Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

The Duration Of Tinnitus In An Aging Population, Mary Engel

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the perceived severity of chronic tinnitus in a geriatric population increased, decreased, or remained constant with the passage of time. A questionnaire was designed to ascertain the subjects' perceived severity at time of onset and the perceived severity of their current tinnitus. The subjects were asked to rate their past and present tinnitus severity according to how much it bothered them. They were also asked questions pertaining to noise exposure history, hearing aid use, and tinnitus sound parameters for purposes of comparison with other groups previously studied.

Differentially Diagnosing Stuttering In Young Children Using The Stuttering Severity Instrument, Brenda Pekkola Teich

Dissertations and Theses

Young children between the ages of two and six years often exhibit partword, whole word. and phrases repetitions as their language develops. This is also the age range when stuttering most frequently appears. Consequently. speech-language pathologists need diagnostic criteria and evaluation tools to distinguish between the incipient stutterer and the normally disfluent child.

Today a widely used evaluation tool is the Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI) (Riley, 1972, 1980). The SSI is designed to provide a severity level based upon the parameters of frequency. duration. and physical concomitants. Riley (1972) first designed the SSI to not include monosyllabic word repetitions in …

Speech Pathology And Audiology At Western: A Brief History, Charles Van Riper, Frank B. Robinson

Histories of Western Michigan University

This historical telling of Western Michigan University's Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences was written by Dr. Charles Van Riper and Dr. Frank B. Robinson. The brief history describes how Dr. Van Riper built a clinic and developed fledgling profession of speech pathology. Hired in 1936 by Dr. Sangren, Van Riper used his skills as a clinician and as a gifted teacher to recruit students, design courses and acquaint the public with the services offered at a mobile speech clinic. By 1938, the first students majoring in “speech correction” were graduated and employed in public schools. By 1939, the …

The Use Of The California Consonant Test And The Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 In Hearing Aid Evaluations For Individuals With Precipitous Losses Above 1 Khz, Bradley James Allard

Dissertations and Theses

These two joint-studies used recorded versions of the Northwestern University Auditory Test Number 6 (NU-6) and the California Consonant Test (CCT) in the hearing aid evaluations (HAEs) of 12 male and one female subjects, aged 41 to 87 years. They exhibited precipitous high frequency losses beyond 1 kHz in at least one ear. All subjects were evaluated without amplification and while monaurally aided with two conventional high pass hearing aids. Ten of the subjects were evaluated in multi-talker noise and 11 were tested in quiet. Since the CCT was more heavily weighted than the NU-6 with target phonemes sensitive to …

A Comparison Of An Acoustic Stethoscope And An Amplified Stethoscope In White Noise And Cafeteria Noise During Cardiac Auscultation, Lynda Lynell Gigstad

Dissertations and Theses

A basic relationship between stethoscopic auscultation and background noise interference was reviewed and examined in this study. The principle experimental design of the study questioned whether hospital background noise levels are capable of masking the threshold of detection for auscultated heart sounds. Several cited studies monitoring background noise levels in various hospital locations have reported averages exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1974) and World Health Organization (WHO) (1980) recommendations of "quiet", namely 35 to 40 dBA (Falk & Woods, 1973; Hilton, 1985, 1987; Shapiro & Berland, 1972; Turner, et al., 1975; Woods & Falk, 1974) by as much …

Nova University Master's Program On Speech-Language Pathology Catalog 1989–1990, Nova University

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

No abstract provided.

Maternal Linguistic Input To Normal And Expressive Language Delayed Toddlers, Terril Joy Elwood

Dissertations and Theses

Research suggests that the linguistic environment of the expressive language delayed child is different from that of his peers. Does this difference actually exist and if so, what are its characteristics? The purpose of this study was to describe the linguistic characteristics of mothers' input to children with normal language acquisition and those of mothers of expressively delayed toddlers; and to identify any differences between these groups. Though considerable research exists in this area, few studies have dealt specifically with large groups of expressively delayed toddlers.

A Comparative Analysis Of The Expressive Acquisition Of Locative And Directional Prepositions Between Severely-To-Profoundly Hearing Impaired Children Utilizing Total Communication And The Oral/Aural Approach, Cathleen Pew Edwards

Dissertations and Theses

Prepositions are not only important in functional syntax; they also relate meanings associated with the concepts of place and time. Furthermore, prepositions are critical in such everyday activities as producing and comprehending directions, using maps and diagrams, and in the fields of mathematics and music. Inefficient use or misuse of prepositional spatial terms may hinder a child's progress in many areas. Expressive acquisition of function words, which include prepositions, has been described as significantly delayed in the hearing impaired populations.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative preposition analysis between hearing impaired children using two different modes …

A Comparison Of The Time Taken To Administer And Analyze Phonologic And Phonetic Tests, Beverly Alexander

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if the time it takes to complete a phonological test was significantly different than the time it takes to complete a phonetic test. It was hoped this study would identify an instrument that the public school speech-language pathologist could use more effectively and efficiently to analyze phonologically-impaired children.

