Speech and Hearing Science Commons^™

Structuring Clinical Readiness Through The Core Model In Csd Graduate Education, Camille Byrd O'Quin, Elaine Reyna, Angela M. Riccelli, Jessica Bonner, Judy Platt, Nicole Bing

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This article introduces the CORE Clinical Orientation Model, a conceptual framework designed to support early clinical readiness in speech-language pathology graduate education. Grounded in the field's shift from traditional site-based apprenticeship models toward more structured, faculty-supported approaches, the model addresses documented variability in early clinical supervision and student preparedness. The CORE Model is organized around four interrelated pillars: Clinical Foundations, Ongoing Reflection, Rigorous Clinical Application, and Engaged & Intentional Mentorship. Although the model was developed alongside a graduate clinical orientation course, the course represents one implementation of the framework. This article describes the theoretical and professional foundations of the CORE …

Effect Of Head Coverings On Directional Microphone Performance In Modern Hearing Aids: A Kemar-Based Laboratory Evaluation, Zahra Fekri, Mariam Mohamad, Ayasakanta Rout

Faculty Scholarship

Background/Objectives: Directional microphones are an established hearing aid technology for improving speech understanding in background noise. Although researchers have examined the influence of hair, spectacles, and earmold venting on directional performance, no systematic work has addressed head coverings, which people wear worldwide for cultural, religious, occupational, and personal reasons. This study determined whether a cotton head covering alters the directivity index (DI) of highest-level receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. Methods: A Knowles Electronics Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) was positioned in a double-walled, sound-treated booth, and DI was measured for omnidirectional and fixed directional microphone settings, with and without a two-layer …

Hidden Patterns: Revealing The Noise Exposure Habits Of College Musicians Throughout The Year, Maya Vallejo

Holster Scholar Projects

College musicians face elevated risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to extensive rehearsal, headphone use, and performance activity, yet most objective sound-exposure studies rely on personal dosimeters that capture only brief windows (1–3 weeks) during the academic year, and overlook headphone-specific exposure. This study leveraged historical Apple Watch and AirPods sound data from participants in the ongoing AMI study (Skoe lab, University of Connecticut) to compare environmental and headphone noise exposure between academic-year and academic-break periods in college-age lifelong, former, and non-musicians. Sound levels (dBA) were calculated using duration-weighted, log-power averaging to account for the logarithmic nature of decibels. …

Integrating Public Health Into Communication Sciences And Disorders Curriculum, Whitney D. Perkins, Yalanda M. Barner, Jennifer Wiles, Brandi Newkirk-Turner

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is increasingly integrating public health into its practice and research. This is because less than 10% of speech-language pathology and audiology graduate programs are housed within Colleges or Schools of Public Health (PH), reducing the likelihood that students in CSD have the opportunity for coursework and co-curricular activities that integrate PH and CSD. In this paper, we discuss the holistic approach we used to integrate PH into a CSD program at a Historically Black University. The approach was guided by PH and CSD accreditation standards and involved a didactic course, CSD courses …

Monitoring Spoken Language In Infants And Toddlers Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Using The Lena Developmental Snapshot, Monika-Maria Oster, Kimberly A. Peters

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Purpose: This retrospective analysis evaluates the Developmental Snapshot as a language monitoring tool for infants and toddlers with bilateral hearing loss who use listening and spoken language.

Method: Data were obtained from the educational and clinical records of 147 children with bilateral hearing loss. For each child, the LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) Developmental Snapshot, a standardized online language assessment that relies on parent report, had been completed at least once. When available, scores from other standardized language assessments (PLS-5, CDI, and DAYC-2) were also obtained.

Results: LENA Developmental Snapshot standard scores were characterized by high variability and mean scores in …

Fall Risk In Community-Dwelling Adults: A Comparison Of English And Spanish-Speaking Individuals, Jesus D. Gomez

Dissertations, 2020-current

Falls are a leading cause of injury-related mortality among middle-aged and older adults. Although vestibular dysfunction, hearing loss, behavioral factors, and social determinants of health have been associated with increased fall risk, few studies have examined these relationships. Furthermore, limited research in audiology and vestibular science has investigated fall-risk vulnerability among Spanish-speaking individuals.

