Improving communication for healthcare workers wearing masks
Official title: Voice Amplifier to Enhance Occupational Safety and Critical Care among Masked Providers
Funded at Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation · NIH-10822861 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a special voice amplifier to help healthcare workers communicate more clearly while wearing masks, making it easier for them to care for patients safely and effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Paul, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $357,231 |
| NIH project number | 1R43OH012683-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10822861 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthcare workers who frequently use respiratory protective equipment in critical care settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not work in healthcare or do not require the use of respiratory protective equipment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a voice amplifier designed to enhance speech clarity for healthcare workers who wear respiratory protective equipment, such as masks, while caring for patients. The project aims to create a prototype that can be used in critical care settings, where clear communication is essential for patient safety and effective care. By addressing the challenges posed by diminished speech intelligibility when wearing masks, this intervention seeks to facilitate better verbal exchanges among healthcare providers. The research will involve designing, constructing, and testing the voice amplifier to ensure it meets the needs of healthcare environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve communication among healthcare workers, enhancing patient safety and care quality.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of enhancing communication through technology in healthcare settings is promising, this specific intervention is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation
Saint Paul, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hilden, Matthew G — Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation
- Study coordinator: Hilden, Matthew G
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.