A case study of Filipinos living with hearing assistive devices

Date

6-2024

Academic Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand

Adviser

Job Jonas C. Ruzgal

Principal

Buela, Mabel S.

Abstract

Hearing assistive devices such as hearing aids are crucial to the lives of individuals who experience hearing loss. In the Philippines, despite the increasing number of individuals who sufer from hearing loss, there is still a limited amount of research that has been done on it. This study aims to explore the effects of hearing loss to the lives of individuals experiencing it, the acceptance and use of hearing aids, and the benefits and challenges in using the assistive device. The researchers used a Theoretical Framework, composed of the Self-Determination Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Medical Theory of Disability, as a basis to construct interview questions. The experiences of four hearing aid users with ages ranging from 25-50 were gathered through a semi-structured interview and analyzed through Thematic Analysis. With this, four emergent themes that answer the objectives were identified namely: emotional detachment, sense of belonging/unbelonging, social integration, and socioeconomic constraints. These findings highlight the struggles of individuals with hearing loss in keeping up with their respective settings at school, in the workplace, or in public places. This can lead to the development of negative feelings affecting self-confidence. These feelings and the realizations that come after serve as intrinsic motivation for the use of hearing aids. Meanwhile, the norms on being a responsible member of society serve as extrinsic motivation. Aside from the use of hearing assistive devices, individuals with hearing loss also utilize other communication methods including lipreading and captioning. As a non-apparent disability and the lack of awareness regarding this, hearing loss makes communication a challenge as it can lead to discrimination at worst cases. Other than that, the cost and access to assistive devices and audiological services hinder the use of hearing aids as well because of the lack of laws that benefit individuals with hearing loss.

Language

English

LC Subject

Capstone

Location

UP Rural High School

Document Type

Capstone

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS