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 …

A Model For Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Belonging In A Speech Pathology And Audiology Program, Elizabeth Oommen, Peggy Goetz, Brian M. Kreisman, Megan Nickelson, Morgan Bykerk

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Purpose: The SPAUD department at Calvin University recognized the need for initiatives that focused on intentionally enfolding and supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), international, and third culture students in a competitive major like communication sciences and disorders (CSD). These initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices, specifically: (1) to support retention and empowerment of students through peer mentoring and small group meetings; and (2) to equip the department to empower faculty and students to thrive together in the program and in their vocation through capacitybuilding.

Study design/methodology/approach: This is a case study paper outlining …

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 …

Gender, And Socioeconomic Status In School-Based Speech-Language Pathology Decision-Making For Adolescents With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Critically Appraised Topic, Geneva Renee Toledo

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

Purpose: Adolescents are at greater risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI), and TBI-related symptoms may contribute to disciplinary actions that increase their risk of entering the school-toconfinement pipeline. Given the disproportionate representation of racially marginalized male adolescents within this pipeline, this critically appraised topic (CAT) examined how race, gender, and socioeconomic status may influence school-based speech-language pathology (SLP) services and clinical decision-making following TBI. Method: A structured search of five electronic databases was conducted to identify studies examining speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs’) clinical decision-making and management of adolescents with TBI in relation to race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Relevant studies were …

Beyond Mean Length Of Utterance: Novel Measures For Characterizing The Spoken Language Of Autistic Children, Janine Mathee-Scott, Courtney E. Venker

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

Mean length of utterance (MLU) is a common measure of expressive language complexity in young children, including autistic children. However, means, by nature, obscure some information about spread and variability in data. Thus, we aimed to examine a new approach to characterizing linguistic complexity in autistic children by investigating the validity of two novel measures—range of length of utterance (RLU), standard deviation of length of utterance (SDLU)—alongside established measures: MLU and total utterances (TU).

Method:

Participants were 40 autistic children (12 girls, 28 boys; M_age = 41.78 months). Children participated in 10-min, play-based language samples with their caregivers. …

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

V&B Presentations

No abstract provided.

Advancing Interprofessional Communication: Preliminary Outcomes Of A Novel Collaboration Framework In A Student Head Injury Clinic, Natalia Noce, Kelly Ann Pena, Susan Paparella, Andrew Lynch, Erin Keller, Aaron Dallman, Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

When healthcare providers practice interprofessional practice, care improves, and medical errors are reduced. Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) principles and the Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Patient Performance and Safety (TeamSTEPPS®) frameworks are utilized in healthcare education to develop interprofessional collaborative practice skills, but there is little understanding of how these skills change over time. We sought to evaluate the development of interprofessional collaborative practice skills by examining graduate occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology students' first-hand reports of their experiences over time in an interprofessional head injury clinic. We employed an applied interpretive qualitative research approach longitudinally collecting …

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

V&B Posters

No abstract provided.

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, …

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 …

When Speech Speaks Louder Than Truth: Language Variation And Credibility In The Courtroom, Melanie E. Spinnie

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study aims to investigate how linguistic variation affects perceptions of credibility in courtroom settings. It focuses on how jurors, judges, and other individuals in the legal system may exhibit bias (consciously or unconsciously) based on how a defendant or witness speaks-- this could include speech disorders as well as differences in dialect, accent, and speech style. Through review of relevant literature, review of a relevant historical case, conducting a survey, and conducting a semi-structured interview, this study explores whether certain speech patterns or characteristics are disproportionately associated with negative judgments during legal proceedings, such as reduced credibility and trustworthiness. …

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 …

Exploring The Impact Of Age On Traumatic Brain Injury Cause And Recovery In Arkansas: A Retrospective Review, Abby Jones, Steven Wheeler, Jessica Danley

2026 Honors Symposium

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) remain a major public health concern, and increasing evidence goes to show the significance of the effect of age in quality of care, diagnosis, and recovery outcomes. In rural states, such as Arkansas, where research has shown a lack of resources and higher fatality rates among TBI patients, healthcare professionals can become better informed and equipped as a result of research efforts to uncover the effects of age on cause and recovery for inpatient TBI individuals in the early stages (Daugherty et al., 2022). Current research and prior evidence suggests that older individuals are more likely …

Belting In Musical Theatre: Vocal Pathologies, Injuries, And Pedagogical Implications, Kaylee Piatt

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Belting has become one of the most defining and contested vocal styles in contemporary musical theatre. Valued for its dramatic immediacy, speech-like intensity, and ability to cut through amplified orchestration, belting is frequently associated with heightened injury risk and pedagogical controversy. This thesis examines the relationship between belting, vocal pathology, and pedagogy through an interdisciplinary lens that integrates voice science, clinical literature, and professional performance practice. Rather than framing belting as an inherently harmful or stylistically aberrant technique, this study conceptualizes belting as a functional vocal coordination shaped by physiological mechanisms, cumulative vocal load, and occupational demands.

