Quebec company puts windows in masks for the hearing impaired

Masks aren’t going away anytime soon. Recognizing this, one Quebec company is working to make face coverings more inclusive.

Entreprise Prémont, based in Louiseville, Quebec, is producing windowed masks so the hearing impaired can read the wearer’s lips. The masks, called Humask-Pro Vision, will be available starting early 2021.

“This revolutionary new product will protect people in the professional and family circle whose facial expressions must be seen to communicate easily in situations and places when two metres of distancing can’t be maintained,” said Entreprise Prémont partner Luc Girard.

The company hopes its innovation will spur other manufacturers to better meet the needs of people with hearing loss. Masks ranging from protection levels 1 to 3 and comply with Health Canada standards.

Entreprise Prémont started producing masks when Quebec experienced a shortage at the beginning of the pandemic. Until then, it specialized in air filters. Expansion – to 25,000 sq. ft of space – started just six months after opening.

Today, the company produces thousands of surgical masks per week. Amazingly, output will speed up to millions of units per week starting in January.