Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

An Observational Study Of Discourse Tasks And Running Speech Sampling In The Assessment Of Paediatric Voice Quality, Victoria Reynolds, Kristin Scavo-Smith, Kate Oteng-Bediako, Sophie Scanlon

Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Publications

Introduction

Running speech sampling is an essential component of a paediatric voice evaluation, in that it should provide the examiner with a representative vocal sample of the child's everyday voice use outside of the clinic setting. Current speech sampling practices, consisting of reading tasks, informal conversation sampling and the voice question ('Tell me about your voice problem'), may not elicit consistent samples or samples of sufficient length to allow the examiner to make a reliable and valid judgement about vocal quality. The aim of this study is to compare the voice quality of children produced in response to existing running …

Lcd 106: Introduction To Communication Sciences And Disorders, Yael Neumann

Open Educational Resources

This course will provide an introduction to the development and disorders of speech, language, and communication in children and adults. Disorders such as autism, aphasia, stuttering, and learning disabilities will be discussed. Differences noted in culturally and linguistically diverse communities will also be addressed. The course activities will give students an experiential appreciation of the experience of communication challenges and supporting people with those challenges. Information about the professions of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), Audiology, and Speech and Hearing Science will be reviewed as potential career paths.

Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System For Voice Therapy: Application To Everyday Clinical Care, Jeremy Wolfberg, John Whyte, Patricia Doyle, Shirley Gherson, Jason Muise, Brian Petty, Carol Jorgensen Tolejano, Robert E Hillman, Tara Stadelman-Cohen, Jarrad H Van Stan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Rehabilitation intervention descriptions often do not explicitly identify active ingredients or how those ingredients lead to changes in patient functioning. The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) provides guidance to identify the critical aspects of any rehabilitation therapy and supported the development of standardly named ingredients and targets in voice therapy (Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System for Voice Therapy [RTSS-Voice]). This study sought to test the content validity of the RTSS-Voice and determine if the RTSS-Voice can be used to identify commonalities and differences in treatment (criterion validity) across clinicians in everyday clinical practice.

METHOD: Five speech-language pathologists from different institutions …

The Effect Of Different Warm-Up Durations On Subjective And Objective Measures Of Singing In Choral Singers Over The Age Of 55, Jeremy A. Chesman

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Choral singing is a popular activity in the United States. Choral singers are often encouraged to warm up vocally before they sing. Considering voice conditions, like presbyphonia, that can develop shortly after retirement, more research about vocal warm-ups is needed for those over the age of 55. This study assesses the effects of various durations of vocal warm-ups on subjective and objective measures of the singing voice using a within-groups design with randomized condition order. Nine participants performed vocal warm-ups for 0, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. A song sample was then recorded and sent to two expert raters who …

The Lived Experiences Of Transmasculine Speakers: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Vocal Quality And Function In Relation To Gender, Micah Wylie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to learn how transmasculine individuals perceive the quality and function of their voices, and how those perceptions influence how they experience gender identity and communicate with others. This qualitative study adopted a hermeneutical phenomenological approach that involved using content analysis and thematic analysis to describe and interpret phenomena. This approach assumes that the researcher is not biased, but is a part of the world being studied and, therefore, understands the phenomenon by interpretive means. Saturation was achieved when all relevant information was introduced, and patterns of information had been identified. Sixteen interviews were conducted. …

Voice Therapy: Racial Disparities In Adherence And Clinically Significant Outcomes, Amber D. Burks

LSU Master's Theses

Voice therapy is evidence-based, behavioral intervention that can reduce functional and organic voice disorders. Despite its proven effectiveness, non-adherence to voice therapy is still an issue. Research shows that an estimated 65% of patients who initiate voice therapy drop out before reaching therapeutic goals. Voice therapy outcomes are largely dependent on patients’ adherence to treatment regimens, but there is limited information concerning factors that may be associated with voice therapy adherence and therapeutic outcomes for patients who successfully complete voice therapy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate which demographic factors could be associated with higher adherence rates to …

Lifting The Heavy Vocal Load: Slps And Their Vocal Habits, Sydney Sedlock

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Novice speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are a vulnerable population that is at-risk for dysphonia. Previous literature has highlighted the high vocal-demand occupations of teaching and entertaining but there is minimal research to understand the prevalence of dysphonia in SLPs. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of vocal fatigue and vocal loading in novice SLPs in western Kentucky to increase awareness of the vulnerability for dysphonia in this population. This investigation was descriptive in nature using a survey format and was sent to SLPs in the western Kentucky region. A total of 21 SLPs responded to the survey. …

Demonstrable Effect Of Vocal Changes On Singing Voices Of Post-Menopausal Women, Haley K. Griffith

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

There is little research concerning the impacts of menopause on the female singing voice, and few research studies examine any treatment methods or exercises to help sustain vocal quality throughout and after menopause. To determine areas in which more detailed studies could be completed, I completed a thorough literature review of current research studies that investigate relationships between menopause and the voice. Many studies examined vocal symptoms of menopause, such as a lowered fundamental frequency (F0) and decreased vocal quality. However, there exists no formally researched or published vocal exercises that help to mitigate these menopausal voice symptoms.

