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The importance of Deaf Culture

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Members of the Deaf community in America use a different language-literally. Not only does their language-American Sign Language (ASL)-connect them to others who are Deaf, it also serves as a membership card into a linguistic subculture of our society that not everyone is privileged to enjoy.

Breaking down stigmas

Rich communication doesn't have to be
verbal.

One of the ways the Deaf distinguish themselves as a culture is by capitalizing the word Deaf and working to change mainstream America's attitude. The Deaf culture doesn't believe in using the word "disabled" because that word makes implies "less than"-as though they are lacking something. By removing the label, they are also removing any stigma that might be attached.

"It's about perspective," Deaf advocate Eileen O'Banion said. "When you are Deaf, you see the world in a different way. You communicate differently. You seek out others who are Deaf because they understand you. You don't believe you have a disability-and you don't want to be fixed."

In fact, some advocates even speak about "Deaf gain," a communication advantage afforded to those who must use means other than verbal language. The idea is that deaf people have more meaningful and intentional connection because they cannot hear.

Tough choices around cochlear implants

Meghan Watt lost her hearing after contracting HIB meningitis at the age of two. A conversation with a middle high school teacher piqued her interest in cochlear implant (CI) surgery, even though she admits she wasn't always keen on the idea. Today, she has bilateral cochlear implants.

Meghan is aware there is controversy among certain factions of the Deaf community regarding cochlear implants and is comfortable with the choices she's made. "Some don't approve of CIs and that's that," she explained matter-of-factly. "If they're happy being Deaf, that's great. That's their decision. I like being able to hear what's going on around me."

Some members of the Deaf community are opposed to cochlear implant surgery-especially for infants who are born without hearing. They believe every person deserves the right to choose for themselves whether they want to remain Deaf and encourage parents to begin teaching ASL as the baby's first language. Some activists believe learning language and cognitive development through ASL is a basic human right that should be protected and that choosing cochlear implants steers families away from learning ASL and embracing Deaf culture.

Audism and oralism

Nine out of 10 Deaf infants are born to hearing parents. Many of those parents choose cochlear implant surgery as soon as they are medically able because it helps their child with speech development.

But the Deaf culture believes mainstream hearing America puts too much emphasis on the spoken word. They maintain ASL is a complete language, even though they don't produce words with their mouths and voices.

Some activists talk about audism-an attitude of superiority based on an ability to hear-and oralism-advocacy or use of the oral method of teaching Deaf students to speak. Audism and oralism, activists maintain, degrade ASL and interfere with the Deaf person's ability to develop speech and listening skills.

"Deaf culture is important because it allows individuals to be who they are," O'Banion explained, "and live in a way that is unique to them. There's more to a person than whether or not they can hear, so don't just focus on their ears."

American Sign Language (ASL)

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), ASL is a complete, complex language consisting of signs made by the hands, facial expressions and body language. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) calls ASL the "backbone of the American Deaf culture."

"Many who are not familiar with ASL think it's English and hand gestures," O'Banion said. "It's not. Signing is different between countries and regions, much like the spoken word is different between countries and regions."

While the origins of sign language are not clear, most agree that it began almost 200 years ago and has been evolving ever since. Like modern language, sign language has different accents, rhythms, rules for pronunciation, word order and grammar. The language is so complex, some members of Deaf culture say they can identify when a person learned ASL simply by observing the way they sign.

How to communicate with a Deaf person

Fortunately, you don't need to know ASL in order to know how to communicate with a Deaf person. According to a tip sheet developed by the Rochester Institute of Technology, one of the country's premiere learning institutions for the Deaf, there are five guidelines to remember when communicating with the Deaf.

1. Acknowledge the fact that your first attempts to communicate will feel awkward and uncomfortable. This will pass as your interaction progresses.

2. It's OK to use paper and pen. In fact, the Deaf person will appreciate your efforts even more if you use a combination of communication methods, such as hand gestures, facial expressions and the written word.

3. Take the time to communicate and connect. Deaf people consider communication an investment of time and effort. Slow down, take your time and ask for clarification if you need it.

