Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

An Innovative Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (Cimt) Program Design And Case Study To Address Upper Extremity Use And Spatial Inattention, Mark Blanchard, Ingrid A. Franc, Payton Nisby, Michelle Arceneaux, Kathleen Chapiesky, Genevieve Ducros, Austin Brannon

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

Introduction: Common consequences of stroke include decreased upper extremity function and spatial inattention, both of which cause difficulties in occupational performance in activities of daily living. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is an intervention that has been utilized to improve these consequences of stroke.

Methods: This single case study describes the design and results of a two-week modified CIMT (mCIMT) program that used an enhanced visual and auditory feedback system, the Flint Rehab FitMi device, to address both upper extremity function and left spatial inattention in one participant. Left spatial awareness was encouraged during mCIMT activities by striking targeted pucks placed …

The Application Of Time-Frequency Analysis To Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials, Hannah R. Richardson

Dissertations, 2020-current

Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) are produced by highly synchronous bursts of extraocular muscle activity in response to bone or air-conducted stimuli. Surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes can be used to record these responses which reflect utricular function. The traditional analysis of oVEMPs has been limited to time-domain waveform measurements, such as amplitude and latency of response peaks.

Recently, a method grounded in synchrony-based time-frequency analysis was successfully applied to cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) by Clinard et al. (2022). This approach to VEMP analysis can be used as a means to differentiate synchrony from amplitude, quantifying how phase …

The Relationship Between The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex And Vestibular Perception In Trained Dancers Using Sinusoidal Harmonic Acceleration Testing, Diana Trinidad

Dissertations, 2020-current

Early studies have found that engaging in vestibular training, such as dance, may result in enhanced VOR suppression and changes in vestibular perception (e.g., lower sensations of vertigo) attributed to top-down modulation of subcortical neuronal networks and changes in the cerebellum. Dancers use spotting techniques to help control dizziness which involve holding their gaze on a visual object at eye level as they turn. As a result of this training, dancers become habituated to vestibular stimuli leading to lower VOR responses and decreased sensations of vertigo. This study investigated the relationship between the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and vestibular perception in …

Intertrial Coherence As A Measure Of Synchrony In Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials And The Effect Of Gaze Angle, Sydney Brown

Dissertations, 2020-current

Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) are produced by highly synchronous bursts of extraocular muscle activity in response to stimuli. These responses reflect utricular function and can be recorded using surface electromyography electrodes. Traditional analysis of oVEMPs is limited to time-domain waveform measurements, such as amplitude and latency of response peaks. Objective synchrony-based measures have not yet been applied to the analysis of oVEMPs, particularly in the comparison of synchrony across gaze angles. We followed the new time-frequency method of analysis developed by Clinard et al. (2022) that was successfully applied to cervical VEMPs to quantify response synchrony. Air-conducted oVEMPs …

Establishing The Feasibility Of Sustained Sinusoidal Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials In Young Adults, Ashton Fowlkes

Dissertations, 2020-current

Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) are used in clinics and research to assess the function of primarily the saccule. cVEMPs are typically stimulated with transient clicks or tone bursts through air conduction and are recorded from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. The SCM is contracted by turning the head either left or right. In this study, we used sustained sinusoidal bone conducted stimuli. Using this new stimulus method allowed us to look at the possibility of a sustained cVEMP response, compared to the typically recorded transient response, as well as analyze the amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the responses. …

A Literature Review: Understanding Gestalt Language Processing In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jordynn L. Urwiler

Honors Thesis

Gestalt language processing (GLP) is not a new idea in the field of speech-language pathology. However, the topic has recently become more popular among practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and the neurodiversity movement may be partially responsible. Advocates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shifted away from using behavioral approaches that try to “fix” autistic1 cognition and communication patterns. Although Analytical Language Processing (ALP) is the typical path for language development, it is now understood that GLP may be a valid form of language acquisition used by both neurotypical and neurodivergent people. The purpose of this literature review is to provide …

Expanding “Brain Games”: What Have We Learned From A Program Designed To Support Healthy Brain Aging In Older Adults?, Ella Mckinney

Honors Capstones

This study was part of a larger investigation examining the feasibility and impact of “Brain Games,” an intergenerational program designed to provide brain health education and cognitive training for healthy aging adults to maximize cognitive function and quality of life. The purpose of this project was to explore whether and how short- and long-term effects of “Brain Games” were tempered by demographic variables, including cognitive self-efficacy and socioeconomic factors. Study participants included older adults residing in two senior living centers in the DeKalb area. All participants received cognitive training and brain health education via “Brain Games”, which was offered in …

