Communicate more clearly with communication adapters for face masks

Face masks lead to communication problems in everyday life – e.g., in doctor's offices. The solution: the communication adapter maskAMP®. © Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Hasan-Tunc Dimetokali

The function prototype of the communication adapter maskAMP® is already in this development stage, and unlike competing products, it does not reduce the comfort of wearing the mask. Additionally, it is flexibly positionable, removable, and rechargeable. © Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Hasan-Tunc Dimetokali

Medical masks have become a part of everyday life during the pandemic. However, their increased virus protection also leads to communication problems. Researchers at Fraunhofer UMSICHT have developed a communication adapter for this problem that amplifies the voice and thus facilitates conversation. Now, the invention is protected under the name maskAMP® and a patent has been granted.

Comedians, singers, and politicians – whenever people speak on a stage, they almost automatically reach for the microphone. In our daily lives, however, we usually understand each other without any aids. With the pandemic and face masks, we also encounter communication problems in everyday situations. Not without reason, at the reception in the doctor's office or at the supermarket checkout, a "Pardon?" is heard more and more often. Fraunhofer IBP has found that masks absorb 5 to 15 decibels of loudness. As a result, the perceived distance to the other person feels twice as large as it actually is.[1]

»In everyday life, people compensate for these mask-related communication problems by speaking louder«, explains Melih-Ahmet Dimetokali, an employee in the IT infrastructure at Fraunhofer UMSICHT. »However, this strains the vocal cords, and sometimes physiological voice production no longer works properly.« The problem is further amplified by minimum distances and soundproof glass panels. The resonance is thus even more restricted, and articulation is hindered. As Fraunhofer IBP has found, this can lead to long-term exhaustion symptoms such as hoarseness, sore throat, but also headaches and fatigue.

With communication adapters, understanding can be improved again

The UMSICHT research team – consisting of Melih-Ahmet Dimetokali, Michael Joemann, and Rasit Özgüç – has developed a removable adapter that amplifies the voice and thus makes conversations easier. »Unlike competing products, the lightweight adapter does not reduce the comfortable wearing experience of the mask«, emphasizes Rasit Özgüç from the Department of Electrochemical Energy Storage. »It was very important to us during development that the amplifier is suitable for everyday use. Because even if the general mask mandate has currently been lifted, there are groups of people who still need to wear face masks regularly before and after the pandemic. In medical and care facilities (doctor's offices, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), for example, the mask requirement remains to particularly protect the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. In Germany alone, around 3.3 million people work in public health.«

An additional advantage of the amplifier is its reusability. Since it can be positioned flexibly and removed, it can be transferred to a new model when changing face masks. Users can easily clean or recharge the adapter. »This already makes it environmentally and resource-friendly compared to existing products on the market, where the electronics are usually permanently integrated into the mask«, explains Özgüç. »Nevertheless, we can meet the increasing demand with low material costs and without minimum production quantities.«

First patent for a communication adapter

For maskAMP®, the UMSICHT researchers have now obtained patent protection for Germany, which is now being extended to a worldwide application. The product includes, on the one hand, the reusable communication adapter for face masks and, on the other hand, the system consisting of the communication adapter and face mask. The method for providing such a system is also covered under the same name. With this, maskAMP® is the first patented communication adapter.

Development from prototype to market readiness

»It will still take some time before the communication adapter is available for purchase«, adds Michael Joemann, one of the co-inventors. »Our system needs to be developed to market readiness. For this, we are looking for licensing partners with the appropriate technological capabilities and distribution channels. Interested parties should contact Rasit Özgüç under the keyword maskAMP®: rasit.oezguec@umsicht.fraunhofer.de or call 0208 8598-1141.

[1] Fraunhofer »Das Magazin«, Issue 4.20, pages 30-31.