This study aimed to: (1) estimate the prevalence of fall risk among community-dwelling adults and compare prevalence between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking participants; (2) assess the prevalence of previously undiagnosed benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and compare prevalence between language groups; and (3) develop predictive models of fall …

Responsivity Education Reflection Packet For Multigenerational Caregivers, Natalie Holsky

Honors Projects

Caregivers play an essential role in supporting their child’s language development. Through everyday routines, caregivers have countless opportunities to foster strong language skills. Extensive research has examined the influence of caregiver input on language development. Comparatively little research has explored how historical trends in parenting advice across generations may shape caregivers’ use of language facilitation practices. The purpose of my honors project was to examine how generational parenting trends could inform the development of a clinic-to-home language facilitation resource. This resource was designed to help caregivers incorporate language facilitation strategies into everyday routines to increase language-rich interactions at home. A …

Naturalistic Aided Language Intervention For Children Who Have Multiple Disabilities Including Visual Impairment, Naomi Nattress

Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

ABSTRACT

This dissertation examined aided AAC interventions for individuals with multiple disabilities, including visual impairment, across three original studies. Chapter 2, a meta-analysis, found limited rigorous research for this population while showing that individuals at early symbolic stages with diverse visual profiles can successfully engage with AAC when appropriate adaptations are provided. The pilot study in Chapter 3 indicated that caregivers and graduate student clinicians can learn and implement naturalistic AAC techniques and VI accommodations with high fidelity through structured coaching. The mixed methods study in Chapter 4 introduced the ImPAACT-VI program, showing strong outcomes in educator performance, students’ symbolic …

Pragmatic Measures In Aided Language Measurement: Aac Clinical Expert Perspectives, Makayla Hydiea Smith

Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

Purpose: The augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) discipline currently lacks psychometrically sound aided language measures. This thesis is designed to address one step in developing such measures: to begin to establish the clinical feasibility of three pragmatic measures – communicative intent, independence/co-construction, and imitation/non-imitation. Therefore, the objective of this thesis is to identify the useability of these pragmatic measures.

Method: A qualitative approach in the form of a focus group was used to examine the perceptions of SLP practitioners who are experts in AAC. Rapid qualitative analysis (RQA) was used to identify relevant themes and subthemes.

Results: Overall, the themes …

When “Mild” Isn’T Minor: Return-To-Work Challenges In Post-Stroke Mild Aphasia, Maya Berro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Return-to-work (RTW) is an important aspect of social participation and quality of life following stroke. However, limited research has explored the experiences of individuals with mild aphasia in the RTW process. This purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how individuals with post-stroke mild aphasia perceive their ability to RTW and identify factors that influence this process. Ten adults with mild or very mild aphasia participated in individual semi- structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: (1) Barriers to RTW, (2) Facilitators to RTW, and (3) Perceptions of …

Discourse Production And Its Relationship To Cognition In Mild Aphasia, Marcy D. Edwards

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objective:Standardized assessments such as the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised do not reliably detect subtle language impairments in mild aphasia (Dalton & Richardson, 2015). Discourse tasks may provide a more sensitive measure of impairment. Although discourse tasks differ in cognitive demands (Kim & Kintz, 2024), variation in discourse performance across tasks and the influence of cognition remains unclear. Therefore, this study examined (1) whether discourse performance differs across different discourse elicitation tasks, and (2) the extent to which cognition influences discourse performance in individuals with mild aphasia.

Participants & Methods: Fifteen participants with mild aphasia participated (mean age = 62.7 years). Discourse …

Listener Factors In Integrating Syntax And Plausibility In Sentences Produced With Versus Without Stuttering, Gabriella L. Burgess Hayes

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Development of communication-focused therapy for people who stutter requires better understanding of how stuttering impacts oral comprehension. One aim was to investigate how stuttering impacts listeners’ ability to integrate syntax and world knowledge (plausibility) in sentence processing. A second aim was to investigate how listener factors predict ability to integrate information in sentences with stuttering.