Drawing on existing …

Navigating Academic Demands In Higher Education After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Abigail Mosteller, Chitrali R. Mamlekar

SURF Posters 2026

Although, mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are classified as mild; their consequences can be substantial. These injuries can result in significant cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms. While many individuals recover within a few weeks, others experience persisting symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, difficulties with attention and memory. For college students, these ongoing symptoms can significantly interfere with academic participation and success, impairments in communication, executive functioning, processing speed, memory, or attention may make it difficult to follow lectures, complete assignments, meet deadlines and study effectively. Universities may offer accommodations and academic support services; however, the availability of …

Spanish-Speaking Parents' Health Literacy And Comprehension Of Idea Terminology, Daria Hernandez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study aims to examine how personal health literacy can affect Spanish-speaking parents’ comprehension of special education documentation, specifically within the scope of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) terminology; in order to gain insight into the readability of commonly used terms within special education documents. Across the United States, limited health literacy across organizations and individuals is an extremely pressing issue as it can limit the ability for individuals to make the proper decisions involving their healthcare and education. This issue is exacerbated when considering Hispanic populations, with their personal health literacy levels …

The Qualitative Investigation Of The Role Of Nicu-Based Slps, Netanya Tsang

Selected Full-Text Master Theses Collection 2018-

In 2004 that the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) released a position statement pertaining the roles of SLPs in swallowing and feeding disorders, specifically in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In the NICU, one of the last criteria for discharge of the neonate is to demonstrate consistent and stable feeding. For NICU-based speech-language pathologists (SLP)s, a primary responsibility is treating the neonate’s ability to feed and swallow. Within this specialized setting over time, the role of the SLP has changed, but there is significant variation across locations and setting; with little formally documented regarding updated responsibilities. Therefore, this …

Communication Sciences And Disorders Faculty Perspectives On Collaborating With Students As Instructional Partners, Bryanna Cosman

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Student-faculty partnerships, such as instructional partnerships, have been shown to benefit both students and faculty members who engage in them. This form of collaboration does not commonly occur at public, comprehensive universities, especially in the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). The purpose of this study was to understand the perspectives of CSD faculty on collaborating with students as instructional partners (IP), as there is limited research on it. IPs are students who have successfully taken a class in the recent past, attend the course in a subsequent semester, and meet after each class with the professor to discuss …

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 …

Aac In Schools: How District Infrastructure And At Specialists Shape Implementation Practices, Grace T. Clark, Lesley Rytel, Endever* Corbin, Madison Skibicki, Gabriella Pesantes

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Purpose

Research on barriers to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) implementation in schools has focused primarily on individual clinician factors rather than district infrastructure. This clinical focus article examined how the presence or absence of a dedicated assistive technology (AT) specialist was associated with differences in AAC implementation and the use of AAC as a Tier 1 support.

Method

Eighteen educators, including AT specialists, SLPs, and a special educator, from 17 U.S. school districts participated in a 75-minute structured Zoom focus group. They rated 11 statements about district AAC practices using a 4-point Likert scale and discussed their responses in …

Building Interprofessional Competency-Based Education Into Graduate Program Clinical Experiences: A Childhood Apraxia Of Speech And Sensory Processing Disorder Case Study Analysis, Kate Nealon, Zahava L. Friedman

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Supporting interprofessional competency-based education requires embedding educational opportunities within coursework and clinical experiences. This education prioritizes student engagement and learning from, with and about other professionals to support collaboration and communication amongst clinicians (CAIE, 2020). While the provision of interprofessional clinical opportunities is recommended, it is challenging to implement effectively in professional and pre-professional settings. Academic settings have the unique ability to provide interprofessional collaborative clinical experiences for students. This pilot study focuses on Speech Language Pathology (SLP) and Occupational Therapy (OT) clinical assessment experiences, specifically in the context of pediatric motor speech and sensory processing disorders. These disorders often …

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 …

Integrating Perspectives Of People With Aphasia: A Holistic Approach To Community Aphasia Groups Within An Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program, Mckinlee A. Mihelish

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Introduction: People with aphasia (PWA) experience chronic communication deficits that impact daily life. Community Aphasia Groups (CAGs) are commonly used to address these challenges and have demonstrated psychosocial and communicative benefits; however, they lack standardized structure and are implemented with variability across settings. Additionally, much of the existing research focuses on group-level outcomes rather than participant-driven priorities, limiting clinicians’ ability to tailor interventions. This study examined what PWA want from CAG participation and how these priorities may change over time.

Methods: This quantitative study investigated priority changes among PWA participating in a CAG within a summer 2025 Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia …

Initial Qualitative Inquiry Into Social Proverb Use And Acceptability, Emma K. Hinds

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Currently,  1 in 36 individuals are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is characterized by social communication differences and restricted and/or repetitive behaviors. Many children with ASD also present with sensory, behavioral, and emotional differences, underscoring the need for specialized, evidence-based interventions. Social proverb is a novel intervention approach developed by Dr. Schoffer Closson that provides in-the-moment guidance by explicitly stating expected social behaviors and the rationale behind them (e.g., “We cover our coughs, so we don’t spread germs”). To date, no research has examined the use of social proverbs as an intervention strategy. The purpose of this qualitative …