The Korean Hearing in Noise Test

from the International Journal of Audiology

This Article does not have an abstract.

Assessment of speech intelligibility in noise with the Hearing in Noise Test

from the International Journal of Audiology

This Article does not have an abstract.

Fast ForWord® does not significantly improve language skills in children with language disorders

from Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention

No abstract available.

Acoustic Cloak Silences Nuisance Noise

from Medical News Today.com

Researchers in Spain have proven that metamaterials, materials defined by their unusual man-made cellular structure, can be designed to produce an acoustic cloak – a cloak that can make objects impervious to sound waves, literally diverting sound waves around an object.

Speech-language pathologists respond to psychosocial aspects of aphasia with varying degrees of clinical attention

from Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention

No abstract available.

Effects of different types of hand gestures in persuasive speech on receivers’ evaluations

from Language and Cognitive Processes

Abstract
Hand gestures have a close link with speech and with social perception and persuasion processes, however to date no one has experimentally investigated the role of hand gestures alone in persuasive speech. An experiment with undergraduates was conducted using 5 video-messages in which only hand gestures of the speaker were manipulated along five types. ANOVAs reveal effect of gesture type on receivers’ evaluation of message persuasiveness, speaker communication style effectiveness, and speaker’s composure and competence. A control study (Experiment 2) confirms that these effects are due to visible gestures. Speech accompanying gestures appear to play a causal role in social perception.

The Effects of Contextual Strength on Phonetic Identification in Younger and Older Listeners

from Experimental Aging Research

Subjects: Behavioral Medicine; Psychiatry: Dementia; Gerontology/Ageing: Dementia; Dementia & Abstract
It has often been reported that older listeners have difficulty discriminating between phonetically similar items, but may rely on contextual cues as a compensatory mechanism. The present study examined the effects of different degrees of semantic bias on speech perception in groups of younger and older listeners. Stimuli from two /g/-/k/ voice onset time (VOT) continua were presented at the end of biasing and neutral sentences. Results indicated that context strongly influenced phonetic identification in older listeners; this was true for younger listeners only in the case of less-than-ideal stimuli. Findings are discussed in relation to theories concerning age-related changes in speech processing.

Assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal tension in hyperfunctional voice disorders

from the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

Poorly regulated activity of the perilaryngeal muscles affects phonatory function and contributes to a class of disorders known as hyperfunctional or musculoskeletal tension voice disorders. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of excess or dysregulated laryngeal muscle activity is critical to proper diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment(s). Although numerous approaches exist to manage such hyperfunctional syndromes, manual circumlaryngeal techniques have recently received attention as valuable tools in both assessment and treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to: (1) describe common phenomenological features of dysregulated laryngeal muscle tension, thereby facilitating its recognition, (2) highlight the role of manual circumlaryngeal techniques in assessment and management, (3) survey additional treatment approaches for laryngeal hyperfunction, and explore the evidence to support their effectiveness, and (4) identify unresolved issues and controversies surrounding tension-based voice disorders. A series of pre- and post-treatment audio examples are provided on the journal website at www.informaworld.com/ijslp.

Characterising hyperfunctional voice disorders: Etiology, assessment, treatment and prevention

from the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

This Article does not have an abstract.

Current knowledge, controversies and future directions in hyperfunctional voice disorders

from the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

Taking the preceding five papers in this special issue of the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology as a starting point, this paper synthesizes key aspects of hyperfunctional voice disorders (HFVD). Aetiological and contributing factors, defining features, prevention, assessment and intervention are canvassed, while controversial issues and future directions in research and clinical practice are discussed. Despite disagreements and inconsistencies in terminology surrounding HFVD, there is broad agreement that musculoskeletal tension is the hallmark of these voice disorders. There is also reasonable consensus that the pathogenesis and persistence of HFVD are associated with multiple and overlapping factors, some of which are likely to interact in as yet unknown ways. In addition to dysregulated laryngeal muscle functioning, key processes in the psychosocial and sensory domains are canvassed as likely contributors to HFVD. Vocal fatigue is considered as an intriguing relative of HFVD, the role of laryngopharyngeal reflux is debated and the proposition that particular individuals are psychologically and/or physiologically predisposed to HFVD is discussed. New directions in assessment highlight the use of client-centred measures to consider insider perspectives of psychological factors, vocal effort and vocal fatigue. Emerging psychosocial and physical-manipulative interventions are emphasized and the future educational needs of voice care professionals are considered.