Methods: 224 adults heard 24 experimental sentences interspersed with 24 fillers. Experimental sentences included six plausible double-object dative (DO) constructions, six plausible prepositional dative (PD) constructions, six implausible DO constructions, and six implausible PD constructions. Implausible constructions served as analogues of communication breakdowns. Half …

Aphasia Therapy In An Arabic-Speaking Individual After Stroke: A Case Report, Mohammed F. Alharbi Dr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This case report describes the clinical application and preliminary outcomes of Arabic-adapted Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA), Phonological Components Analysis (PCA), and Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) in an Arabic-speaking adult with post-stroke aphasia and highlights language-specific factors that affect the adaptation of these interventions to Arabic. Methods: The participant was a 53-year-old right-handed native Arabic-speaking man who developed moderate to severe nonfluent transcortical motor aphasia after a left middle cerebral artery stroke. One month after stroke onset, he underwent assessment with the Short Aphasia Test for Gulf Arabic speakers, which showed relatively preserved auditory comprehension and repetition but marked …

An Exploration Of The Intersection Of Artificial Intelligence And Speech-Language Pathology -- Potential Impacts, Manish K. Rami

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This paper explores the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the profession of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). AI is widely recognized as a transformative force, presenting opportunities across both service delivery and professional practice in SLP. Method: The analysis employs the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's  Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology as an organizing framework to systematically evaluate AI applications across professional and service delivery domains. Within each domain, the study identifies emerging use cases, evaluates the capacity for AI technologies to automate or augment clinical processes, and examines broader implications for the profession, with particular attention to anticipated changes …

Exploring The Influence Of Ear-Level Devices On Adult Perceptions Across Professional, Social, And Educational Settings, Lucia R. Berry

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: The hearing aid market is continuously advancing to address the increasing prevalence of hearing loss and the barriers to obtaining hearing aids. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Apple AirPods Pro 2 devices to function as over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. This is an alternative option to manage hearing difficulties; however, it presents secondary complications related to headphone use and stigma.

Objective: Limited research is available regarding attitudes towards individuals wearing Apple AirPods Pro 2 as OTC hearing aids. This study intended to analyze if people’s pre-established perceptions of Apple AirPods shift once they learn they are being used …

Accepts: Advancing Communication Competence And Equitable Practices When Training Students, Imani Smith, Jamie Mayer, Tertia Jeppson

Honors Capstones

This project aims to collaboratively create an online, interactive experiential learning program to enhance students’ communication skills when engaging with adults who have cognitive-communication disabilities (CCD). Effective communication is vital for patient-centered care, yet training often lacks contributions from those with lived experience. Using a community-based participatory research framework, this pilot study centers on a needs assessment through focus groups  involving adults with CCD (n=4-8 participants). Initial pilot work will involve structured discussions to examine views on communication barriers and strategies. Data will be analyzed qualitatively to identify main themes that guide program development. Early findings are expected to emphasize …

Learner-Centered Education As A Model For Promoting Client-Centered Care In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Shanna R. Callewaert, Sarah M. Ginsberg

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

As the student voice is increasingly valued in teaching and learning within higher education, learner-centered education (LCE) has gained traction as a method of creating classrooms that are unique to students’ desires and expectations (Barr & Tagg, 1995; Weimer, 2002). Similarly, client-centered care can be employed as a way for clinicians to shape treatment based on clients’ individual goals (Barry & Edgman-Levitan, 2012; Epstein & Street, 2011). This paper explores the relationships between LCE and client-centered care, noting the importance of engaging communication sciences and disorders students in LCE as it can promote the use of client-centered care in their …

Faculty And Student Perspectives On Course Collaborations Within Communication Sciences And Disorders, Shanna R. Callewaert, Sarah M. Ginsberg

