Regular physical activity improves health, yet Deaf/hard-of-hearing (DHH) and blind/low-vision (BLV) individuals face persistent barriers to participation. Accessible fitness apps could improve health equity if they are discoverable in mainstream marketplaces and include meaningful accessibility features that support participation.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for clinical audiology practice; findings highlight a gap in accessible health app design that may inform patient technology counseling but require further research before clinical recommendations.
As audiologists increasingly recommend digital health tools, understanding the landscape of accessible apps for deaf and hard-of-hearing users is essential for equitable patient care.
- 01Study assessed discoverability of health/fitness apps tailored for deaf/hard-of-hearing and blind/low-vision users.
- 02Evaluated accessibility features present within identified apps.
- 03Published in Frontiers in Digital Health, a peer-reviewed open-access journal.
- 04Relevant to audiologists advising patients on technology and self-management tools.
- 05Design details (sample size, methods) not provided in the available abstract.
Health and fitness apps for deaf/hard-of-hearing users have measurable discoverability and accessibility characteristics.
studyunclear- PMID
- 42676746
- DOI
- 10.3389/fdgth.2026.1864883.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Digital Health
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Health and fitness mobile applications targeting deaf/hard-of-hearing and blind/low-vision users
- Intervention
- Systematic assessment of app discoverability and accessibility features
Primary outcomes
Discoverability of targeted health/fitness apps; Presence and quality of accessibility features
