (JP vs. JNP).

Keywords:

• Face masks
• social distancing
• communication
• COVID-19 pandemic
• hearing
• SF-36
• hearing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).