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The collaborative course (re)design (CCRD) process provides faculty and students with an opportunity to collaborate in partnership to redesign a course that the faculty teaches and that the student has previously taken. This process amplifies student voices and allows faculty to increase their understanding of students’ learning and experiences. However, barriers of CCRD, such as faculty members’ desires to retain decision-making control, students’ hesitations to share feedback, and logistical concerns, prevent many faculty and students from taking part in the process. This qualitative study sought to gain insight into the perspectives held by students and faculty in the communication sciences …

How Audiologists Are Using Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Tinnitus Management: A Preliminary Study, Katherine M. Mueller

Dissertations, 2020-current

Audiologists interact with patients reporting bothersome tinnitus frequently, however there is no standardized protocol to follow when treating/counseling these patients. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly researched and has been proven to alleviate bothersome tinnitus symptoms, yet audiologists are not clinically trained in this tinnitus management. Specific forms of CBT that were analyzed in this study include Attention Shifting, Neurophysiological Education, and Progressive Muscle Relaxations. This study surveyed current audiologists to determine how they are using adapted CBT techniques (aCBTt) for tinnitus management. This questionnaire aimed to investigate a) the effect of audiologists’ practice duration on their frequency to recommend …

Parent Attitudes Toward Augmentative And Alternative Communication (Aac) In Children With Speech And Language Disorders, Megan N. Wells, Jane Grothaus

Undergraduate Research Journal

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems support individuals who experience difficulty communicating through spoken language. While research demonstrates that AAC can significantly improve communication outcomes, caregiver perceptions play a critical role in the successful implementation of these systems. The purpose of this study was to examine parent and caregiver attitudes toward AAC use among children with speech and language disorders. A fifteen-question online survey was distributed to caregivers of children currently using AAC systems. Responses from caregivers (n = 17) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of open-ended responses. Results indicated that most caregivers reported improvements in their …

How Screen Time Affects Language Development In Children Ages Three To Five Years, Alyssa R. Sherman

Honors Thesis

Screen time has become an increasingly prominent part of early childhood, particularly following shifts in daily routines after the COVID-19 pandemic. This literature review examines how screen time affects language development in children ages three to five, a critical developmental period for expressive and receptive language skills. The review synthesizes current research on the use of passive and interactive screens and their associations with language acquisition, cognitive development, social communication, and physical health outcomes. Across studies, a consistent pattern emerges: excessive screen time is strongly associated with delayed language milestones, reduced social communication skills, poorer sleep quality, and increased physical …

Patterns Of Acquisition For /ɹ/ Across Phonetic Contexts, Hailey Nielson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Purpose: 

This study examined longitudinal changes in /ɹ/ production (i.e., the “r” sound) among 14 children aged five to seven at risk for persistent speech sound disorders (SSDs). Children at risk for SSDs show slower or atypical development of /ɹ/, yet little is known about which early patterns predict persistent difficulty, making it difficult for clinicians to prioritize caseloads and provide timely intervention. Using perceptual accuracy ratings across varied /ɹ/ contexts, we modeled growth in /ɹ/ accuracy across different word contexts and evaluated the extent to which early accuracy and changes in /ɹ/production predicted mastery at age seven.

Methods: 

Longitudinal …

Challenging Myths In Speech-Language Pathology: A Scientific Review Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication (Aac) Use, Bilingualism, And Late Talking, Mariah Morris

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Persistent myths within the field of speech-language pathology continue to influence clinical decision-making and contribute to biases experienced by both providers and clients. This scientific review examines common misconceptions surrounding late talking, bilingualism, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) by evaluating current evidence-based research. Specifically, this review addresses three central questions: Do children outgrow late talking? Does bilingualism cause language delay in children? Does AAC hinder speech development? 

An analysis of multiple peer-reviewed studies revealed little statistical support for the belief that bilingualism or AAC use causes language delays. Instead, research indicates that factors such as limited access to language-rich …

Connecting With Augmentative And Alternative Communication Users: An Internship Report, Karaline Kerzie

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article evaluates and reflects on personal experiences working with children with autism in an early intervention, multidisciplinary setting. Implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech-Language Pathology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and Occupational Therapy techniques created a multifaceted and comprehensive intervention environment in a free-clinic setting.

