Acceptability of a fabricated hearing aid in Tanay, Rizal / Jerome Q. Delos Santos, Rhoda B. Dela Rama, Rowel G. Navarro.

Thesis Bachelor of Science in Business Administration University of Rizal System 2018

Includes bibliographical references.

The study evaluated the acceptability of a fabricated hearing aid in Tanay, Rizal. This was conducted during the school year 2017-2018. A survey questionnaire-checklist with informal interview was utilized as data gathering instrument. The data gathered were analyzed and tabulated with the use of appropriate statistical tools. The descriptive method of research coupled with purposive sampling techniques were used in this study with five (5) experts, five (5) hearing impaired persons using hearing aid and five (5) hearing impaired persons not using hearing aid totaling to fifteen (15) served as respondents of the study. Statement of the general and specific problems with the corresponding statistical treatment used were presented. On the profile of respondents and their suggestions for the improvement of the fabricated hearing aid, frequency percentage and ranking distribution was used. On the Acceptability of components proposed product and help some hearing impaired respondents from their needs. Based from the analysis and interpretation of data, it was found out that most of the respondents belonged to old age, males, married, and with varying attainment of education, Expert respondents are earning PhP20,000 and above which is attributed to their educational attainment and occupation. Moreover, respondents who are, having hearing impairment using and not using hearing aid also revealed that their respective families were also income earners. Experts are professionals and working, while hearing impaired pursue various types of careers. Finally, the hearing impaired respondents revealed that their hearing loss was mainly due to sickness and infection. Results also denote very affirmative evaluation from the respondents. The cost of the hearing aid under study is very much affordable, battery lifespan is very long, very easy to maintain, very durable, and very safe. Moreover, the respondents believed that the hearing aid's overall quality is very good, and is portable, with acceptable loudness, clear and compatible to use. The evaluations of the three (3) groups of respondents on the acceptability of the fabricated hearing aid do not differ significantly since the computed F-value of 1.56 is lower than tabular value of .88 at .05 level of significant, thus the null hypothesis was accepted. However, the aesthetic aspect of the proposed hearing aid needs to be given immediate attention. Based on the conclusions drawn, it is recommended that the components of the hearing aid should be improved such as the casing, headphone, garble adjustment and compatibility of charger. Interested parties who want to consider the use of the proposed hearing aid should further seek expert advice from audiologist to determine appropriate level of decibel needed in accordance with the degree of hearing impairment. The Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, other government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, Government Organizations and Foundations should be notified of the results of this study so that financial and technical guidance may be extended for the enhancement of the proposed fabricated hearing aid. The aesthetic aspects of the hearing aid should be given attention or be further developed as suggested by the respondents. A parallel of this study can be undertaken to validate the results. Other variables such as marketability patentability, packaging and others can also be considered.