Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

How Music Is Used To Facilitate Communication In Speech-Language And Music Therapy For Children With A Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anna Mcgreevy

Honors College Theses

The goal of this research was to determine how music is being used in speech and music therapy sessions for children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, to discover the most common targets of these therapy sessions, and to examine the anatomical and physiological constructs that support the inclusion of music. This study was a review of literature, and included research from a variety of articles, several written in the past 25 years. Overall, results showed that music-based speech interventions such as Melodic Based Communication Therapy and Developmental Speech and Language Training, as well as music therapy interventions, are …

Development Of The Hearing Emotion/Activity Restrictions On Teenagers (Heart), Robin G. Axelrod

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEARING EMOTION/ ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS ON TEENAGERS (HEART)

By: Robin Axelrod

Advisor: Barbara Weinstein

Background:

The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly is a self-assessment tool used to assess and quantify the impact of hearing loss on emotional and social wellness in the geriatric population. However, there is not an existing version for the teenage population. Hearing loss has the potential to impact social, emotional, and academic domains in the daily lives of teenagers with hearing loss. In this study, a new self-assessment tool called the Hearing Emotion/ Activity Restrictions on Teenagers (HEART) was created and distributed via …

Best Practices For Healthcare Providers When Communicating With Individuals With Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review, Ashley Mccaig

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the literature to gather information about strategies to use when communicating with people with hearing loss, specifically in healthcare settings or environments where face masks are frequently used. The compiled literature was used to establish the best practices for healthcare providers to use when communicating with their patients with hearing loss, especially when utilizing face masks.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using the Google Scholar, PubMed, and MEDLINE Complete databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used to …

Audiological Evaluation Of Persons With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Yehudis Hoch

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Dementia and hearing loss are both prevalent, age-related conditions and recent research has established a correlation between the two. Audiological evaluations of persons with dementia are important due to a likely comorbidity of dementia and hearing loss, the detrimental effect that hearing loss has on cognition and cognitive tests, and because the similar presentation of the two conditions can cause hearing loss to be overlooked. Hearing loss intervention is critical for this population due to the positive effects that amplification has on cognition, social engagement, and listening effort. Despite the importance of hearing assessment and intervention, audiological evaluation of …

Toolkit For Users Of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids, Sabrina Malasarte

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Untreated hearing loss oftentimes has significant adverse effects on the quality of life of older adults. The associations include, but are not limited to loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and a decrease in cognitive function. Hearing aids significantly improve audibility, social interactions, and decrease feelings of loneliness or isolation. However, despite technological advances, and evidence of positive outcomes associated with hearing aid use, uptake and continued use of hearing aids remain low. Accessibility and affordability are considered barriers to uptake. Purchasing a prescription hearing aid from an audiologist is the traditional approach to receiving an amplification device, but the advent of over …

Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Usage Of Hearing Protection In Volunteer Firefighters, Rachel S. Combs

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) represents a substantial global public health concern. Regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) aim to establish noise exposure limits in occupational settings, yet certain professions, such as firefighting, remain at a heightened risk. Although research has been conducted on noise exposure and hearing protection in career firefighters, a lack of research exists on volunteer firefighters. The purpose of this study was to 1) establish the extent that volunteer firefighters are currently educated on hearing conservation and hearing protection 2) …

Articulatory Activity Of The Tongue, Jaw, And Lips During The Second Passaggio Transition Of The Soprano Voice, Richard C. Lissemore

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation describes three experiments designed to explore the acoustic and articulatory activity of a perceptible change in the soprano voice known as the secondo passaggio, or second transition, which typically occurs for the [ɑ] vowel between D♮5 (587 Hz) and F♮5 (698 Hz). Acoustically, the transition involves a shift in resonance strategy from second resonance tracking of the second harmonic (f_R2/2f_o) to first resonance tracking of the fundamental frequency (f_R1/f_o). To quantify the acoustics of the transition, we employed the measure L₁-L₂, the …