4. Understand that Deaf people listen with their eyes. Vision is the most useful tool they have to communicate and receive information. For this reason, only speak when you have eye contact, even if they are using an interpreter. Maintaining eye contact is a sign of respect.

5. Use the beginning and ending of a conversation as an opportunity to make physical and visual contact with the Deaf person, especially if they have been using an interpreter during your conversation. Smile, shake hands, touch their arm (if appropriate) and make eye contact.

More: Top universities for Deaf students

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Deaf culture and community: Why it is important

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Members of the Deaf community in America use a different language-literally. Not only does their language-American Sign Language (ASL)-connect them to others who are Deaf, it also serves as a membership card into a linguistic subculture of our society that not everyone is privileged to enjoy.

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The use of communication

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What is Deaf Culture?

By Joanne Cripps
Edited by Anita Small

Deaf Culture - how does one define it? Where do we find Deaf Culture? Who decides that this is a culture? What constitutes Deaf Culture? These are questions we are commonly asked.

Deaf Culture is the heart of the Deaf community everywhere in the world. Language and culture are inseparable. They are intertwined and passed down through generations of Deaf people. The Deaf community is not based on geographic proximity like Chinatown or the Italian District for example. The Deaf community is comprised of culturally Deaf people in the core of the community who use a sign language (e.g. American Sign Language or Langue des Signes Quebecois) and appreciate their heritage, history, literature, and culture. The Deaf community is also comprised of other individuals who use the language and have an attitude that makes them an accepted part of the community though they may not be in the core of the community. It exists because of the need to get together, the need to relax and enjoy everything while being together. Deaf culture exists because Deaf people who are educated at residential Deaf schools develop their own Deaf network once they graduate, to keep in touch with everyone. Most of them go on to take on leadership positions in the Deaf community, organize Deaf sports, community events, etc. and become the core of the Deaf community. They ensure that their language and heritage are passed to other peers and to the next generation. They also form links with parents and siblings of Deaf children to strengthen and enlarge the community circle for Deaf children.

Language and culture are interrelated. Sign language (1) is central to any Deaf person, child or adult for their intellectual, social, linguistic and emotional growth but to truly internalize the language, they must have the culture that is embedded in the language. Every linguistic and cultural group has its own way of seeing and expressing how they see and interpret the world and interact in it.

Culture consists of language, values, traditions, norms and identity (Padden, 1980). Deaf culture meets all five sociological criteria for defining a culture. Language refers to the native visual cultural language of Deaf people, with its own syntax (grammar or form), semantics (vocabulary or content) and pragmatics (social rules of use). It is highly valued by the Deaf community because it's visually accessible. Values in the Deaf community include the importance of clear communication for all both in terms of expression and comprehension. Deaf residential schools and Deaf clubs are important because of the natural social interaction they offer. Preserving American Sign Language (ASL) literature, heritage, Deaf literature and art are other examples of what we value. (ASL and LSQ [Langue Des Signes Quebecois] are both valued by Deaf Canadians). Only until recently has there been research about Deaf Art (2). In 1989 a group of American Deaf artists created the term De'VIA meaning 'art with a Deaf view'. It is to entertain, share and educate in ways that express Deaf experience through their eyes. If we study Deaf art, we would notice emphasis on the hands and face, contrasting textures and strong intense colours (Small, 2000). Traditions include the stories kept alive through Deaf generations, Deaf experiences and expected participation in Deaf cultural events. Norms refer to rules of behaviour in the deaf community. All cultures have their own set of behaviours that are deemed acceptable. For Deaf people, it includes getting someone's attention appropriately, using direct eye contact and correct use of shoulder tapping. Norms of behavior often cause cross-cultural conflicts between Deaf and hearing people when the individuals are unaware of how their norms may be affecting their interactions and perceptions of each other's intents. Identity is one of the key components of the whole person. Accepting that one is Deaf and is proud of his/her culture and heritage and a contributing member of that society is key to being a member of the cultural group.

