Difficulty in auditory perception in mask users of individual protection in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that took place in Brazil in 2020, the use of an individual protective mask such as PPE was recommended as mandatory in teaching practices in healthcare services. Thus, preceptors, professors and undergraduates of health courses started to use this PPE daily. These can make communication difficult due to the difficulty in auditory perception they cause in some individuals. Objective: To verify the changes in auditory perception that health care teachers and preceptors, users of individual protection masks, presented during their work period. Method: Twenty-one higher education professionals in the health area of ​​an HEI in São Paulo, aged between 30 and 68 years old and of both sexes, participated in the study. All responded to a questionnaire sent digitally, with questions relevant to the topic, after accepting the Informed Consent Form. Data analysis was performed qualitatively and descriptively. Conclusion: The results of this research allowed tracking of information and possible impacts that may limit the communication of teachers and preceptors in the health area in their work routine with the use of personal protective masks (PPE). In the studied population, reports were identified about difficulties in hearing perception during the working day, especially in individuals with extensive workload, in addition to fatigue and vocal effort, especially in a noisy environment.
Descriptors: auditory perception, communication, hearing, COVID-19, personal protective equipment