Written by: Laura Janzen / Communication Coaching / December 16, 2020 / 10 minutes read

We all know 2020 has brought many challenges that we have had to overcome and adapt to. One of the biggest changes is the new way we have to interact with each other. There has been a huge shift towards virtual communication in the business world and Zoom parties are the new norm in socialization. However, there are still times when we have to communicate in person and this situation presents its own unique set of complications due to Covid-19 precautions. 

Speaking clearly can be challenging for many people, even in the most ideal environment. Whether you tend to mumble, speak quietly or aren’t a native speaker of English – you may already be familiar with being asked to repeat yourself often. Throw in a cloth mask plus six feet of social distance and your muffled messages are even less likely to be understood. 

Wearing a mask muffles the sounds of speech and can make higher pitched voices difficult to understand. Additionally, face coverings remove our ability to get visual cues from lip movements and facial expressions, which are very helpful for understanding speech. 

Although 6 feet of social distance may only be a moose away from your fellow Canadian, this amount of space is enough to cause sound levels to decrease and speech to seem quieter. Additionally, being further away means the non-verbal cues we might get from the exposed half of the other person’s face are even more difficult to discern. Finally, we can’t use typical strategies like leaning in or getting closer to indicate that we have not understood the speaker’s message. 

So how can you project your message clearly while still protecting your health?

These two tips may seem obvious but, just like our speech sounds, they cannot be glossed over. Allowing your words and sounds to blend together will make speech very challenging for the listener to decipher, especially with the additional barrier that masks create. Be sure to say every sound of every word especially the last sound. This will help to create boundaries between words and allow your message to come across more clearly. Additionally, increasing your volume through healthy projection (increased breath support) will allow you to be heard when speaking to someone from a distance.

Speaking quickly negatively impacts the clarity of speech. Although your mouth may be able to move a million miles a minute, your listener will likely be unable to keep up. Additionally, if you do not pause between ideas, it can be very difficult for others to absorb the information you are providing to them.

Since we are lacking facial expression and are unable to get closer to indicate a communication breakdown has occurred, it is important to confirm with others that they have understood and to ask for clarification if you are unsure of what the other person has said.

If your message can be strengthened through pointing or gesturing use these non-verbal communication strategies to your advantage in order to help your communication partner understand what you’re saying.

Before beginning to speak, make sure you have your communication partner’s full attention. Furthermore, optimize your environment for communication by going to a quiet place and removing distractions whenever possible.

If you have already tried the above strategies and are still finding yourself constantly being asked to repeat your message, there are other options for face coverings that are more conducive to speech. These include masks with clear panels over the mouth and/or clear face shields that allow the listener to see your mouth movements.

In summary, quarantine has many unavoidable challenges, but clear communication doesn’t need to be one of them. If you are a soft speaker or tend to mumble, remember to speak at a slightly higher volume and say your sounds clearly. Use all the tools available to you, including setting yourself up for success by removing noise/distractions, strengthening your message through non-verbal communication and asking for confirmation or clarification if you are unsure of what someone has said. Finally, using a face covering or face shield with a clear barrier will allow for lip reading as well as being able to show off your winning smile! If you are struggling to communicate through covid-19 precautions, speech therapists are here to help. We can provide strategies and feedback that will help you maximize the clarity and impact of your message, so you stay connected while staying safe.

To speak with one of the speech-language pathologists at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, schedule an initial consultation by clicking the link below or calling (647) 795-5277.