A Japanese company has created a “smart” mask that aims to improve communication for people wearing face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The use of face masks has become the new normal in parts of the world still struggling to reduce spread of the coronavirus. However, masks and other kinds of coverings can affect the quality of communication between wearers. It can be more difficult to hear voices through the coverings. Many business and public spaces also have social distancing barriers in place, which also make it harder for people to be heard and understood. The wearable electronic device is designed to help improve speech interactions in such conditions.
Title: ‘Smart’ Face Mask Aims to Improve Communication in New Normal
Content: <div id='article-page'><div id='article-content' data-media-url='//news-app-staging.s3.amazonaws.com' data-base-url='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/A.wav' data-capture-url='//staging.analytics.lingraphica.com/events/capture_news' data-article-title='Smart Face Mask Aims to Improve Communication in New Normal' data-article-id='4942'><script src='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/javascripts/getscripts.js'></script><link rel='stylesheet' href='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/stylesheets/article.css' type='text/css' /><div class='article'><p><span data-start-time='0' data-end-time='15125'>A Japanese company has created a “smart” mask that aims to improve communication for people wearing face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.</span> <span data-start-time='15125' data-end-time='27438'>The use of face masks has become the new normal in parts of the world still struggling to reduce spread of the coronavirus. </span> <span data-start-time='27438' data-end-time='38167'>However, masks and other kinds of coverings can affect the quality of communication between wearers.</span> <span data-start-time='38167' data-end-time='44271'>It can be more difficult to hear voices through the coverings. </span> <span data-start-time='44271' data-end-time='58917'>Many business and public spaces also have social distancing barriers in place, which also make it harder for people to be heard and understood.</span> <span data-start-time='58917' data-end-time='68833'>The wearable electronic device is designed to help improve speech interactions in such conditions.</span> </p></div><div class='control-buttons-sticky' style='display:none;'><div class='control-buttons'><button title='Back' class='back' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Play' class='play' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Pause' class='pause' style='display:none;'></button><button title='Forward' class='forward' disabled='disabled'></button><button class='finished-reading' style='display:none;'>Done</button></div></div></div><div id='article-media'><div id='media-image'><img src='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/A.jpg'/></div></div><div id='question-content' style='display:none;'><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=15598 data-hint-location='44271' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/what_does_social_distancing_mean.wav'>What does social distancing mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='keeping at least 6 feet from other people '><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/reading_about_social_etiquette.wav'><span>reading about social etiquette</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/planning_a_destination_wedding.wav'><span>planning a destination wedding</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/keeping_at_least_6_feet_from_other_people_.wav'><span>keeping at least 6 feet from other people </span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/traveling_a_long_distance_to_go_to_a_party.wav'><span>traveling a long distance to go to a party</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=15599 data-hint-location='0' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/why_did_a_japanese_company_create_the_smart_mask.wav'>Why did a Japanese company create the smart mask?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='to improve communication for people wearing face coverings'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/for_those_concerned_about_bad_breath.wav'><span>for those concerned about bad breath</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/to_improve_communication_for_people_wearing_face_coverings.wav'><span>to improve communication for people wearing face coverings</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/for_people_who_do_not_like_to_smile.wav'><span>for people who do not like to smile</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/to_eliminate_the_need_to_go_to_the_dentist.wav'><span>to eliminate the need to go to the dentist</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=15600 data-hint-location='38167' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/_it_can_be_difficult_to_hear_voices_through__blank_.wav'> It can be difficult to hear voices through <span class='blank'>face coverings</span>.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='face coverings'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/stereo_speakers.wav'><span>stereo speakers</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/face_coverings.wav'><span>face coverings</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/a_megaphone.wav'><span>a megaphone</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4411/a_smartphone.wav'><span>a smartphone</span></div></div></div><div class='question-buttons'><button class='skip-button'></button><button class='hint-button'></button><button class='speak-button'></button></div></div></div>
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