In response, …

Average Speech Directivity, Samuel D. Bellows, Claire M. Pincock, Jennifer K. Whiting, Timothy W. Leishman

Directivity

Speech directivity describes the angular dependence of acoustic radiation from a talker’s mouth and nostrils and diffraction about his or her body and chair (if seated). It is an essential physical aspect of communication affecting sounds and signals in acoustical environments, audio, and telecommunication systems. Because high-resolution, spherically comprehensive measurements of live, phonetically balanced speech have been unavailable in the past, the authors have undertaken research to produce and share such data for simulations of acoustical environments, optimizations of microphone placements, speech studies, and other applications. The measurements included three male and three female talkers who repeated phonetically balanced passages …

The Effectiveness Of The Natural Ear On Adults Ability To Accurately Match Pitch, Kendra Nicole Rosales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Many theories, such as oral motor, perceptual, and sensorimotor deficits, have been posited to explain inaccurate pitch matching abilities. The current study identifies with the sensorimotor deficit theory and found it to be the most plausible explanation for inaccurate singing abilities. The Natural Ear (NE) program was designed to process voice productions in real-time and filter out the discordant harmonics, allowing a person to hear only their F0.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Natural Ear program in increasing pitch matching accuracy in singers.

Methods: A total of 50 participants were included …

Voice Therapy Techniques In Combination With The Group Therapy Setting For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Zoë E. Sommers

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report aims to provide background information related to voicing in Parkinson’s Disease (PD), review the various therapeutic approaches used to benefit individuals diagnosed with PD, and examine how voice impairments affect the lives of individuals with PD. Specifically, therapy techniques focusing on voice and techniques applied in the group therapy setting will be reviewed. PD has a multitude of consequences on an individual’s life, and speech is an area that is greatly affected. This project will highlight some of the interventions that can positively impact the lives of those with Parkinson’s Disease and reflect on how the group therapy …

Changes In Fundamental Frequency Of Voice In A Group Of Transwomen Following Voice Modification Therapy, Emily Marquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The term transgender refers to an individual that identifies with a gender that is different to the one given at birth. Individuals that are transgender experience conflict between the gender the individual identifies with and the sex they are born with. Individuals that are transgender may elect to go through a transition process so that their outward appearance is congruent with their gender identity. Part of the transition process may include voice modification therapy. Transgender individuals may seek voice modification therapy so that the outward appearance matches the voice. However, there is limited information regarding the efficacy of traditional voice …

Vocalization Subsystem Responses To A Temporarily Induced Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis, Daniel J. Croake

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Healthy voicing is thought to be dependent on a dynamic balance of three interactive subsystems: respiration, phonation, and resonance. Theoretically, multiple patterns of subsystem interactions likely underlie healthy voice production; however surprisingly little quantitative data exists defining the nature of these subsystem production patterns and interactions across individuals.

The central aim of this study was to quantify the interactions of the vocalization subsystems in a non-perturbed and perturbed condition (induced unilateral vocal fold paralysis) in 10 vocally healthy participants. Respiratory inductance plethysmography, laryngeal aerodynamics, and acoustic formant data were used to measure the proportional contributions of, and changes to, the …

Speech Function In Persons With Parkinson's Disease: Effects Of Environment, Task And Treatment, Carrie E. Rountrey

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disease affecting aspects of movement, including speech. Persons with PD are reported to have better speech functioning in the clinical setting than in the home setting, but this has not been quantified. New methodologies in ambulatory measures of speech are emerging that allow investigation of non-clinical settings.