Communication is not a barrier for Deaf people when interacting in the Deaf community because they do not have to depend on an interpreter. This permits great opportunities for social skills, leadership and self-worth to flourish. It is all about Deaf children mingling together, playing sports and studying and learning together. When interacting in the Deaf community where Deaf culture is the norm, Deaf people are truly in an inclusive environment. At times people believe they can foster culture if they place Deaf children in a mainstream setting by including several Deaf children or periodically taking them to Deaf events like Mayfest (the annual gathering of Deaf people in Ontario). While it is good to make these experiences part of the child's life it is not possible to truly immerse the child in Deaf culture if one is mainstreamed. This is because Deaf culture is not taught either explicitly or implicitly through periodic experiences. Deaf culture is lived on a daily basis - like breathing.

Deaf culture exists in residential Deaf schools. Many view it as THE vehicle for community development. Deaf children in residential schools are naturally enculturated. This is not to say that all children must live in the dorm, but rather they must have access to the Deaf environment it provides e.g. after school activities. There may be hearing people who do not know or follow the customs, traditions and norms of the Deaf community. There may be Deaf or hard of hearing people who were not previously in a situation to be enculturated - those who have not experienced a Deaf environment. They may use hearing aids, they may have cochlear implants, they may choose to speak in certain situations, they may be able and choose to respond to hearing people who speak to them, etc. In the residential schools people establish "shared meanings". When trying to communicate from different cultural perspectives, shared meanings can be difficult to achieve. So, in some ways, it might be safer to stay within one's own known cultural boundaries - that is, it might be easier and feel safer NOT to assimilate or be mainstreamed (3).

Deaf students who are mainstreamed miss out on the feeling of belonging that individuals from the Deaf culture associate with their residential schools and their experience is very different from those who attend residential school. Mainstreamed students often are singled out in many respects. Although they have access to interpreters, notetakers and other special assistive devices, they still may be loners, especially in a mainstream environment where there are few other students with hearing losses (Gilliam and Easterbrooks, 1997).
Some of them may feel they are patronized by those who assume they have a negative experience or are not really part of Deaf Culture. Lack of proper supports in the classroom and the opportunity to interact with other Deaf children and adults can result in extreme isolation and segregation of the Deaf child. People from very different backgrounds are able to find common ground (4). That is what being Deaf means. Some places do not have residential schools. Without the exposure of the Deaf community, culture will not exist.

The question most often asked is where mainstreamed students who are now adults fit in Deaf Culture? While residential schools are at the root of the Deaf community, Deaf people who were mainstreamed can still be part of the Deaf community and share in its culture. This is not to say that the transition from a mainstreamed upbringing to an adult life in the Deaf community is always easy. Many people who were mainstreamed say that they feel caught between the hearing and Deaf worlds while fully belonging to neither. It is important for Deaf adults from diverse backgrounds to recognize and accept their differences, while maintaining respect for Deaf language and culture. This way the Deaf community can be a welcoming place for many people, where there is room for growth and identity development.

Residential Deaf schools are at the root of the Deaf community. They are at the root of maintaining and expanding cultural development when Deaf students finish school. Mainstreamed adults can enjoy the same opportunity. They are part of the Deaf community and so share in its culture.

Deaf Culture more than makes up the difference, for lack of the Deaf school in adult life. It is just a way of life, an independent life, including the ability to make decisions, to be free to go where we want to go, free to visit friends who share common ground. It is really a very comfortable life. It is not a lonely or isolated life. When active in the Deaf community, we become contributing members of both Deaf and hearing society. It makes life full and meaningful.

From our heart, this is what Deaf Culture is. It needs to be taken care of, so it can take care of us all!

