Información del artículo Leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) to Enhance Accessibility and   Independence for People with Disabilities

The paper presents the design and development of a hearing aid with intelligent features aimed at helping patients with hearing disabilities to recognise sound and automatically adapt the audio based on different levels of hearing loss. This study was carried out to evaluate several algorithms for the design of hearing aids and to verify the performance and efficacy of a smart hearing aid. The aim of the research was to carry out research and to guide in development of innovative and affordable hearing aids for those who have hearing loss. As reviewed, new technologies are now available, and hearing aid technology development has greatly advanced throughout time. The market offers a range of advanced hearing aids, including Completely-in-Canal (CIC) rechargeable devices, custom-fit titanium designs, AI-driven sound processing, Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids and wireless charging with AI integration inbuilt. The primary flaw in all hearing aids is their intricate designs, which make them expensive and often unaffordable for many segments of society. Depending on the features and technology, hearing aids can range in price from $950 to $6000 per pair, creating a significant cost barrier for those in need. The findings from this study aim to review and compare existing smart hearing aids in the market, focusing on their ability to differentiate between desirable and undesirable sounds and their interoperability with various interfaces. This study solely focuses on analyzing the existing products and their limitations.

Barriers, such as inadequate accessibility and accommodation, may impede employment access and progression for people with disabilities (PwDs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study examined how assistive technology (AT) utilization influences the employment experiences of PwDs in KSA. We explored AT types in use and whether gender, age, and disability type shape AT effectiveness. We sought to identify challenges hindering AT adoption, and effectiveness in workplaces. We explored potential remedies through government and corporate actions. A qualitative case-report study was conducted with 13 PwDs (10 males, 3 females; age range, 26‒47 years) of varying occupations. Diverse disabilities were represented: cognitive impairment, speech impairment, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), visual impairment, mobility impairment, hearing impairment, learning disability, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), physical impairment, and anxiety disorder. Individual interviews were conducted in Arabic with open-ended questions addressing employment opportunities, work challenges, the importance of employment, and employment-related factors. Mixed descriptive and inductive methods were used to identify themes. 

User satisfaction with Assistive Technology (AT) is one of the crucial factors in the success of any AT service. The current study aimed to estimate satisfaction with AT and the reasons for dissatisfaction and unsuitability among persons with functional difficulties in India. Using the WHO Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment tool, a cross-sectional study was conducted in eight districts, representing four zones of India. Multi-stage cluster random sampling and probability proportional to size techniques were used to select smaller administrative units from the larger ones. Satisfaction was reported in terms of assistive products and service delivery. In total, 8486 participants were surveyed out of which 8964 individuals were enumerated with a response rate of 94.6%. Around 22.2% (1888) of participants had functional difficulties and reported using AT, out of which 3.9% (74) were dissatisfied with their products. The assistive products, assessment and training, and repair and maintenance-related services were reported to be satisfied by approximately 92.2% (1740), 88.4% (1669), and 85.2% (1609) of respondents, respectively. Further, 3.2% (61) and 3.7% (70) of respondents reported that their AT was not suitable for home and public environments, respectively. According to 2.8% (53) respondents, their AT did not assist them in executing daily living activities. Discomfort (56.6%), poor fitting (37.7%), low quality of service (20.7%), and poor aesthetic values (18.9%) were identified as reasons for dissatisfaction. Satisfaction was good for AT received from friends and family but was poor for those received from the public sector. The study shows that overall satisfaction and suitability with AT were high among users with functional difficulties, but few have reported barriers to effective device use and facing challenges in accessing repair and follow-up services.