Need facemask hack--so it doesn't loop around my ears!

[ObviouslyNotAGolfer]

Years ago I bought some facemasks from Home Depot (mostly for screening particulates) that looped around the back of my head. They were not very comfortable, but I did like the fact that they did not loop around my ears. I hate that. We use high-grade KN-95 masks whenever we venture out into public these days, but they loop around my ears and pull quite hard. Aside from being uncomfortable, I don't want them to deform my ears (cartilage loses elasciticity with age!) so I look like Dumbo. I like my ears nice and flush against my head, thank you very much!

Any simple hacks that can be quickly and easily done on disposable facemasks? I could certainly rig up something with a large paparclip (not very comfortable) or string (a pain because it has to be done on each and every mask). But, I am looking for easier, quicker, and more comfortable solutions. Thanks.

Any suggestions?

[Morning Glory]

When I worked at the hospital at the beginning of Covid, my coworker's aunt made us all headbands with buttons sewn on for the mask loops, to reduce the pressure on the ears. Mine had super girl on it!!!

https://www.etsy.com/market/mask_headband

[ixtap]

A piece of elastic or knitting with buttons sewn on each end. The loops go on the buttons, instead of your ears. Can be found on Etsy and probably other sources.

[ObviouslyNotAGolfer]

Perfect! Thank to you both.

[nalor511]

Pipe cleaner or twist tie, affix to each ear loop, then it's effectively a headband style mask

[MudPuppy]

Do you wear a hat? You can sew buttons on it.

[Sibley]

There are a million patterns and styles of masks, thanks to covid. The ones I prefer use cord, they go around my head and when I'm not wearing it they hang around my neck.

They look kinda like this: https://www.primary.com/products/the-mask-2-pk-rainbow?variant=39364465819707&color=rainbow-ivory-mix&size=Adult+L%2FXL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoHhm_uZ8gIVAR-tBh3X6Q61EAQYBSABEgJUr_D_BwE

Basically, make your standard mask, but instead of putting elastic on for the ear loops, thread a long piece of cord. You can tie it (my original style), or you can figure out how to do the slip knot in the back so it's a closed loop.

[BudgetSlasher]

If you are set on adapting to the masks you currently own, I would second ... or third or whatever the headband/hat with buttons to use as an anchor point.

If you don't already have a lifetime supply of KN95s, I would suggest shopping around as brands vary in their strap length, level of elasticity, and comfort level. It took me some time to find cloth masks with ear loops that had long enough straps to fit my ears and stay close to my head while still fitting decently as a mask (finally settled on some from duluth). For longer times wearing a mask I still prefer the behind the head strap, again it took some time to find ones that held the mask in place without feeling like they were digging into the back of my head; for kn95 I settled on these https://bonafidemasks.com/black-powecom-kn95-respirator-mask-headband-style-fda-authorized-10-masks-per-pack/. I've worn them for periods in the 12 hour range and even members of my family who are medical professionals have have commented on how comfortable they are ... but YMMV

[GreenToTheCore]

SO swears by this style, ordered from ProtoCAM:

https://www.protocam.com/learningcenter/case-study/production-protection-covid/
 

[Metalcat]

SO swears by this style, ordered from ProtoCAM:

https://www.protocam.com/learningcenter/case-study/production-protection-covid/

There are TONS of companies that make these, they work extremely well.

[lazycow]

Just saw a photo of someone using a Barrel of Monkeys piece. Genius!