1. Sign Language refers to the language that the Deaf community uses, e.g. Deaf people in Japan would use Japanese Sign Language; other sign languages include Swedish Sign Language, Langue des Signes Quebecois, etc.)
2. Email correspondence, Angela Stratiy, June 2002
3. Interview with Dr. Richard Dart, Milton, Ontario - To Be Enculturated or Not to Be Enculturated, September 2001
4. Correspondence with Kristin Snoddon, Toronto, Ontario - Mainstreaming can result in the extreme isolation and segregation of the Deaf child, February 11, 2002
References:
Carbin (1996), Deaf Heritage in Canada: A Distinctive, Diverse and Enduring Culture, McGraw Hill Ryerson Ltd, Ontario.

Carroll and Mather (1997), Movers & Shakers: Deaf People Who Changed the World, DawnSign Press, California.

Cripps (2000), Quiet Journey: Understanding the Rights of Deaf Children, Ginger Press, Ontario.

Small, (2000). Freckles and Popper: A Guide for Parents and Teachers to Accompany the American Sign Language and English Literature Videotape Series, CCSD, Ontario.

Gilliam and Easterbrooks (1997), Educating Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Residential Life, ASL and Deaf Culture, ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, Virginia.

Gibson, Small and Mason (1997), Encyclopedia of Language and Education in Cummins and Carsons (eds), Volume 5, Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands.

Ladd Paddy (1990), Second Stage in the Development of that process, paper presentation at the British Deaf Association's Centenary Congress, A Deaf American Monograph.

Lane (1992), The Mask of Benevolence, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York.

Lane, Hoffmeister and Bahan (1996), Journey Into the Deaf World, Dawn Sign Press, CA

Padden and Humphries (1988), Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture, Harvard University Press, MA

Pizzacalla and Cripps (1995), Conflict Resolution Program for the Culturally Deaf , Conflict Resolution Symposium: 1995, The Mediation Centre at Carleton University, Ontario.

Roots (1999), The Politics of Visual Language, Carleton University Press, Ontario.

Van Cleve and Crouch (1989), A Place of Their Own: Creating the Deaf Community in America, Gallaudet University Press, Washington D.C.

Van Cleve, John Vickrey (1993), Deaf History Unveiled: Interpretations from the New Scholarship, Gallaudet University Press, Washington D.C.

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What is Deaf Culture? | DEAF CULTURE CENTRE

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What is Deaf Culture? By Joanne CrippsEdited by Anita Small Deaf Culture – how does one define it? Where do we find Deaf Culture? Who decides that this is a culture? What constitutes Deaf Culture? These are questions we are commonly asked. Deaf Culture is the heart of the Deaf community everywhere i…

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Wearing non-clear mask

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This video is from a local Deaf student and how she has been impacted by wearing masks---video conducted by Brooke Hare

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How Deaf individuals rely on lip-reading

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1. I Work Out at an Illegal Gym in Michigan. No One Wears Masks.

2. The Unimaginable Hell of Postpartum Insomnia

3. That Time Tig Notaro's Stepdad "Died" on FaceTime

4. The Country That Was Built to Fall Apart

Coronavirus Diaries is a series of dispatches exploring how the coronavirus is affecting people's lives. For the latest public health information, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. For Slate's coronavirus coverage, click .
I've been deaf since birth, but it's not something I think about a lot. I use cochlear implants, which consist of an external device that picks up sound and sends it to an internal system that transmits signals to the brain. With implants, context interpretation, facial cues, and lip-reading, I can comprehend more than 95 percent of speech in a quiet situation.

As mask regulations spring up, the likelihood of being able to have a conversation where I understand what is going on has dropped dramatically. Facial coverings muffle sound, and tightfitting masks distort pronunciation. I can't see your lips moving. In other words, I can hear you-but I can't understand you.

Just about everyone, regardless of hearing ability, picks up information from seeing others' faces, and most people lip-read to some degree. But deaf and hard of hearing people do it more, especially in noisy places. I don't sign, but people who do also use facial expressions to help to connote meaning in American Sign Language.

When I'm somewhere noisy, and a person speaking to me is wearing a mask, my speech comprehension is abysmal. I can understand about 20 percent of what is being said, which is functionally useless. Early in the pandemic, at the end of a stressful two-hour grocery trip, the cashier was trying to explain that she couldn't use my reusable bags. She seemed frustrated when I couldn't answer simple questions. She was clearly stressed and needed to call in a second cashier before I understood what the problem was.

