Suena Como Nosotros: A Spanish-English Storybook For Growing Voices, Stephanie Czajka

Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this project is to address the lack of speech therapy resources available to bilingual Spanish-English-speaking children between the ages of four to six. It will target common speech and language difficulties observed in children during the critical language development period, between the ages of four and six. This book will provide an accessible, culturally relevant speech therapy resource that can be used in the comfort of the home. Through the creation of this book, equity in healthcare access will be promoted, and bilingual pride and identity will be supported. The objectives of this project include designing and …

Interprofessional Collaboration: A Functional Vestibular Screening Framework For Children With Hearing Loss, Corinne Marascio

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: The vestibular system is comprised of five organs located in the inner ear that support balance, coordination, and spatial awareness (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). Due to the proximity of the hearing and vestibular organs, children with hearing loss are at an increased risk for vestibular dysfunction (Cushing & Papsin, 2018; Kelly et al., 2021). Early recognition and treatment of vestibular disorders via vestibular rehabilitation therapy can support healthy development throughout childhood (Monshizadeh et al., 2022; Wrobel et al., 2020). While vestibular assessment falls within the audiological scope of practice, barriers preclude routine screening of vestibular deficits in pediatric patients with …

Noise-Induced Gains: Are You Damaging Your Hearing While You Train?, Taylor Hitschmann, Lillian Beauvais, Blake Roth, Andrew Gannon

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study investigated the potential risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among individuals who listen to music during exercise. Survey data were collected alongside sound intensity measurements to better understand listening behaviors in fitness settings. Results indicated that although most participants reported listening at recommended safe levels, a notable proportion exceeded these thresholds, potentially increasing their risk of NIHL. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring listening habits during workouts. Hearing health professionals are encouraged to enhance public awareness and promote safe listening practices to help reduce the likelihood of long-term auditory damage.

Improvement On Word Memory After Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries, Jenna Pfeifer, Tyrell Perrigo, Reesa Williams, Qiang Li

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation treatment technique that has been demonstrated to activate norepinephrinergic areas of the brain supporting neuroplasticity. Research shows that tVNS may enhance cognitive performance such as memory, as it may elicit the release of key neurotransmitters that modulate cognitive performance and memory formation. The current study aims to investigate the effects of tVNS on short-term memory among those with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). Preliminary results show that tVNS has a positive impact on short-term memory in participants with mTBI, evidenced by faster reaction time and higher accuracy in the memory tests. …

The Effect Of Cerebral Somatosensory Network Priming On Language Function In Chronic L-Mca Ischemic Stroke: A Companion Case Study, Mandelin E. Wollesen

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Chronic aphasia following a left middle cerebral artery (L-MCA) stroke is often associated with limited recovery beyond the acute phase, necessitating interventions that target neuroplastic mechanisms. This study examined the effects of somatosensory pneumotactile stimulation paired with cognitive-linguistic tasks on functional language performance in an individual with chronic aphasia. Using a single-subject pre-post design, the participant completed a 10-week intervention protocol involving repeated pneumotactile stimulation via the GALILEO system combined with language and motor tasks. Outcomes were assessed using standardized measures, discourse-based language samples, oral reading, repetition, and phonemic verbal fluency. Discourse was analyzed using Correct Information Units (CIUs), words …

The Effect Of Vibrotactile Sensory Input Devices On Improving Subjective Speech Perception For Those With Normal Hearing, Elizabeth Kalinowsky

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how vibrotactile sensory augmentation can improve speech understanding in adverse listening conditions for those with normal hearing by providing auditory speech cues. It aimed to investigate whether there is any value of AVT devices for those with normal hearing in adverse hearing situations, where understanding speech is difficult due to background noise, reverberation, or other factors. This research project is a preliminary case study involving one participant. Tympanometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) tests were conducted to verify that the participant did not appear to have hearing loss due to middle …

Parents Engaging In Early Literacy (Peel): Outcomes From A Shared Reading Program Implemented Via Text Messaging, Victoria Henbest, Brenda L. Beverly, Gina M. Mejia

Victoria S. Henbest Publications

Purpose: Investigators delivered an asynchronous parent education for improving early literacy skills of typically developing preschoolers. The home-based shared-book reading program, PEEL, consisted of strategies modeled via videos and sent as text messages.