The following questions are addressed: Is speech different between environments in PD and in healthy controls? Can clinical tasks predict speech behaviors in the home? Is treatment proven effective by measures in the home? What can we glean from methods of measurement of speech function in …

Aerodynamic And Acoustic Features Of Vocal Effort, Allison Rosenthal

Speech-Language Pathology - Theses

Many voice disorders are associated with an effortful voice; however, there have been very few studies that have examined the physiological changes that contribute to this sense of effort. Determining the factors that contribute to change in vocal effort may help clinicians to effectively target these variables when working with people with voice disorders so that voice improvement is accompanied by decreased vocal effort after treatment. Prior research has shown that alterations in aerodynamic and acoustic variables are often associated with voice disorders involving increased muscular effort, and change in these variables is correlated with abnormal voice qualities. The current …

Endoscopic And Stroboscopic Presentation Of The Larynx In Male-To-Female Transsexual Persons, Derek Palmer, Angela M. Dietsch, Jeff Searl

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Background. Male-to-female transsexual (MFT) persons often attempt to produce a female-sounding voice as part of the transition process. Endoscopic and stroboscopic data about how they accomplish this with an anatomically male larynx are lacking.

Objectives. To describe vocal fold activity in MFT persons producing their feminine voice and identify signs of vocal misuse or hyperfunction in MFT speakers, if any.

Study Design. Prospective, nonrandomized, descriptive study of a convenience sample of MFT persons.

Methods. All MFT persons had endoscopic and stroboscopic procedures completed. Images were rated on a range of parameters by two experienced voice therapists …

Nsu Lebonte Institute's Continuing Education Series Programs In Communication Sciences And Disorders 1996, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Nova University Center For The Advancement Of Education Schedule Of Classes Master Of Science Program In Speech And Language Pathology 1988–1989, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Nova University Center For The Advancement Of Education Schedule Of Classes Master Of Science Program In Speech And Language Pathology 1986–1987, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Nova University Center For The Advancement Of Education Masters Of Science Program In Speech And Language Pathology Schedule Of Classes 1985–1986, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Nova University Center For Advancement Of Education Master Of Science Program In Speech And Language Pathology Schedule Of Classes 1985–1986, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Some Effects Of Cochlear Implant Use On Loudness Modulation, Carol F. Ross

Dissertations and Theses

In this study, five deaf individuals with cochlear implants were presented with noise that was manipulated systematically, to test the hypothesis that deaf persons using cochlear prostheses will demonstrate intensity regulation of their vocal output that is more appropriate when their implants are turned on than when turned off. The intensity of their vocal output was measured to determine if they demonstrated a Lombard response, that is, a systematic increase in vocal intensity with increasing intensity of background noise. Results from the study were mixed. With implants on, three subjects made systematic increases in vocal intensity with increasing background noise, …

Phonational Frequency Ranges In Vocally Untrained Adults Using Different Cardinal Vowels, Lorie Renee Chambers

Dissertations and Theses

In the clinical management of voice clients, it is important to measure accurate pitch ranges in order to determine if a client has a normal range or is speaking at an optimum pitch. It is not clear from the literature which vowel should be used in determining these pitch ranges. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the phonational frequency ranges in adults with no vocal training when phonating the cardinal vowels of /i/, /u/, and /a/. The investigation sought to answer the following question: Does the phonational frequency range in vocally untrained adults vary significantly when phonating the …

A Voice Incidence Study: Portland, Oregon, Ann Lynn Laskey

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of voice disorders among kindergarten and first-grade students in some schools in Portland, Oregon, during the Fall of 1974. The study was designed to determine the following information: 1) the percentage of voice disorders, 2) the percentage of each type of voice disorder, 3) the severity of each voice disorder, and 4) the percentage of males and of females exhibiting voice disorders.

The essential questions to be answered by the present study were:

1. What is the incidence of voice disorders in a kindergarten and first-grade (approximately five to seven years …

Effects Of Speaker-Sex-Difference On Listeners' Perception Of Vocal Roughness In Normal Vowel Productions, Patsy J. Phillips

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of speaker-sex-difference on listeners' perception of vocal roughness in the vowel [ӕ] produced by normal male and female speakers. In a previous investigation by Wendahl (1963) it was found that when listening to two synthesized vowels, of equal aperiodicity, judges tended to rate the lower pitched vowel as being more vocally rough. If this is true for listeners' perception of human vowel productions as well then it might be advantageous for voice clinicians, when making vocal roughness assessments, to regard male and female speakers as two separate populations in view …

A Study Of The Speech Abilities Of 150 Teacher Credential Candidates, Yvonne Pearson Schoell

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study is aimed at analyzing the speech adequacy of credential candidates. It is hoped that the results will suggest a type of speech training, in terms of a specific course, which will be beneficial to those candidates who are in need of speech help. If what the candidates as a whole seem to need and what they seem to have acquired through speech training is known, a course designed along the lines of these speech needs can be more easily constructed.

In general, this thesis will attempt to answer the following questions: (1) What type of speech training would …