Another time, I decided to treat myself to bubble tea after several weeks of isolating alone. I ordered my usual-black tea, soy milk, and boba-but for some reason I still don't understand, they couldn't make it. I broke down my request: "Do you have black tea?" "Yes." "Do you have soy milk?" "Yes." "Do you have boba?" "Yes." "But you can't combine them?" "Mumble, mumble, mumble." I ended up saying, "Give me your favorite drink."

In situations like these, I debate disclosing my hearing loss in the hope of eliciting more patience, but in the frenzy of these situations, it often doesn't make sense. Understanding that the world is not designed for me evokes anger and unnecessary shame.

If someone raises their mask to speak to me, we are both put at greater risk of contracting COVID-19, but at least I can understand them. I am constantly calculating the risks of getting sick, or possibly getting someone else sick, versus the cost of missing or misunderstanding important information, losing social interactions, and minimizing the shame I feel when I ask others to prioritize my needs over their comfort and safety.

On a walk, I ran into friends of mine who are aware of this particular challenge. One of them immediately pulled her mask off and situated herself far away from me. Her husband shot her a look and whispered in her ear, then kept his mask on. "It's fine," she responded to him. For the rest of the conversation, I could understand her, but she had to tell me what he was saying. I felt bad that I put them in a situation where they had to make this decision, but his refusal to take off his mask made me feel that his health trumped my right to participate in the conversation. Perhaps it does. Thankfully, I live in an area with relatively few cases, but as the number increases, my own personal calculus keeps shifting.

What happens if I am hospitalized with COVID-19? My childhood dentist always lifted his mask so I could understand him, but no medical professional will do that now. Nor should they. Well-meaning friends send me articles about clear masks designed to allow lip-reading. However, these don't provide the same level of protection as some others do. And how would this even work? I could ask friends to wear them when we're together, but what about at the grocery store or while doing my job as an essential local government employee? Am I supposed to carry around a stash to hand off to everyone I come in contact with? Besides, every company that makes them is out of stock.

Aside from simple accommodations like whiteboards at essential businesses if people need them, I guess what I'd like is compassion. If you know or suspect someone is in my position, consider lifting your mask up from 6 feet away when we're having a conversation. Someone behind a mask-or someone who isn't wearing a mask-might be in circumstances you don't understand. The pandemic has made it even clearer that the world is not made for people with disabilities. We shouldn't have to deal with shame while going to the grocery store and doing the same things that are lifelines to everyone right now.

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I'm Deaf and I Lip-Read. All Those Masks Are Presenting a Problem.

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I Work Out at an Illegal Gym in Michigan. No One Wears Masks. The Unimaginable Hell of Postpartum Insomnia That Time Tig Notaro's Stepdad "Died" on FaceTime The Country That Was Built to Fall Apart Coronavirus Diaries is a series of dispatches exploring how the coronavirus is affecting people's lives.

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How clear mask help the Deaf Community

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A homemade mask for those with hearing loss. (iStock)

It's the summer of the mask. Homemade, commercial, makeshift or couture, mask mandates mean people's lips are increasingly covered, if not sealed, in an attempt to curb transmission of the novel coronavirus.

But for millions of people who live with hearing loss in the United States, masks can make communication harder.

Many deaf and hard-of-hearing people rely on facial cues and speech reading, also known as lip reading, to communicate. And most available masks cover up the lips that convey critical communication clues.

There's a workaround hearing people can use to help those who rely on lips and facial cues: clear masks.

The Delaware Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a nonprofit group for speech-language pathologists and other hearing specialists, has instructions for a homemade, deaf-friendly mask on its website. The mask features a clear vinyl panel that showcases the mouth so deaf and hard-of-hearing people can see and interpret facial cues.

A 2017 study found that people with hearing issues had better speech perception in noisy conditions when the talker wore a transparent surgical mask. According to the National Institutes of Health, 1 in 8 people ages 12 or over in the United States has hearing loss.

