Fostering Social Interaction Between Hearing Impaired and Hearing Children: The Validation of Design and Interaction Strategies Through a Peer Interaction Game.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Hearing impaired (HI) children face challenges in establishing and maintaining relationships with their hearing (H) peers, leading to potential damages on their psychological well-being. The objective of this study is to introduce and validate design strategies and interaction strategies aimed at promoting social interaction between HI children and their H peers. Materials and Methods: With a specific focus on addressing the unique needs of HI children, the design strategies and interaction strategies were derived from the previous studies. To assess the effectiveness, these strategies were implemented in a game specifically designed to encourage peer interaction between HI and H children. Participants, including both HI and H children, were invited to experience the game and provide feedback. Results: The results demonstrated the efficacy of these strategies in fostering the social interaction between HI and H children. Participants exhibited increased engagement and cooperation during gameplay, indicating the successful facilitation of peer interactions. Conclusions: By validating design and interaction strategies through a specially designed peer interaction game, the research demonstrates the effectiveness of these strategies. The findings underscore the significance of tailored strategies that address the unique challenges faced by HI children in establishing interactions with their H peers. These validated strategies can serve as a foundation for creating inclusive environments that support the overall well-being and social integration of HI children in mainstream settings.