WAUNAKEE, Wis (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- Middleton based American Girl is proud to feature the recommendations of a Dane County doctor in the creation of the new 2020 Doll of the Year.

The doll features the story of a talented young girl named Joss, who is hearing impaired.  Education Audiologist Dr. Jen Richardson was asked to help the toy manufacturer make sure the storyline was accurate and all the small details were correct.  

"So my role with the team was to help with the fit of the hearing aid, the technology pieces as well as how she could maneuver her day within the story line," Dr. Richardson said.  

The story is about a 10-year-old surfer who becomes a cheerleader and needed Dr. Richardson's expertise to feel true to form.

"She [Joss] will run into situations where she isn’t hearing as best as she can and she may ask someone to look at her in the face, to go to a quieter location, the lunchroom is really tough in some of the storyline areas," Dr. Richardson said.

Dr. Richardson's contribution is thanked in first pages of the book.  She says it was a two year project, but a remarkable effort to bring Joss to life.  

"Really has been amazing, she [Joss] is really the first doll they have made a character out of with hearing loss," Dr. Richardson said.