@article{ref1,
title="Experience of helmet usage among hearing aid users: a cross sectional study",
journal="International journal of community medicine and public health (Gujarat)",
year="2023",
author="Pradeep, Y. and Sinu, E. and Keerthana, P. and Rahina, A. and Rajasekaran, Aravind K.",
volume="10",
number="7",
pages="2403-2407",
abstract="BACKGROUND: In India, persons with hearing impairment who benefit from hearing aids can acquire a driving license. The law mandates helmet use while driving two-wheelers. Using a hearing aid with a helmet on may be a challenge, but it is paramount to understand the difficulties the hearing aid users face. <br><br>METHODS: A cross-sectional research design was used to study the experience of hearing aid users who ride two-wheelers. A checklist was developed and administered to 15 individuals with hearing impairment who ride two-wheelers. The checklist had 11 questions under three domains; 'Helmet related,' 'Comfort related', and 'Driving/Listening related. The study was carried out in and around Bangalore. The data was collected through the interview method. <br><br>RESULTS: The subjects reported difficulties in the comfort-related and driving/listening-related domains. Many participants felt the need to modify the helmet design to suit hearing aid users. They also felt a need for a special program for driving mode in the hearing aids. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Hearing-impaired two-wheeler riders face problems in localization, fear of hearing aid falling, and sweating using hearing aids while driving. It affects them on two fronts. One, it may pose a risk to others or the hearing impaired themselves on the road. Second, avoiding riding two-wheelers may limit their rights and mobility.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2394-6032",
doi="10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20231792",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20231792"
}