How Much Should Consumers With Mild To Moderate Hearing Loss Spend On Hearing Devices?, Vinaya Manchaiah, Steve Taddei, Abram Bailey, De Wet Swanepoel, Hansapani Rodrigo, Andrew Sabin

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: This study examined the relationship between hearing device price and sound quality. Method: A novel consumer-centric metric of sound quality (“SoundScore”) was used to assess hearing devices’ audio performance. Each hearing device is tested with two fittings. The “Initial Fit” is designed to approximate the most likely fitting for an individual with a mild-to-moderate sloping sensorineural hearing loss. The “Tuned Fit” includes adjusting parameters optimized to hit prescriptive fitting targets (NAL NL2) on an acoustic manikin. Each fitting is evaluated across five dimensions. Both fittings are combined using a weighted average to create a single number from 0 to …

Influence Of Hearing Loss On Self-Reported Hearing Ability And Listening Fatigue In Persons With Aphasia, Ashlyn Kilgore

Poster Presentations

Aphasia is an acquired disorder, often caused by stroke, that results in language deficits. It can greatly impact a person's ability to communicate with others. Cognitive deficits may accompany aphasia. Additionally, hearing loss is a disability likely to co-occur with aphasia, as they both most commonly impact the same age group. When a person has hearing loss, the quality of the auditory signal is degraded when it reaches the brain. The poor signal quality, compounded with linguistic and possible cognitive deficits that are associated with aphasia, makes it more difficult for persons with aphasia (PWA) to comprehend speech.

For all …

Advancing Speech Intelligibility Assessment: Comparing School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists, Laypersons, And Speech Recognition Software., Hannah Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental study utilized a convenience sample (N = 86) to investigate the comparability of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs), laypersons, and speech recognition software in the assessment of speech intelligibility for children with phonological disorders. Eighty-nine percent of participants were female, and 92% were white. All participants completed a survey comprised of 25 audio recordings of single-word utterances from an AI-generated voice of a four-year-old male with a phonological disorder and were asked to select what word they believed was heard from a pool of 12 options. The survey also included a passage read by the same AI-generated voice, and …

Long-Term Changes In Bolus Parameters During Swallowing Post-Chemoradiation Treatment., Brittany Rebecca Smiley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current treatment for oropharyngeal cancer involves chemoradiation, which can have profound effects on swallowing function. Submental muscle activity is critical for airway protection and bolus transit but is highly susceptible to radiation-related swallowing impairments. This study examined whether chemoradiation targeting the submental muscles leads to measurable changes in esophageal distension during swallowing in a rodent model. We hypothesized that rats receiving chemoradiation would exhibit aberrant esophageal distension compared to chemotherapy-only controls. Twenty male rats underwent four cycles of cisplatin concurrently with either radiation or sham radiation. High-speed videofluoroscopy swallow studies were conducted pre- and post-treatment with thin liquids to analyze …

Language Sample Analysis In Preschool-Age Children At-Risk For Speech Sound Disorders, Hannah Spear

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Language sample analysis is a highly beneficial tool that speech-language pathologists can utilize to provide a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for their client. This method is particularly valuable because it assesses a child’s speech in a naturalistic form, allowing therapists to observe how the child communicates in real-world settings. Speech sound disorders account for the highest number of cases treated by speech-language pathologist in the pediatric population. This thesis aims to investigate two different types of language sample analysis software, CLAN and SALT, as well as their benefits and limitations in diagnosing speech sound disorders. Understanding the …

Influence Of Hearing Loss On Self-Reported Hearing Ability And Listening Fatigue In Persons With Aphasia, Ashlyn Kilgore

Honors Theses

Aphasia is an acquired disorder, often caused by stroke, that results in language deficits. It can greatly impact a person's ability to communicate with others. Cognitive deficits may accompany aphasia. Additionally, hearing loss is a disability likely to co-occur with aphasia, as they both most commonly impact the same age group. When a person has hearing loss, the quality of the auditory signal is degraded when it reaches the brain. The poor signal quality, compounded with linguistic and possible cognitive deficits that are associated with aphasia, makes it more difficult for persons with aphasia (PWA) to comprehend speech.

For all …

Adherence To Follow-Up Among High-Risk Nicu Patients, Iryna Muryn, Susan Mbullah Ndimah, Lisa Renee Eiland, Tara Lozy

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Preterm infants, especially those ≤32 weeks' gestational age (GA) are at increased risk of vision and hearing loss. Risks of both vision and hearing loss can be ameliorated and in some cases prevented by conscientious screening, follow up and treatment. Universally, infants ≤32 weeks are cared for in neonatal intensive care units and there is considerable confidence that screenings and treatment occur according to established guidelines. At hospital discharge, follow up responsibility shifts to infant caretakers likely resulting in reduced compliance.

