Deaf support group contacts NPHET over face masks, saying it hinders those who rely on lip-reading

Chime has said it supports the wearing of face marks but that face shields would assist those hard of hearing who rely on lip-reading. Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

New mandatory rules on face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are creating significant communication barriers for more than 300,000 people in Ireland who rely on lip-reading, it has emerged.

Chime, the national charity for deafness and hearing loss, wants the National Public Health Emergency Team to consider face shields as an acceptable face covering for people when travelling on public transport and for healthcare workers when seeing someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.