Assessing The Reliability Of The Pairwise Variability Index For Differential Diagnosis Of Apraxia Of Speech, Celeste Sinko

University Honors Theses

Differential diagnosis of apraxia of speech (AOS) from other speech and language disorders is a prevailing challenge in the field of speech language pathology. Presently, existing measures for assessing AOS consist of perceptual rating scales, such as the Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale developed by Duffy, Strand, Clark, and Josephs. While perceptual rating scales are the current gold standard for assessment and diagnosis of AOS, they require a high degree of clinical expertise, and are susceptible to rater bias and rater drift. Thus, there exists a need for quantitative, objective measures for differential diagnosis of AOS. The purpose of this …

Feesability Of Laryngeal Endoscopy Simulation Labs In Student Training: A Scoping Review, Anna Thut

Student Research Symposium

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) involves passing a flexible endoscope through the nose and down the throat to provide a detailed view of the throat, airway, and vocal folds. With the scope in place, people can eat and drink, allowing the clinician to evaluate for safe swallowing. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) use FEES for diagnostic evaluation and to gauge therapy progress and effectiveness. Simulation training on a low or high-fidelity model may provide a bridge for SLP graduate students to gain competency before being introduced to FEES in a clinical setting. This review aims to gather evidence on the use …

Exploring Speech Experiences, Cpib Scores, And Aac Assessment Experiences Of Autistic Aac Users With Intermittent, Unreliable, Insufficient, And/Or Expensive Speech, Karina Rayl, Pang Lee Herr, Brandon Eddy, Amy Donaldson, Stephanie Fuller, Alyssa Zisk

Student Research Symposium

There is growing evidence from the perspectives of speaking autistic people that augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports their self-expression and communicative agency. Despite the evidence supporting the communication effectiveness of AAC, autistic adults have reported that professionals often prioritized speech as the ideal communicative method rather than offering AAC as a communication option. This study will investigate autistic adults’ AAC assessment experiences and explore whether a modified version of the Communication Participation Item Bank (CPIB) self-rating questionnaire could be an effective tool to document the internal states of intermittent, unreliable, insufficient, and/or expensive speech. Surveys will be distributed to …

Second Language Impacts On First Language Processing, Natalie Robison, Sarah C. Creel, Sarah Elkington, Judith Kelholt, Amy Lin, Carolyn Quam

Student Research Symposium

This line of research investigates attrition (loss of fluency) of native Mandarin language (L1) proficiency with increasing proficiency in English. English uses pitch to denote intonation (e.g., “it’s there?” versus “it’s there!”), while Mandarin uses pitch to indicate word meanings; e.g., /he/ means “drink” with a high, level tone, or “river” with a rising tone. The present study delineates between two alternative explanations for the prior finding (Quam & Creel, 2017) that English proficiency correlates with attrition of Mandarin tones, but not vowels. This pattern could be explained by 1) language assimilability (L1-L2 Assimilability Hypothesis), or 2) by tone being …

Respiratory-Swallowing Coordination In Motor Neuron Disease: A Scoping Review, Mariam Z. Mansoor

Student Research Symposium

Respiratory-swallowing coordination (RSC) is essential for providing efficient breathing and optimal swallowing function. Most commonly used methods of measuring RSC include nasal thermistry, and respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) to determine direction and durations of airflow. Outcome measures include swallow apnea duration (SAD) and respiratory phase pattern (RPP), i.e., direction of airflow pre- and post-SAD. The goal of the current project was to conduct a scoping literature review of RSC, focusing on the motor neuron disease (MND) population, including people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A multi-engine literature search was conducted in 2023-24 via PubMed and Google Scholar. No limitations were …

Impact Of Testosterone Therapy On Voices In Trans-Masculine People: A Scoping Review, Samuel E. Hedine, Jeff Conn, Deanna Britton