The masks are in demand; a representative from ClearMask, one of the few commercial clear mask companies, told NPR's Yuki Noguchi that demand had "skyrocketed."

But as novelist Sara Nović warned in The Washington Post, the masks are no panacea.

"For these specialized masks to help," she writes, "it's not those of us who are deaf or hard of hearing who have to wear them. Instead, it's hearing people who want to make themselves understood." To unlock the true potential of clear masks for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, she says, "We need you to do your part."

The free mask pattern can be found at bit.ly/maskclear.

Updated April 19, 2021

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For those with hearing loss, face coverings make communication difficult. The solution? See-through masks.

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It's the summer of the mask. Homemade, commercial, makeshift or couture, mask mandates mean people's lips are increasingly covered, if not sealed, in an attempt to curb transmission of the novel coronavirus. But for millions of people who live with hearing loss in the United States, masks can make communication harder.

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All of the solutions

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Information on where you can buy a clear mask

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Information on where you can buy a clear mask

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The virus pandemic has created substantial accessibility challenges for people who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as others with communication differences and disabilities. Although specially designed clear face masks for deaf people can help address these communication barriers, they sold out quickly and became hard to find. Therefore, there are still thousands wondering, "Where can I buy a clear face mask?"

Luckily, the answer now is "Lots of places!" Pandemic Pal is dedicated to helping people with all kinds of disabilities get the personal protective equipment they need, including the d/Deaf community and allies. We've put together this guide to help you buy the best clear face masks for sale now.
Quick Search: Etsy Quick Search: Amazon
Or keep scrolling for see through mask reviews and recommendations.

Why Deaf People Need Clear Face Masks

People wearing paper or cloth face masks often sound muffled, plus you cannot see their mouth to read their lips, and facial expressions are hidden.

People who are hard of hearing or deaf use lip reading as part of their strategy to communicate with hearing people. However, lip reading alone is usually not enough to fully understand someone, as mouth movements for different syllables and words can look alike. Rather, deaf and hard of hearing people rely on a combination of lip reading, facial expressions, sounds they can hear and context to determine what someone is saying.

Facial expressions are a key element of American Sign Language (ASL). People communicating in ASL rely on mouth movements and expressions for tone and nuance. Sign language interpreters are essential workers who translate for Deaf people in hospitals, courts, workplaces, and more, so they also need see-through masks.

Others Who Need Transparent Face Masks

Clear facemasks can benefit many people within and outside the disability community. Children and adults on the autism spectrum often have difficulty understanding social cues and struggle to read facial expressions, making communicating with people wearing standard masks especially challenging. Speech-language therapists need clear window masks, as a key part of their job involves modeling mouth movements for their patients. And teachers for children with and without disabilities can connect better with students when their smiles aren't hidden.

Can I Buy a Window Mask If I'm Not Part of These Communities?

Yes, you can. Although there was a shortage at the beginning of the pandemic, the crafting community has stepped up and numerous people with sewing machines are now making clear masks for sale to anybody who needs or wants one. There are enough to go around. Whether you have a disability or not, it's stressful and draining to go through life unable to see people's faces. So if a window mask would help you connect with loved ones and people around you for any reason, you can purchase one without worry.

How to Stop Your Clear Mouth Mask From Fogging Up

Sometimes the clear plastic portion of the mask will fog up as you breathe, obscuring the view of your mouth. Luckily, there are a few solutions to this problem. If you haven't bought a mask yet, choose one of the clear face masks for sale below made with anti-fog vinyl. You can spread a thin layer of dish soap or shaving cream on the inside vinyl, then wipe the excess with a cloth. Lens wipes for eyeglasses also work!

