Effect of Respiratory Protection Devices on Speech Intelligibility Among Healthcare Workers in a Controlled Environment Simulating the Clinical Setting

Modified Rhyme Test (MRT) scores were significantly lower when wearing the CleanSpace Halo (-10.22 points, 95% CI [-11.28, -9.20]) and the elastomeric half mask respirator (EHMR) with or without the exhalation valve filter (-2.28 points, 95% CI [-3.33, -1.20] and -3.22 points, 95% CI [-4.40, -2.18] respectively) after adjusting for noise level, listener respiratory PPE, and correlation within each participant.Conclusions/Applications to practice:Elastomeric half mask respirator (EHMR) decreased speech intelligibility compromising clear communications. Further research on respiratory PPE design is needed to optimize speech intelligibility and communication maximally.