A Transmedia Narrative Framework for Pediatric Hearing Counseling

To help fill the gap in pediatric communication tools and support child-centered care in pediatric hearing care, we designed and evaluated a novel narrative transmedia tool for facilitating communication with children during pediatric audiology and speech- and language therapy appointments. The digital tool integrates methods from narrative and play therapy, and applies a novel transmedia narrative framework using 360-degree video and smartphone-based Virtual Reality (VR). The tool was evaluated in three case studies. The findings suggest that the tool was effective in engaging the children in conversation about their hearing, supporting the specialists in exploring the functional impacts of the children’s hearing loss. Through co-participatory design, implementation and evaluation with hearing care specialists, it became clear that such a multi-platform transmedia tool, combining interactive digital narrative and emerging narratives, represents a promising avenue for facilitating child-centered communication during pediatric hearing care appointments