Medical Effectiveness of Clear Face Masks for Deaf People

It's important to note that the masks listed on this page are non-medical grade. Most of them are essentially the same as a cloth face covering, except with a piece of flexible plastic or vinyl in the center to show the mouth. In other words, they should offer about as much protection as other non-medical masks. However, if you are in a high-risk situation, interacting with someone whom you believe is infected or if you may be infected, you should not use these masks. You will need to use an N95 mask. Medical professionals who are interacting with deaf or hard of hearing contagious patients can use a PAPR respirator, as many of them have clear face shields.
Disclaimer: Pandemic Pal does not sell the products listed below, we are simply providing a service to make them easier to find. While the CDC recommends wearing face masks, we cannot guarantee the quality or effectiveness of any specific product or vendor. Therefore, we make no claims that any products listed on our site will mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose or cure any disease or health condition. This page contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Clear Face Masks We Recommend

These are our favorite clear face masks for sale. We have selected them based on community recommendations, positive reviews, fast shipping, reasonable pricing, and last but not least, style. We believe products made for the disability community should be fashionable as well as functional. We will be updating this list, so if you have a recommendation, let us know! If you are a disabled or chronically ill designer of pandemic safety products, we'd love to feature your products at no cost to you. Fill out our form here and we'll be in touch!

We've looked at many styles of clear face masks for deaf people, and these stand out, making them our #1 pick. Italian Smile's unique design offers significantly more face visibility than other products, while still providing breathability. They make child and adult sizes with several cheerful trim colors. They are made with anti-fog, recycled PVC, so they're environmentally conscious, too. We can see these taking off in popularity as they are highly fashionable! They ship from the USA within 3 business days, so you'll get your order quickly.

These fabulous clear face masks for sale are proof that being fashionable and protecting others don't have to be mutually exclusive. The 20 or so fabrics to choose from really pop and provide great nose coverage for breathability, but there's also plenty of clear space to show that smile. They send free lens wipes with every purchase to help prevent the vinyl from fogging up. They've received numerous five-star reviews from sign language interpreters, teachers, and speech therapists, so you can shop with confidence. Plus they ship within one business day and even offer expedited shipping, which means they will arrive faster than any other mask on our list.

These clear masks are made by a deaf person, Alexandra. She says, "This mask allows people like myself to 'hear' again and see everyone's beautiful smiles and expressions." They are available in child and adult sizes and plenty of colors. They're made to order, so they will take longer to arrive, but if you can wait, it's worth it to support a deaf designer!

These clear face masks for deaf and hard of hearing are popular and have great reviews. They come in child and adult sizes, and reviewers say they stay in place much better than other masks they've tried. You can buy in bulk to get your family and friends, special education department, or therapy clinic outfitted quickly. They have recently added more colors to their range - yay! And they ship in 1 business day!

This communicator cloth mask features a clear window for hearing impaired people who lip read, ASL interpreters and anyone who needs their beautiful smile to be seen! It has a built-in nose wire and features 2 layers of quilter's cotton fabric. They ship within 3 business days from the USA, so they're perfect if you need fast delivery.

This face mask has a transparent section designed for enabling lip reading while staying securely in place. According to the sellers, it was designed by and is recommended for deaf people, speech therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists and other practitioners working with deaf children and adults. The border fabric is 100% cotton and comes in 49 colors and patterns to choose from, with an aluminum nose wire to ensure a snug fit. They use anti-fog vinyl for the window. They take 1-2 weeks to make and then ship from Greece, so they're ideal if you're shopping from Europe.

These clear masks for sale are well-suited for sign language interpreters and teachers. They offer great nose coverage and are low in cost. They are available in a variety of floral patterns.

Free Masks for Disabled People in Need

Need a mask but can't afford one? Diversability's #Masks4Disability project in partnership with the Global Shapers Community provides free, accessible face masks to anyone in the disability community and their care team in the US. If you are disabled and still need a mask, visit http://bit.ly/masks4disability.

Clear Masks In Stock

Didn't find what you needed above? Check out more clear face mask options in stock now at Amazon.
This section is automatically updated 3 times per day. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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7 Clear Face Masks for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, Interpreters and Teachers

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The virus pandemic has created substantial accessibility challenges for people who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as others with communication differences and disabilities. Although specially designed clear face masks for deaf people can help address these communication barriers, they sold out quickly and became hard to find.