Student Research Symposium

Treatment of trans people by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) dates back to at least the 1980s. However, the majority of early research on the voices of trans people focused on trans-women. More recently, the field of speech-language pathology has garnered more interest in the effects of testosterone therapy in trans-masculine individuals. The goal of this project is to review current research, and compile the known effects of testosterone therapy in the trans-masculine population on common acoustic indices of voice production, including fundamental frequency (pitch), decibels/sound pressure level (dB SPL; loudness) and cepstral peak prominence (voice quality). A scoping literature search was …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Mask Mandate On Effective Communication Between Healthcare Providers And Deaf/Hoh Patients, Antonia J. Conti, Alexa Gingerich

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries mandated the use of facial masks in public environments, especially in healthcare settings.[3] While this was beneficial in reducing the spread of the coronavirus disease, it created many challenges for the deaf/HoH community.[4] In particular, it limited effective communication between healthcare providers and deaf/HoH patients. It was found that masks limit word recognition for both deaf/HoH and non-deaf/HoH individuals. Additionally, both surgical and N95 masks hinder word recognition for deaf/HoH individuals and significantly impact communication during medical appointments.

Exploring Asynchronous Pronunciation Training Through Context-Aware Pronunciation Applications, Claire L. Schweikert

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This paper provides a survey of various research articles on context-aware asynchronous pronunciation training applications. First, a set of seven articles is reviewed and summarized. Next, they are synthesized over the three main topics of 1) automated speech recognition, 2) non-native speaker considerations in language learning, and 3) future directions for research and development within computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT). Research in the areas of acoustic and pronunciation modeling (both implicit and explicit), pedagogical considerations for CAPT application design, Goodness of Pronunciation algorithm scoring, accent recognition and neutralization, and more are discussed.

Parkinson's Disease And Voice Perception: A Little Bit Louder Now!, Samantha Manes, Taylor Desimone

Graduate Student Research: Capstone Competition

This proposed study aims to address gaps in research literature on Parkinson’s disease by investigating the neural mechanisms involved in PD patients' perception of volume using electroencephalography (EEG). By examining brain activity during voice perception tasks, the research seeks to uncover specific areas within the brain that may contribute to the lack of awareness of speaking softly. Insights gained from this study could inform the development of targeted interventions to improve communication and overall quality of life for PD patients. Ultimately, the research aims to provide a louder voice to those affected by Parkinson's disease, enhancing their ability to engage …

Supplemental High-Tech Augmentative And Alternative Communication Experiences: A Study On Graduate Student Self-Efficacy, Confidence, And Knowledge With Pre-Service Training, Emily Sikes

Master's Theses

Providing assessment and intervention with high-tech augmentative and alternative communication is within the scope of practice of American Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPS). Therefore, SLPs should be able to properly identify and implement assessment, intervention, and caregiver coaching strategies in this area of practice. Due to the lack of confidence ratings of current SLPs in providing assessment and intervention in AAC that is found in current research, this study was designed to find plausible solutions for which confidence ratings can be increased beginning at the graduate level of a Speech-Pathology Master’s program. The researchers sought to answer the following questions: “Do students …

Gestalt Language Processing In Accredited Communication Sciences And Disorders Programs, William Harris

Master's Theses

The language development and usage of autistic individuals has become a controversial topic in many of the disciplines and professions providing support to these individuals. As a result, two theories of language processing have been proposed. Analytical language processing suggests that children process and develop language from its most simple form, a phoneme, to its most complex form, a word or phrase. However, the theory of gestalt language processing proposes that some children may instead extract larger, more complex language such as whole words and phrases first and break it down to the simpler language. Gestalt language processing is often …

How Speech-Language Pathologists Account For Self-Determination Across The Progression Of Dementia, Emilee Mcgahee

