Transparent Mask

The Issue

Everyone has to wear a mask to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, this presents an obstacle to hearing-impaired persons as wearing face masks prevents lip-reading and hamper their ability to communicate and receive information during the coronavirus pandemic. Other than that, service providers, such as doctors, counselors, polices, and social workers, rely on verbal and facial expressions to ensure their messages are delivered as accurately as possible. 

However, most transparent face masks available fail to meet protection standards, and that semi-transparent face masks with anti-pathogen properties reflect and fog up. Also, the transparent surface area is not large enough to reduce the communication challenges of the users.

In view of these pain points, Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) develops a fully transparent face mask, namely 12° Mask. The development of the 12° Mask exemplifies the humanitarian technology approach since the design principle prioritizes the needs of neglected communities (such as the deaf and special education need students) and their service providers.

Product Features

• Ultra-Low Reflection: Inspired by the geometry of stealth fighter jets, the face shield of the 12° Mask combines flat polygonal panes and low protrusion surfaces to minimize reflection.
• Reliable Protection & Breathability: Disposable low-cost H13 HEPA Filter blocks 99.95% of viruses while achieving high breathability.
• Wide Viewing Angle: Unobstructed side panes allow a panoramic view of the wearer's face and lip movement.
• Quick Release Anchors: It allows ear-hook and headbands wearing, which can significantly reduce the burden on people who wear hearing aids for prolonged periods. It also addresses the specific needs of microtia patients and those who need to wear a headscarf.
• Renewable Antiviral Coating: Durable and wipeable with alcohol and water.
• Laugh Out Loud: Flexible silicon seal provides a comfortable and accommodates enthusiastic facial expressions.

 

Award(s)

• Gold award in MUSE Design Award 2021 (Category: Conceptual Design)
• Silver award in the 48th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions

Looking Forward

The mark was donated to people in need with the support of different donations. It was manufactured and commercialized in 2022 and 2023. 

However, the team is now seeking financial support for the mass production of the transparent face mask so it can be made widely available to the public and help people with hearing loss to read lips, show their smiles, and communicate effectively. The next target is to further develop and extend the transparent face mask to other professionals such as teachers, sign language interpreters, speech therapists, and related service workers, providing them a more environmentally friendly and inclusive option.

For Purchase

http://www.12-mask.com

 

Media

05/2021	Reusable and fully transparent filter mask developed by Lingnan University to help the hearing impaired community	Dimsum Daily
05/2021	Lingnan University in Hong Kong designs reusable transparent anti-COVID-19 face mask to promote barrier-free communication for people with hearing loss	Asia Research News
05/2021	嶺大研發新款可重用全透明口罩 方便聽障人士讀唇溝通 [影片報導]	TVB News
05/2021	嶺大研發全透明過濾口罩 協助聽障人士日常交流 [影片報導]	RTHK
05/2021	嶺大研發可重用透明口罩 助聽障人士溝通 有聾人組織倡免費派予前線人員 [影片報導]	i-CABLE News
05/2021	香港嶺南大學研透明口罩助聽障人士讀唇語 [影片報導]	Feng Shows
05/2021	嶺大研發可重用全透明過濾口罩 助聽障人士無障礙溝通	The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf
05/2021	【全透明口罩】嶺大研發可重用透明口罩助聽障人士溝通 料售價低於200元一個	ToPick.hket
05/2021	新冠肺炎｜嶺大研發可重用透明過濾口罩 助聽障人士讀唇溝通	Sky Post
05/2021	嶺大研發透明罩 助聽障者睇口型	Wen Wei Po
08/2021	Reusable face mask to promote barrier-free communication for people with hearing loss	QS Global Education News
09/2021	嶺大“輪椅把手感應系統”揚威國際	Ta Kung Pao
10/2021	Read my lips: Transparent COVID face masks to ease the communication barrier in Hong Kong	Euronews
04/2022	嶺大研發可重用透明膠口罩　抗菌濾毒防霧氣　助聽障人士疫下讀唇 [影片報導]	i-CABLE News

 

 

For enquiry or collaboration opportunities, please contact us at lei@ln.edu.hk.