The role of psychogenic and psychosocial factors in the development of functional voice disorders

from the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

The primary objective of this discussion paper is to review the available evidence for the role of psychogenic and psychosocial factors in the development of functional voice disorders (FVD). Current theoretical models linking these factors to the aetiology of FVD and to vocal hyperfunction are then considered. Since there is a paucity of solid empirical evidence to date, general patterns of evidence derived from single case reports and case series are examined first, followed by those empirical studies using more sophisticated methodologies. The discussion is structured around a framework that includes the following psychosocial areas of enquiry: demographic profiles of individuals with FVD; stressful incidents preceding onset; personality traits; coping styles and psychiatric disorder. Current evidence and associated theoretical models suggest that cognitive, affective, neurophysiological and behavioural aspects culminate in the development of these complex voice disorders. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to clinical practice and clinical training, with suggestions for future scientific research.

A longitudinal study of voice before and after phonosurgery for removal of a polyp

from Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics

Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the acoustic parameters, perceptual estimation, and self-estimation of voice before, 1 month after, and 6 years after surgical removal of a vocal fold polyp. Subjects were five male patients who came to the Phoniatric Clinic because of breathiness. For all patients, a polyp of one vocal fold was diagnosed. The operation was performed using cold instruments based on the principles of contemporary phonosurgery aiming maximally at preserving the phonatory bridge of the vocal fold. The subjects were recorded in a sound-proof booth three times: before surgery, 1 month post-, and 6 years post-operation. The patients read a short tale and they pronounced a sustained vowel /a/. The following variables were measured: clinical (the distance of the polyp from the anterior commissure, the width of the polyp base and the size of the polyp), and acoustic (F0, jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio, voice turbulence index, degree of voice breaks, and long-term average spectrum). Acoustic variables were measured using the program Praat, while the estimation of voice quality was completed using the GRBAS scale and self-estimation questionnaire of the voice quality, which were answered by the patients. The results showed significant improvement in the variables investigated and improved patients satisfaction with their vocal health after the surgery.

Acoustics characteristics of voice and vocal care in acting and other students

from Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics

Abstract
Based on voice-history data, a χ2 test was used to investigate the difference between students of acting (n = 45) and other students (n = 45). A t-test was used to calculate the differences in acoustic parameters between the two groups. It was expected that students of acting spent significantly more time practicing voice exercises, took more acting instructions, and generally spoke more in larger rooms and did warm up exercises (p<.001). However, it was not expected that they smoked more than non-professionals (p = .003), and that they drank alcoholic drinks as much as other students. Male students of acting had significantly lower f 0 SD means (p = .015), which means that they had a more stable pitch throughout phonation. Students of acting also showed a significantly higher Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio (HNR) than other students (p = .001 for males; p = .01 for females). The data showed the importance of the appropriate use of voice, which reflected relatively good voice quality despite the bad living habits of the future professional voice users.

The locus equation as an index of coarticulation in syllables produced by speakers with profound hearing loss

from Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics

Abstract
Locus equations (LEs) were derived from consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) syllables produced by four speakers with profound hearing loss. Group data indicated that LE functions obtained for the separate CVC productions initiated by /b/, /d/, and /g/ were less well-separated in acoustic space than those obtained from speakers with normal hearing. A general trend of reduced anticipatory coarticulation was obtained for contexts in which speakers with normal hearing ordinarily coarticulate. One speaker engaged more coarticulation than did speakers with normal hearing. Speakers’ productions could be ordered in a way that locus functions appeared to progressively collapse upon one another, suggesting a progressive reduction of consonant separation in acoustic space. The applications of the locus equation as an index of coarticulation and intervention outcome measure are discussed.

Voice quality of psychological origin

from Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics

Abstract
Variations in voice quality are essentially related to modifications of the glottal source parameters, such as: F 0, jitter, and shimmer. Voice quality is affected by prosody, emotional state, and vocal pathologies. Psychogenic vocal pathology is particularly interesting. In the present case study, the speaker naturally presented a ventricular band voice whereas in a controlled production he was able to use a more normal phonation process. A small corpus was recorded which included sustained vowels and short sentences in both registers. A normal speaker was also recorded in similar tasks. Annotation and extraction of parameters were made using Praat’s voice report function. Application of the Hoarseness Diagram to sustained productions situates this case in the pseudo-glottic phonation region. Analysis of several different parameters related to F 0, jitter, shimmer, and harmonicity revealed that the speaker with psychogenic voice was capable of controlling certain parameters (e.g. F 0 maximum) but was unable to correct others such as shimmer.