Mask your word, mask my world: mask wearing behavior in Chinese deaf people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Community mask wearing can effectively reduce the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, it may also hinder face-to-face interpersonal communication, particularly for deaf individuals who depend on non-manual articulations to convey and comprehend various types meanings. The current research, first time in literature, quantitatively assessed hypothesis that are less likely comply with policies during pandemic than their hearing counterparts because face coverings negatively impact everyday communication. Across two studies, Chinese people exhibited lower adherence self-report actual behavior typical-hearing individuals. It be taking off masks facilitate communication among loss. These findings have important implications both public health preventive measures hearing-impaired populations.