Digital platforms for students with hearing disabilities: a systematic review of inclusive tools and pedagogical challenges

Abstract

This qualitative literature review explores the use of digital platforms to adapt educational activities for students with hearing disabilities. Studies published between 2019 and 2025 were systematically reviewed. Five key platforms were identified Moodle, Microsoft Teams, Edpuzzle, YouTube, and AVA, for their ability to integrate synchronized subtitles, real-time transcription, and multimodal content. Case studies report improvements in student engagement, comprehension, and motivation when these tools are implemented under pedagogical approaches aligned with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). However, challenges persist, including insufficient teacher training, unequal access to technology, and a lack of regionally contextualized research in Latin America. The findings underscore the importance of applying the TPACK model to integrate technological, pedagogical, and disciplinary knowledge effectively. It is concluded that while digital platforms offer strong inclusive potential, their real impact depends on teacher preparation, infrastructure availability, and consistent institutional policies that foster inclusive educational ecosystems. This study is part of the research project "Fortalecimiento del nivel didáctico-pedagógico de los docentes en las instituciones educactivas del cantón Jipijapa" and contributes to the linkage project "Tareas dirigidas y apoyo psicopedagógico para fortalecer el aprendizaje de los alumnos en la Educación Básica Pública de Jipijapa – Phase II, 2024".