Master's Theses

Dementia diagnoses are continuing to increase, with the number of diagnoses expected to reach 231 million globally by 2050 (World Alzheimer’s Report, 2019). With this comes a greater need for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) who are able to best treat those who are diagnosed. Providing person-centered and strengths-based treatment approaches for people with dementia (PWD) has been proven to increase positive engagement responses while decreasing negative engagement responses (Skrainer et al., 2007). The primary objective of this research study was to assess treatment approaches used by SLPs in dementia care setting, along with how SLPs provide person-centered dementia treatment throughout the …

Spatial Hearing In Simulated Reverberant Classroom Environments, Gabriel Seth Evan Weeldreyer

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Dissertations, Thesis, and Student Research

Spatial hearing provides access to auditory spatial cues that promote speech perception in noisy listening situations. However, reverberation degrades auditory spatial cues and limits listeners’ ability to utilize these cues for segregating target speech from competing babble. Hence, spatial unmasking—an intelligibility benefit from a spatial separation between a target and masker—is reduced in reverberant environments as compared to free field. This work tests the hypothesis that interaural decorrelation, the result of increasing reverberation, will broaden the perceived auditory source width with a cascading effect of reduced auditory spatial acuity and subsequently poorer spatial unmasking. To understand the perceptual consequences of …

Investigating Self-Perception Of Speech And Motivation For Return To Intervention For Post Cochlear Implantation In Young Adults, Madison Henry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cochlear Implants (CI) are designed to address severe to profound hearing loss. When implantation occurs after language develops, it is referred to as post-lingual (PL) implantation. Currently, no interventions have been identified to address the communication challenges that young adults with PL-CIs may face after they complete post-CI rehabilitation services. This study analyzes if an individualized intervention plan is beneficial for a person with PL-CIs when experiencing changing communication demands in the transition to college or the workforce. Methodology: Baseline assessments were conducted; the results of which allowed for the establishment of four co-constructed goals. These goals were targeted …

The Role Of The Speech-Language Pathologist With Survivors Of Traumatic Brain Injury From Intimate Partner Violence And Providers’ Knowledge Of This Role, Nicolle Mcadams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Intimate partner violence occurs globally at alarming rates. Many experience adverse health impacts such as traumatic brain injury. Healthcare providers do not know the role of the speech-language pathologist, or the rehabilitation needs of survivors.

Aims: This scoping review aims to identify speech-language pathology services for survivors of intimate partner violence with a resulting traumatic brain injury, and knowledge of healthcare providers on the rehabilitation needs of this population. A search was completed in May to October 2023, resulting in a total of 13 articles reviewed.

Main contributions: Speech-language pathologists lack knowledge to provide services to intimate partner violence survivors …

Exploring The Relationship Between College Students' Self-Reported Listening Habits With Apple Airpods Or Earbuds And Pure Tone Hearing Threshold Outcomes, Blake Roth, Maegan Koch, Aubree Warner, Annika Wallace, Romina Gehrts, Austin Drake

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

This study investigated the relationship between self-reported listening habits of college students and their auditory threshold screening outcomes. Survey data was collected in addition to the completion of basic audiometry screening procedures. Results indicated most participants listen to portable devices within safe ranges. While these results are encouraging, continued efforts should be made to educate users of portable listening devices on the negative effects of music-induced hearing loss.

Exploring Attrition And Linguistic Shifts: The Impact Of Covid-19 And Anti-Asian Discrimination On The East And Southeast Asian Diaspora, Amy Wan-Ling Lin

University Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the complex interplay of language and identity among speakers of East Asian and Southeast Asian languages in the United States, within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the concurrent rise in anti-Asian hate. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach to delve into these complexities, guided by three research questions exploring changes in language use since the onset of the pandemic, changes in perspective on language identity since the onset of the pandemic, and the effect of geopolitical climate, specifically the rise in Asian hate, on language use and perspective on language identity. The qualitative methodology employed …

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Identification Gap In Speech Language Pathology, Mallory Prior

