Assessment of communicating systems on the basis of an ecological conceptual framework

A conceptual framework for auditory communication was constructed based on biological ecosystem theories. The framework was used to analyse and conceptualize the assessment of auditory communication and rehabilitation. Two different strategies for assessment are presented: analytical and holistic. It is observed that the application of the ecological concept preferendum (optimum) calls for both qualitative and quantitative assessment methods. The role of situation, the composition of the communicative system and the perspectives of the different actors were cornerstones of the analytical assessment. The holistic assessment can be approached in terms of matters such as satisfaction (ecological balance) and fatigue. Description of the communicative mass in the present framework, analogous to biomass in biological systems, was identified as a suitable endpoint of holistic assessment, formed from the total knowledge and positive emotions generated in the system. Communicative mass was described in three dimensions: the number of participants in the communicative system, time in communication, and flow of knowledge and emotion. The operationalization and application of this concept are discussed.