Problems exacerbated by the pandemic
The pandemic has forced health authorities to impose several measures in order to prevent the transmission of the virus. However, these measures are major obstacles to communication. Let us think of the wearing of the mask which alters everyone’s communication, and more affects people living, for example, with a hearing loss, a language disorder, aphasia or for young children in full language development. Indeed, this physical barrier deafens the voice, weakens sound, prevents lip reading and understanding emotions, thus hampering effective communication.
The social distancing imposed by health measures makes the exchange of information even more difficult for people, such as the elderly, who depend on the proximity of the interlocutor to understand and interact.
The offloading of services also has its share of consequences. The OOAQ is concerned about people with acquired communication disorders, such as aphasia, or young children who are waiting for an audiology or speech-language pathology assessment, and who are not currently receiving the required services. The interruption of schooling and the modification or termination of professional services in schools will also weaken certain young people and repercussions on their mental health are to be expected in the coming years.
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