Attitude of Hearing-Impaired Children Towards Assistive Technology Utilization

Abstract

Background: Hearing-impaired children face significant challenges in educational and social participation, and while assistive technology (AT) offers potential benefits, its adoption is influenced by multiple attitudinal and contextual factors. Research on these attitudes remains limited in low-resource settings, particularly in Pakistan. Objective: To assess the attitudes of hearing-impaired students toward assistive technology utilization and identify demographic, experiential, and contextual factors influencing their perceptions, with a focus on academic impact and barriers to adoption. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 hearing-impaired students aged 18–25 years in special education centers in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and ANOVA in SPSS v21. Cronbach’s alpha for the attitude scale was 0.834. Results: A total of 46.6% reported using hearing aids, while 54.4% did not. Attitudes toward assistive technology were significantly more positive among those with milder impairments and higher education levels. Financial and maintenance barriers, lack of training, and device availability were key challenges. Hearing aid users reported lower attitude scores than non-users (p<0.001). Conclusion: Attitudes of hearing-impaired children toward assistive technology are influenced by severity of impairment, educational context, and device experience. Addressing financial, technical, and support barriers is critical for enhancing AT adoption and educational outcomes.