11st Supports 240,000 Transparent Masks to Facilitate Communication for the Hearing Impaired

On the 15th, Lee Sang-ho, President of 11st (right in the photo), and Oh Jun, Senior Vice Chairman of Sarangui Dalpaengi (left in the photo), are taking a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement at the headquarters of Sarangui Dalpaengi in Jung-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] 11st has decided to sponsor 400 million KRW for the 'Lip View Mask (transparent mask)' project to help communication for the hearing impaired amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

On the 16th, 11st announced that on the 15th, it signed a business agreement to support the Lip View Mask project at the headquarters of the nonprofit organization Sarangui Dalpaengi, which supports the hearing impaired, located in Jung-gu, Seoul. With a sponsorship of 400 million KRW, a total of 240,000 Lip View Masks will be distributed free of charge by the end of the year.

The Lip View Mask is designed with a transparent film on the front part of the mask so that the mouth shape and facial expressions of the other person can be seen during conversation. This is because general masks do not show the mouth shape, making communication and learning difficult for the hearing impaired. Since May, Sarangui Dalpaengi has been producing Lip View Masks with volunteers through the 'Lip View Mask Sponsorship Campaign' and delivering them to schools and speech therapy rooms where hearing impaired individuals participate.

The 16000 sets, totaling 240,000 masks, to be produced with 11st's sponsorship will be distributed to institutions used by the hearing impaired such as schools and hospitals nationwide, as well as to households with hearing impaired individuals. This scale is sufficient for about 3,200 people to use from August until the end of this year. One set consists of one completed Lip View Mask and 14 replacement masks, which can be used for about 15 days to one month.

Since 2013, 11st has continued social contribution activities through 'Hope Shopping,' which involves sellers and consumers. Since last year, it has been continuously supporting activities for the hearing impaired through Sarangui Dalpaengi. Every year, it supports 11 hearing impaired children with cochlear implant surgery costs, examination fees, and speech rehabilitation therapy costs for post-surgery adaptation, and also sponsors a clarinet ensemble that helps hearing training and social adaptation for the hearing impaired.

Lee Sang-ho, president of 11st, said, “We decided on this sponsorship because we judged it to be essential support for the hearing impaired who are having difficulty communicating due to COVID-19,” and added, “Through 11st Hope Shopping, which is achieved through cooperation with sellers and consumers, we will continue social contributions that provide practical help to our neighbors.”