UMM Students Create Special Masks for the Deaf

Author : Humas | Monday, July 26, 2021 10:00 WIB

Special masks for the deaf made by UMM students. (Photo: Istimewah)

The use of masks in every activity is a must in this current pandemic situation. This was done to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Unfortunately, the use of this mask makes it difficult for the deaf to communicate. Seeing these problems, a team of students from the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) created a transparent mask innovation as the solution.

Habibah Latifus Syaidah, one of the team members explained that this translucent cloth mask consists of two layers of masks. The first outer layer looks like an ordinary mask containing a filter. The filter is required to be replaced every three days. While the second layer inside is a transparent mask. So, that people can see the expressions and lip movements of the deaf and make it easier to communicate.

In addition, they also use waste straws as the primary material for mask straps (mask hooks). According to Habibah, the selection of primary materials made from waste aims to reduce plastic waste that is often encountered. "This is one of our joint efforts to continue to protect the environment and reduce the use of plastic waste," she said.

The idea for this mask originated from the entrepreneurship course they took at UMM. At that time, Habibah and her team created a business model for selling face masks with unique designs. This uniqueness is the potential of the business model they built until finally registering it with the Student Creativity Program - Entrepreneurship (PKM-K). Moreover, it is strengthened by encouragement and motivation from entrepreneurship lecturers.

The PKM-K, which was work on by Habibah Alifatus Syaidah, Aulia Amanda, Briliant Ghaustin Yoly Ala, and Annisa Firdaus Ramadhini, successfully passed funding from the Directorate General of Higher Education (DIKTI) last May. They are currently in the process of making masks and will be market online next week. The price of the mask is pegged in the range of Rp. 35,000-Rp. 40,000. the price also includes masks, three filters, and a mask strap. “We will start the marketing process online next week. In our opinion, this price is quite affordable considering that buyers can get a complete package of masks," she added.

Finally, this Kediri-born student hopes that this transparent mask can be an option to help the deaf communicate during a pandemic. She also wants this business to become a new business opportunity. “Communication is one of the most important aspects of life. So, with our innovation, hopefully, we can provide broad benefits to the community, especially those with hearing impairments," She explained. (haq/wil)

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