Method: Twenty parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to one of two 8-week programs targeting evidence-based early literacy strategies. One parent group was taught strategies to support print-related knowledge for learning to read, and the other learned skills to promote vocabulary and story knowledge underlying comprehension.

Results: The asynchronous parent education resulted in more frequent parental use of taught strategies compared to non-taught strategies during …

Assessing Misidentification Potential When Using Percent Developmental Delay As An Early Intervention Eligibility Criterion, Allison Gladfelter, Sarah Thomas, Christine Nguyen, Sarah O'Connor

CISLL Publications

Purpose:

Method:

Revisiting A Service-Learning Component In Aac Coursework: Design, Logistics, And Practical Challenges, Juhi Kidwai, Mohammad Al Rjoob, Maria Claudia Franca, Valerie E. Boyer

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This scholarly teaching manuscript describes the design, implementation, and challenges of integrating a service-learning component into a graduate-level augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) course within a Communication Disorders and Sciences (CDS) program. The project sought to bridge academic instruction with real-world application while addressing unmet service needs in local schools. The 16-week course was divided into an eight-week didactic phase followed by an eight-week field-based practicum. Graduate students were paired with school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in a rural, midwestern special education cooperative district, to support children using AAC. Implementation included a pre-semester needs assessment, collaborative student–SLP matching, structured orientation, weekly …

From Answers To Understanding: Bridging The Gap Between Multiple-Choice And Open-Ended Questions, Kathleen A. Siren

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Assessment is central to effective teaching, and the structure of exam questions significantly influences both learning and instruction. Multiple-choice (MCQ) and short-answer (SAQ) questions are widely used and frequently studied, each offering distinct advantages and limitations for formative and summative assessment. This study examined a modified multiple-choice format, multiple-choice questions with explanation (MCQwE), for which students selected an answer and briefly explained their reasoning. Designed to combine the efficiency of MCQs with the diagnostic value of open-ended responses, MCQwE were implemented in an undergraduate speech science course and compared to traditional MCQs and SAQs in terms of student performance. Findings …

Teaching Students To Identify And Adjust Linguistic Bias In Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Writing, Ann K. Holland, Mary Riotte, Abby "Po Jung" Lee, Angela Ayre, Sarah Friel, Mirza J. Lugo-Neris, Laura L. Wolford

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Biased and stigmatizing language is pervasive in healthcare records and has negative effects on clients’ care. While some research has studied how medical students may be taught to reduce stigmatizing language in their writing, the impacts of such trainings on clinical writing are rarely directly assessed, and little has been done to address this problem in speech-language pathology (SLP). This study assessed how a training module on biased language in clinical writing impacted SLP masters students’ ability to identify and correct stigmatizing language in a clinical report. Across two years, 120 students took part in this module. During the second …

A Multi-State Look Into Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologists’ Confidence Identifying And Diagnosing Autism, Allison Gladfelter, Adelaide Parr, Anna Cannone, Sarah O'Connor

CISLL Publications

Purpose: Although autism can be reliably diagnosed by 18 months of age, long wait times and limited access to qualified providers prevent families from obtaining timely diagnostic services. Trained speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are qualified to diagnose autism, ideally as part of a multidisciplinary team. SLPs working on early intervention (EI) teams are well-situated to help close this diagnostic wait time gap. The purpose of this survey study was to explore EI SLPs’ experiences serving autistic children, confidence in identifying and diagnosing autism, and their perceptions of barriers or facilitators to diagnostic confidence and wait times.