Caregiver Experiences During Mealtime In Families Of Children With Feeding Disorders In The Borderland, Chyanne Reveles

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the lived experiences of caregivers of children with pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) in the Paso del Norte Region using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Pediatric feeding disorders require sustained medical, social, and emotional demand, often placing caregivers in complex decision-making roles. Understanding how cultural beliefs and context shape caregiving practices is essential to improving services provided by speech-language pathologists and other service providers. The qualitative research approach used facilitated the discovery of themes surrounding the lived experience of the caregivers of children with feeding disorders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with caregivers residing in the U.S.-Mexico border …

Construction Workers Noise Exposure And Hearing Conservation Program Needs, Quinn Noelle Overlin

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Noise exposure among construction workers is a pervasive occupational hazard with serious implications for long-term hearing health and overall well-being. This literature review examines the extent of noise exposures in the construction industry and the long-standing need for implementation of effective hearing conservation programs (HCPs). It synthesizes current evidence on exposure levels, health outcomes, and the effectiveness of existing interventions. Findings reveal that construction workers are routinely exposed to noise levels that exceed occupational safety standards, resulting in a heightened risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and associated health consequences. Despite regulatory frameworks and available intervention strategies, substantial gaps persist …

Evidence-Based Practice In Speech-Language Pathology: Creating Effective Therapy Materials, Avalee Dunkley

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Evidence-based practice is a fairly new topic in speech-language pathology, gaining traction among professionals in the field in the last twenty years. Evidence-based practice is the integration of high-quality research, patient cultural and social values, and clinician expertise to treat a patient. Patients are more likely to progress when these three factors are combined. This paper explores four areas of speech-language pathology that are commonly treated in school-aged children: speech sound disorders, language disorders, social communication disorders, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication. Each section gives a summary of the disorder and how the disorder can be treated …

Learning About The Direct Experiences Of Very Young Children With Hearing Loss: A Feasibility Study, Jenni M. Funk

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

We aimed to explore the feasibility of employing a developmentally appropriate, modified puppet interview method to elicit thoughts and perspectives directly from very young children (ages 3 to 6 years old) who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Little is known about the direct experiences of children with hearing loss, making it difficult to improve care. In our field of speech and hearing sciences, there is no current method of gathering direct experiences of young children and placing them at the center of care. We proposed that researchers may be able to learn about the direct experiences of very young children who …

Enhancing Gender Congruence And Life Satisfaction In The Borderland Through Gender-Affirming Communication Services, Kimberley Ramirez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Transgender individuals frequently encounter barriers to accessing gender-affirming healthcare, particularly within marginalized borderland communities. Communication-based gender affirmation, including voice therapy and nonverbal communication training, remains an underexplored yet essential component of transgender health and psychosocial well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gender-affirming communication services on voice-gender congruence and life satisfaction among transgender individuals living in the U.S.-Mexico borderland region. A single-subject experimental design (ABAB) was implemented with six participants initially enrolled in the study. Four participants completed all intervention phases and were included in final analysis. Intervention consisted of individualized gender-affirming communication services targeting …

Experiences Of Hispanic/Latine Graduate Students In Unco’S Audiology And Speech-Language Pathology Programs Within A Hispanic-Serving Institution Context: Qualitative Thematic Analysis From A Moderated Focus Group, Ashley Fuhrman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Existing literature has examined workforce diversity in healthcare as a factor that may shape patient rapport and the delivery of culturally responsive, patient-centered care. Given the increasing demand for audiologists (AuDs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with diverse and multilingual backgrounds, it is important to understand how graduate programs prepare students to serve linguistically and culturally diverse populations. This qualitative study examines the experiences of Hispanic/Latine graduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), a recently designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The study explores students’ perceptions of training, support, and experiences in serving diverse populations. …