Objective:

We aimed to determine if preterm infants at risk for vision and hearing loss, attended follow up …

The Impact Of Hazardous Noise Levels On The Hearing Mechanism Of Marching Band Students, Margaret Westbrook

Honors Theses

Marching band participants are exposed to hazardous noise levels, and they are at risk of developing hearing loss. In this study, the impact of marching band noise on the hearing mechanism of marching band students was examined. Participants who were not in the marching band and were not exposed to noise were used as controls. Detailed case history and noise exposure history were collected using a noise exposure questionnaire (NEQ). The pure tone audiometry test was conducted to examine their hearing, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were recorded to examine the inner ear function, and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were …

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 …

Peer-Led Support Groups For People With Early Onset Parkinson's Disease, Linnea Tabaka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Early onset Parkinson’s Disease (EOPD) is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease when diagnosed between the ages of 21 and 50. This population faces unique challenges due to family, social, and career demands that correlate with the age of diagnosis. Support groups have been utilized frequently for people with traditional PD and their caregivers but may not meet the unique needs people with EOPD face. This study explores the existing benefits of a peer-led support group (group led by members of the group) for persons with EOPD. Methodology: This is a qualitative case study of an established support …

Teaching Bilingual Features To A Young Augmentative And Alternative Communication User With Autism, Paola Gallegos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examines how a minimally verbal, young Spanish-English bilingual child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) uses translanguaging toggle features on an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to produce multi-word picture descriptions. The study employed a Rapidly Alternating Treatments Design (RATD) to analyze AAC performance under language-controlled Spanish-only and English-only conditions. A quantitative analysis examined the frequency and patterns of bilingual AAC feature use during aided modeling and instruction, while qualitative methods explored the related challenges and benefits. This study highlights the potential for bilingual AAC systems to enhance communication effectiveness and underscores the importance of incorporating user and …

Assessing Language Skills Of Children Within The Head Start Program Using Language Sampling Analysis, Lynley Bowen

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Fluency disorders, including stuttering and cluttering, disrupt one’s natural rate of speech and can cause implications for one’s emotional well-being. This study explores the relationship between language factors and stuttered events in preschool-age children by analyzing a spontaneous language sample using two transcription software programs, CLAN and SALT. A language sample was collected from a child enrolled in a local Head Start program and was transcribed and analyzed using the software programs. Results from CLAN’s KIDEVAL and FLUCALC features offered analysis of the child’s language profile, as well as SALT’s standards measure report feature. This study highlights the importance of …

Over-Imitation In Adolescents With Autism Compared With Typically Developing Peers: An Expanded Literature Review, Elizabeth Floeck

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background:

Over-imitation, the act of imitating both relevant and irrelevant actions, is a behavior commonly found in human learning and social development. It is often observed in typically developing (TD) children and is believed to play a role in both social and learning development. While the exact motivations behind over-imitation remain a mystery, over-imitation appears to be a socially motivated behavior. Children may over-imitate when they know certain actions are unnecessary, suggesting this behavior stems from social acceptance and norms. In individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), social and communicative behaviors are drastically different from TD individuals. In individuals …

Empowering Through Technology: An Internship Report On Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Olivia G. Macdonald

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices play a crucial role in supporting individuals with communication challenges, particularly children with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on AAC and offers a detailed report of an internship experience at the University of Arkansas WE CARE Summer Camp. During the internship, firsthand experiences provided valuable insights into how AAC technologies can be applied to enhance communication, foster social connections, and support behavioral regulation.

The literature review explores the different types of AAC systems, including both aided and unaided options, and discusses the …

Over-Imitation Skills In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Compared To Typically Developing Peers: An Expanded Literature Review, Josephine M. Stadler

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background:

Imitation, a foundational social and cognitive development mechanism, enables individuals to acquire cultural norms, communication skills, and problem-solving strategies. Over-imitation— the replication of both relevant and irrelevant actions demonstrated by others—plays a critical role in social learning. While typically developing children often engage in over-imitation to promote social bonding and affiliation, the role and underlying motivations for over-imitation in children with ASD remain less clearly understood.

Purpose:

Through a critical synthesis of professional and scholarly literature, this review aims to evaluate the history and development of research on imitation and over-imitation, assess empirical findings regarding typically developing children …

Adaptation, Reliability, And Validity Of The Auditory Skills Checklist (Asc) For Bengali Speaking Children With Severe To Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss With Hearing Aids, Istiak Rahman, Mahedi Hasan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The audiologic assessment guidelines of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) encouraged functional auditory skills assessment, appropriate for age. The Auditory Skills Checklist (ASC) assessment tool was developed from the necessity to assess the auditory skills of young children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). The aim of this study was to adapt a Bengali version of the ASC checklist from the original English version and then to test its reliability and validity.