Method: 287 EI SLPs from …

Exploring Adolescent Hearing Aid Usage And Appearance Of Psychiatric Symptoms In Adolescents Using Hearql-28 Surveys, Courtney J. Austin, Dylan Chan

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Approximately 2% of DHH people in need of mental health services actually receive these services. Among pediatric hearing loss populations, co-occurring cognitive and physical impairments are risk factors for poor mental health status. Due to language barriers and isolation, more children with hearing loss do not have access to mental health services. Cochlear implants have been shown to improve mental health status among the DHH population. Current literature focuses on the mental health status of children with cochlear implants, with little focus on hearing aid users. Using HEAR28 data and surveys, we can quantify the incidence of psychiatric symptoms among …

An Exploratory Bayesian Network Analysis Of Weight And Feeding Outcomes In 6-Month-Old Infants With Complex Congenital Heart Disease, Amy Delaney, Mary Taylor, Julie Ann Lavoie, Roger Brown, Karen Pridhame

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: We aimed to explore with a Bayesian network how clinically important factors related to feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) are associated with each other and influence feeding outcomes. Our goal was to raise questions for further study.

Method: This descriptive study included data from 19 infants on severity of neonatal illness, early oral-motor (OM) and swallowing skills, feeding patterns, liquid and solid intake, and weight-for-age at 2 and 6 months. Bayesian network analysis was used to estimate the conditional probabilities of these variables in relation to each other and predict the 6-month weight-for-age z score and …

Association Between Tinnitus And Angina Pectoris In U.S. Adults: Evidence From Nhanes 2009–2018, Mitra Britton, Ishan Sunilkumar Bhatt

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background/Objectives: Tinnitus has been increasingly associated with cardiovascular disease, and recent phenome-wide analyses have identified angina pectoris as a condition linked to tinnitus. This study aimed to replicate and quantify the association between tinnitus and angina pectoris in a nationally representative U.S. adult sample using NHANES, while adjusting for key demographic, cardiovascular, and tinnitus-related risk factors. Methods: Using data from four NHANES cycles 2009–2018, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted, which included 9185 participants, and used multivariate logistic regression analyses to investigate the association between tinnitus and angina pectoris. Results: Among 9185 adults, angina was associated with higher odds of tinnitus …

Collaborative Learning In Clinical Education As A Catalyst To Support Foundational Professional Competencies In Speech-Language Pathology: A Theoretical Framework, Lori-Ann Ferraro

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

As a part of every speech-language pathology graduate program in the US, clinical education is an integral and required element for both academic accreditation and the eventual clinical certification for students. Clinical education is significantly important when considering overall educational models because it is an aspect of a student’s education that contributes to their ability to make connections between what is learned in the classroom and its real-world clinical application while contributing to the acquisition of competencies. The 2:1 collaborative learning model is supported by sound learning theories and evidence from the literature. A theoretical framework was created to demonstrate …

Developing Critical Thinking Skills In Undergraduate Csd Students Through A Case Study Project, Lydia R. Kruse, Windi Krok

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Critical thinking skills are crucial for Speech-Language Pathologists to effectively assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders. However, the optimal timing for teaching these skills to future clinicians remains an open question. Most of the current research is focused on developing critical thinking skills in graduate students, though there is some evidence to suggest that students should be working to develop critical thinking skills during their undergraduate education. This work describes the critical thinking skills demonstrated by undergraduate students in a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD program) through a case study project, as well as their self-perceptions. Results indicate relative weakness …

Behavioral Personal Protective Equipment And Staff Safety: A Pilot Study Evaluating Its Impact Among Speech-Language Pathologists, Jennifer J. Bekins

Pacific Journal of Health

This retrospective, exploratory pilot study investigated the preliminary effects of a behavioral safety readiness protocol on speech-language pathologist (SLP) physical safety during outpatient care delivered at neurodevelopmental clinics within a single medical center. During the intervention phase, SLPs voluntarily wore Kevlar sleeves during all patient care interactions, tied long hair back, and maintained accessibility of nitrile gloves for use during behavioral escalations. The behavioral safety readiness protocol was reinforced by the safety slogan, “Sleeves On, Hair Back, Gloves in Pocket.” Safety event data from May – June 2023 and 2024 (pre-intervention periods) were compared with data from May – June …

