Learning About the Direct Experiences of Very Young Children With Hearing Loss: A Feasibility Study

Author

• Jenni M. Funk, Utah State University

Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education

Department name when degree awarded

Speech and Hearing Sciences

Abstract

We aimed to explore the feasibility of employing a developmentally appropriate, modified puppet interview method to elicit thoughts and perspectives directly from very young children (ages 3 to 6 years old) who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Little is known about the direct experiences of children with hearing loss, making it difficult to improve care. In our field of speech and hearing sciences, there is no current method of gathering direct experiences of young children and placing them at the center of care. We proposed that researchers may be able to learn about the direct experiences of very young children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing by employing a developmentally appropriate method that elicits the direct thoughts and perspectives of children. However, pediatric oncology scholars have developed such an interview method, using puppets to elicit responses from young children. For this feasibility study, we modified this technique for use with deaf or hard-of-hearing children and posed the following research question: Can we use a modified puppet interview method with young deaf or hard-of-hearing children as a way to elicit their direct experiences about hearing loss and their listening devices? We conducted interviews using this modified puppet method with 14 preschool-aged children in their local preschool classroom, with both an interviewer and teacher present. Our findings indicated that our puppet interview technique is feasible and worth further exploration in the lab. Furthermore, our interview method may also ultimately be applicable outside of the research laboratory, allowing practitioners and those working with young children to ultimately administer care that is truly child centered. Such child-centered hearing health care would better support young deaf or hard-of-hearing children’s development, and address their needs, which will lay a holistic path for success into adulthood.

Recommended Citation

Funk, Jenni M., "Learning About the Direct Experiences of Very Young Children With Hearing Loss: A Feasibility Study" (2026). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 1092.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/1092