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

Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences, a variety of potentially traumatic events occurring within the first 18 years of life, are at increased risk for speech and language disorders. Due to the high prevalence of trauma and its lasting effects, it is almost guaranteed that children who are experiencing the ongoing effects from adversity will be found on practicing Speech Language Pathologists’ caseloads. This scoping review was designed to identify current screening practices of Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) in comparison to other professionals (e.g., allied health and education), as well as additional information related to screening procedures for SLPs. The …

Behavioral Management Of Respiratory/Phonatory Dysfunction For Dysarthria Associated With Neurodegenerative Disease: A Systematic Review, Sarah E. Perry, Michelle Troche, Jessica E. Huber, Jordanna Sevitz, James Curtis, Brianna Kiefer, Qiana Dennard, Deanna Britton, Multiple Additional Authors

Speech and Hearing Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose:

This systematic review represents an update to previous reviews of the literature addressing behavioral management of respiratory/phonatory dysfunction in individuals with dysarthria due to neurodegenerative disease.

Method:

Multiple electronic database searches and hand searches of prominent speech-language pathology journals were conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards.

Results:

The search yielded 1,525 articles, from which 88 met inclusion criteria and were reviewed by two blinded co-investigators. A large range of therapeutic approaches have been added to the evidence base since the last review, including expiratory muscle strength training, singing, and computer- and device-driven …

Validation Of A Virtual Auditory Space, And Its Use To Investigate How Pitch And Spatial Cues Contribute To Perceptual Segregation Of Auditory Streams, Nima Zargarnezhad

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The human auditory system can decompose complex sound mixtures into distinct perceptual auditory objects through a process (or processes) known as Auditory Scene Analysis. Pitch and spatial cues are among the sound attributes known to influence sequential streaming (Plack 2018). In this project, the fidelity of a virtual acoustic space (the Audio Dome) in reproducing precisely located sound sources with a 9^th-order ambisonics algorithm was validated. The estimated horizontal Minimum Audible Angles aligned with previously reported values (Mills 1958) homogeneously across the space, and a robust low-frequency presentation was identified. Then, the Audio Dome was utilized to test …

The Cross-Linguistic And Cross-Situational Association Between Accentedness And Its Impact As Rated By Speakers, Makaila Groves

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Vocal Development Patterns: Predicting Neurogenetic Risk In Infancy Using Early Vocal Development And Sex, Alyssa Cregg, Rachel Siela, Olivia Battaglia, Kaylee Bobay, Madison Chin, Athena Fordwor, Conghao Gao, Deeksha Handa, Erin Lee, Tiernan Mcdivitt, Grace Strabala, Victoria Tuell, Laurel Williams

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Extant literature documents a higher rate of language/speech disorders in males; however, despite sex being a potential moderator of outcomes, we do not know what role it plays in early vocal behavior of infants at high risk for such disorders. The purpose of this study was to ask: (1) Do high-risk infants demonstrate atypical vocal development patterns? (2) Is the quality and quantity of early babble distinct for male and female infants, and does this pattern vary across risk? To answer these questions, we examined the canonical babbling ratio (CBR; the ratio of canonical syllables, those with a consonant and …

“Your Legs Don’T Look All That Good” An Analysis Of Impoliteness And Politeness In Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injuries In The Workplace, Grace Kozal

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

Background: Social communication disorders are a common outcome from traumatic brain injury (TBI). This social communication disorder can be seen through impolite speech acts during conversation. While politeness is a social norm for workplace discourse, instances of impoliteness may have poor consequences. This research explores the use of impoliteness in persons with TBI within computer generated work-based conditions.

Methods: Language samples from the Voicemail Elicitation Task (VET) and Feedback/Advice Spoken Task (FAST) were transcribed word-for-word. Transcripts from all 62 participants were coded for impoliteness using a developed Impoliteness Codebook and were analyzed to identify significant differences in the number of …