Syllabus Design And Clinical Competency: A Review Of Dysphagia Training Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Programs Across North Carolina, R. Jordan Hazelwood, Kasey M. Clift, Paige H. Bradford

Appalachian Student Healthcare Research Review

Background

Despite the critical role of dysphagia management in speech-language pathology education, limited research has examined how graduate-level curriculum design and learning experiences influence clinical preparedness and competency development. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between instructor characteristics, syllabus design features, and the inclusion of dysphagia management competencies in graduate speech-language pathology (SLP) dysphagia course syllabi across North Carolina (NC).

Method

Instructor information and dysphagia syllabi from all accredited graduate SLP programs across NC were collected and rated. The New Dale-Chall Readability Calculator was used to evaluate syllabus readability and content complexity. The Four Dimensions of …

Caregivers' Experiences Of Assessment And Treatment For Their Child With Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: An International Questionnaire Study, Donna Claire Thomas, Maryane Gomez, Angela Muis, Nathan Trezise, Eliza Williamson, Julie Case, Elizabeth Murray, Maria Irene Grigos, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Shelley L. Velleman

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand caregivers' preferences and experiences with diagnosis and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).

Method: Caregivers of children with CAS completed a 70-item online survey that explored demographics, initial concerns, the CAS diagnostic process, speech therapy goals, and preferred and received speech therapy service delivery (session frequency, length, and context). Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and with inferential statistics; qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results: One hundred sixty-one caregivers participated, mostly from the United States, Australia, and Canada. A total of 72% of caregivers had concerns about their child's …

Interprofessional Collaboration In Inpatient Rehabilitation For Patient With Thiamine Deficiency-Related Sensorimotor And Cognitive Deficits – Case Report, Christina Thomas, Tahreem Hashmi, Joanne Delgado-Lebron, Rania Massad

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

Purpose: We aim to describe the clinical presentation, interprofessional management, and functional outcomes of a patient with thiamine deficiency. Problem: Thiamine deficiency can result in peripheral polyneuropathy and cognitive deficits that limit function and participation. Despite deficits that warrant interprofessional neurorehabilitation, previous reports focus narrowly on medical management. Case: A 36-year-old female was admitted to inpatient rehabilitation with a diagnosis of Guillain Barre. She underwent evaluation by the interprofessional team that revealed cognitive deficits inconsistent with Guillain Barre. Further medical workup identified a thiamine deficiency. Comprehensive treatment included supplementation managed by the physiatrist; promotion of motor learning and neuroplasticity to …

Aura: An Ai-Powered Multimodal Prototype For Adaptive Apraxia Of Speech Therapy And Communication Support, Omotayo Omoyemi, Rachel K. Johnson

Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Publications

Apraxia of Speech (AOS) is a motor speech disorder that significantly limits communication and requires intensive, long-term therapy. Access to consistent treatment is often constrained by shortages of speech-language pathologists, high costs, and limited opportunities for continuous monitoring outside clinical settings. Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) provide new opportunities to support scalable and personalized speech therapy.

This paper presents AURA (Adaptive Understanding and Relearning Assistant for Apraxia), a multimodal AI framework designed to support speech therapy, progress monitoring, and communication for individuals with AOS. The system integrates speech analysis, machine learning–based error detection, reinforcement learning for adaptive therapy, and …

Independence Of Spectral Contrast Effects Across Different Frequency Regions In Speech Perception, Christian E. Stilp, Matthew B. Winn

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Identification of speech sounds is influenced by spectral contrast effects (SCEs), the perceptual magnification of spectral differences between successive sounds. SCEs result in the categorization of a target sound being biased away from spectral properties in the preceding acoustic context. Given remarkable consistency in the magnitudes of these contrast effects within the same frequency region, it was hypothesized that they would also show stable relationships across different frequency regions. In this study, normal-hearing listeners’ phoneme categorization and contrast effects were assessed where phonetic contrasts were driven by changes in low-frequency F₁ (“big”-“beg” continuum), mid-frequency F₃ (“dot”-“got”), or high-frequency …