Methods: The method of forward-backward translation and cognitive debriefing was employed to produce a culturally sensitive Bengali version of the checklist. The data was analyzed for …

Millennial And Gen-Z Experiences In Healthcare And Education In The Us, Zabia Evans, Anastasia Raymer, Beverly Khabo

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

In the United States, healthcare and educational institutions have a deep-rooted history of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and other demographic factors, resulting in unequal access to services and mistreatment of minority populations. This history extends to the field of speech-language pathology, with disparities in service being cited in the literature due to lack of clinician knowledge, non-diverse standardized testing measures, lack of resources and support, among other factors. Policies and legislation in recent decades have attempted to address these serious issues. This survey research investigates the childhood healthcare and educational experiences of individuals born during or after 1981, focusing …

Closing The Gap: Preschool Quality Affect On Language Acquisition Across Socioeconomic Statuses, Abby E. Hannnon Ms, Kaitlyn Clark Ms, Olivia Lewis Ms, Catherine L. Cotton Ms

Undergraduate Research Conference

Language acquisition is impacted greatly in the early years of life by many contributing factors. Children begin to have the conscious ability to acquire, learn, and develop language in exponential capacities around the age of 3-4 years old. These years are vital for the future of individuals' speech and communication. Preschool education is the beginning building blocks that lead to K-12 language learning and development. Socioeconomic statuses differ across all preschool aged children’s homes, consequently affecting the language heard and learned in the household. Our goal is to examine whether the quality of preschool education reduces the language acquisition gap …

How Do Slp's In Mississippi Incorporate Religious Activities In Adult Therapy Sessions, Nina M. Coker, Kenzie Priest, Claire Leak, Callie Abraham

Undergraduate Research Conference

Our research study proposes that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Mississippi consider including religious activities in therapy sessions with adult clients, highlighting the impact of these practices on the clinician-client relationship. The purpose of this research proposal is to gain information on how SLPs can incorporate religious activities in therapy sessions. It also seeks to emphasize the importance of clinicians’ cultural awareness regarding religious practices and how their awareness can impact their client’s experience. This study will consist of two surveys. The first survey will be completed by clinicians to gain knowledge of their awareness and incorporation of religion within therapy …

Does Awareness Of Behavioral Challenges Impact The Preparedness Of Recent Slp Graduate Students For Their Professional Practice?, Madison K. Jones, Catherine L. Cotton Dr.

Undergraduate Research Conference

This research aims to explore how awareness of behavioral challenges, such as aggression, defiance, and hyperactivity, affects the preparedness of recent Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) graduates. With over 84% of children receiving SLP services also facing emotional or behavioral difficulties, it is crucial to examine whether new SLPs feel prepared to manage these challenges. The study seeks to assess whether increased awareness of behavioral issues correlates with greater confidence and readiness in addressing them during the first year of clinical practice. The study will involve administering a survey to first-year Speech-Language Pathologists. The survey will focus on their preparedness and their …

Difference Or Disorder? Misidentification Of Speech And Language Disorders In Mississippi’S Public Schools, Lori Leachman, Catherine Cotton Dr.

Undergraduate Research Conference

Students who are misdiagnosed with speech and language disorders often miss out on necessary class time and can fall behind their peers. In order to decrease the prevalence of misdiagnoses due to dialectal and linguistic differences, we must first understand how SLPs currently differentiate between typical and disordered speech. In this study, information will be gathered on the current abilities of Mississippi public school SLPs to identify the difference between a speaker that is linguistically diverse and a speaker with disordered speech or language. SLPs will listen to AI generated speech samples–some disordered, some typical, but with non-mainstream dialects–and be …

Spatial Training For Children With Suspected Auditory Processing Disorder: A Random Control Trial, Taylor Delao

Student Research Symposium

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), defined here as a deficit in the way sounds are analyzed by the brain, has remained a controversial topic within audiology for decades.

A Novel Method For Deriving The Binaural Interaction Component And Its Association With Spatial Listening Ability In Adults, Kate M. Fisher, Marlana J. Petersen, Mindee Anderson, Annika P. Williams

Student Research Symposium

• Spatial listening helps children detect and focus on specific sounds in noisy environments.
• Classrooms require filtering relevant speech (e.g., teacher's voice) from background noise, which is challenging without strong spatial listening skills.