The Effects Of Speak Out! On Hypokinetic Dysarthria In Individuals With Idiopathic Parkinson’S Disease, Linden King

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this single subject research study was to prove the efficacy of SPEAK OUT! therapy in improving loudness, rate of speech, and quality of life for individuals who have hypokinetic dysarthria due to Parkinson’s Disease. In this A-B-A design, five weeks of SPEAK OUT! therapy was provided twice a week to four individuals with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Results showed an increase in loudness in conversation and improved quality of life measured by statistical and visual analysis. These findings contribute to the research behind the use of SPEAK OUT! therapy for individuals with HKD due to PD.

Vestibular Migraine And Ssri Withdrawal, Grace Fairchild, Sarah Redding, Ashley Flagge

V&B Posters

No abstract provided.

Vestibular Migraine And Ssri Withdrawal: A Case Presentation, Grace Fairchild, Sarah Redding, Ashley Flagge

V&B Presentations

No abstract provided.

Brainstem Encoding Of Speech In The Extended High Frequencies And Its Behavioral Correlates, Sajana Aryal, Fan-Yin Cheng, Srikanta K. Mishra, Spencer Smith

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Whether the auditory nervous system can extract and use speech information carried in the extended high-frequency (EHF; >8 kHz) range is an unresolved question in auditory neuroscience. Although EHF sensitivity is increasingly recognized as important for speech perception, it is unclear whether EHF hearing is directly or indirectly involved in real-world listening. This study examined brainstem neural encoding of EHF speech components and the relationship between EHF hearing sensitivity and both neural and perceptual speech processing. Envelope following responses (EFRs) to broadband and high-pass filtered (>4 kHz and >8 kHz) speech stimuli, along with digits-in-noise speech recognition thresholds under …

A Review Of Replications Over 88 Years Of The American Speech-Language Hearing Association Journal Publications, Andrea L.B. Ford, Jessica S. Riccardi, Austin Thompson, Helen L. Long, James C. Borders, Scott R. Schroeder, Alisa Baron, Mariam El Amin, Danika L. Pfeiffer

Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Publications

Purpose: This review aimed to determine the prevalence of replication studies in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders and examine longitudinal changes in this prevalence across American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) journals from 1936 to 2024. It is a conceptual replication of Cook and colleagues' review of replications in special education journals.

Method: Our data source comprised 17,843 journal articles published in seven ASHA peer-reviewed journals between 1936 and 2024. We identified 3,903 articles, excluding duplicates, that had at least one instance of replicat*. Two research team members screened articles independently, and then one research team member coded each article, …

Integrating Hippotherapy Into Interprofessional Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Pilot Study, Bethany H. Wenger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background and Significance: Stroke remains a leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting over 2.5 million individuals annually. Stroke-related motor and communication deficits often co-occur, increasing challenges for recovery, increasing social isolation, depression, and dependency. Hippotherapy has emerged as a novel treatment approach for neurorehabilitation; however, its application within interprofessional models for individuals with stroke-related motor and communication impairments remains underexplored. This study examines the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of an interprofessional intervention using hippotherapy for adults with chronic post-stroke aphasia, the purpose of which is to generate methodological guidance for future controlled trials.

Methods: A non-randomized, single-group …

Exploring Tonal Focus: Qualitative Perspectives And Acoustic Correlates In Slps And Singers, Lily C. Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

Tonal focus is a complex construct that has variable definitions and interpretations across professions and within existing literature. Although tonal focus is widely described both clinically and pedagogically, both fields differ in their perspectives and goals related to the concept. This study aims to understand singers’ and speech language pathologists’ (SLP) conceptual perception and acoustic demonstration of tonal focus. Eleven SLPs and six singers were recruited to participate in the study. Participants completed an interview with the primary investigator and were recorded producing forward, neutral, and backward tonal focus in various contexts. Acoustic and qualitative analysis indicated that tonal focus …