Frequency Responses Of Hearing Aids Coupled With Fm Auditory Trainers, Robert Bruce Morrison

Dissertations and Theses

This study examined the frequency response characteristics of three behind-the-ear hearing aids alone and in combination with three FM auditory trainers. The hearing aids and FM auditory trainers were coupled using two different methods: direct audio input and personal mini-loop. Also, two different gain control settings were used. Frequency responses were evaluated using a template method specified in ANSI S3.22 1982 standards. A larger percentage of the personal mini-loop combinations failed to meet this ANSI standard as compared to the direct audio input combinations (72.3% vs. 50%). The frequency response curves for various combinations of hearing aids and FM auditory …

Disfluencies In Normal Four-Year-Old Alaska Native And Caucasian Children, Annette Cameron O'Connell

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of occurrence of specific speech disfluencies in 4-year-old Alaska Native children to those of 4-year-old Caucasian children. Specifically, eight disfluency types were investigated: part-word repetition, word repetition, phrase repetition, interjection, revision-incomplete phrase, disrhythmic phonation, tense pause, and intrusive schwa. The questions addressed in the study were:

1. Do 4-year-old Alaska Native children exhibit a higher frequency of disfluencies than 4-year-old Caucasian children?
2. Do 4-year-old Alaska Native children exhibit a greater frequency of specific disfluencies, in terms of part-word repetition, word repetition, phrase repetition, interjection, revision-incomplete phrase, disrhythmic phonation, tense pause, or …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Disfluencies Of Four And Six Year Old Children, Mary B. Cox

Dissertations and Theses

Investigations into the speech of normal children have indicated that disfluencies are common. It is important for the Speech Language Pathologist to have knowledge of normal disfluencies for differential diagnosis, parent counseling, and in order to plan strategies for intervention.

The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of disfluencies in 4 year old and 6 year old normal male children to the frequency of disfluencies when they were 3 years old and 5 years old, respectively.

One year later, eighteen of the twenty normal male children study used in a previous study were reevaluated in this. At …

A Longitudinal Study Of Disfluencies In The Speech Of Normal Preschool Children, Susan Marto Crowell

Dissertations and Theses

The process of differentially diagnosing a child who is experiencing temporary normal disfluency from one who is beginning to stutter could be made objective by the establishment of normative data on fluency development. To date, there are no standardized norms on the development of fluency in children. Current investigations have contributed greatly to expectations of certain types and amounts of disfluencies in preschool-age children. Most of the research, however, has focused on observing children at discrete age levels from 2- to 7-years-of-age. Only one longitudinal study to date has been reported. Additional longitudinal data of preschool-aged children would benefit the …

Normative Data On The Auditory Memory Test Battery For Ages 9 Through 13 Years, Elisabeth Y. Carter

Dissertations and Theses

Auditory short-term memory (STM) is important for speech and language development and for learning new information presented auditorily. Research has shown that auditory STM ability is of a developmental nature in the 5 through 8 year age range for a variety of auditory stimuli. Many tests and subtests are available to measure auditory STM ability, however one test, the Auditory Memory Test Battery (AMTB) measures auditory memory span and memory for sequence for 5 types of stimuli.

The purpose of this study was to collect normative data on the AMTB scores of normal 9 through 13 year old students and …

Naive Listener Judgments Of Esophageal Air Intake Noise Acceptability, Janet Gordon Daucsavage

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the judgments by naive listeners of the acceptability of esophageal air intake noise and compare those ratings to their judgments of overall esophageal speech proficiency. The primary question this study sought to answer was: Are naive listener judgments of overall esophageal speech proficiency significantly correlated with naive listener judgments of esophageal air intake noise acceptability? The secondary question asked was: Are naive listener acceptability judgments of air intake noise significantly correlated with sophisticated listener acceptability judgments of air intake noise?

The Output Of Compression Hearing Aids With A Transient Input Signal, Michael Andrew Berg

Dissertations and Theses

The output characteristics of five compression hearing aids in response to a transient signal were examined to determine if, the input-output function (i.e. output levels of the hearing aid as a function of input level) for a transient signal could be made to approximate that of a continuous signal, by activating the compression circuit with a second signal (activator). Input-output functions for three input compression and two output compression hearing aids were obtained in order to determine if: 1. the automatic gain control (AGC) was activated by the second signal and the transient signal output approximates that of a continuous …

Effects Of Intervention On The Ability Of Students With Hearing Impairments To Write Personal Narrative Stories, Beth L. Miller

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine whether students with hearing impairments could be taught to write more mature personal narrative stories. An experimental group of junior high students received intervention focused on teaching the elements of story grammar and their application to the students' written narrative stories. A matched control group of students spent equal time with the researcher and received intervention focused on improvement of basic language skills. Pretest, posttest-1, posttest-2, and generalization samples were taken. Students' metatextual skills for telling how to write a story were also probed.

A significant difference was found between the experimental and control …

An Investigation Of The Effect Of Using Varying Stimuli To Assess Normal Children's Comprehension Of Five Locative Prepositions, Kathleen G. Versteeg

Dissertations and Theses

A recurring concern in recent research appears to be the role that assessment variables play in accurately measuring children's knowledge and use of prepositions. Age and order of acquisition of prepositions has become a dynamic rather than static standard, as different ways of assessing prepositions also give different results. These researchers have investigated assessment variables such as context (picture, object, no context) and response (self actions, manipulating, pointing) in assessing normal children's understanding and use of prepositions. Most have considered these variables separately, but a few have contrasted a limited number of variables with significant results for some age groups. …

Communications Connection - Summer 1988, Nova University

Communications Connection

No abstract provided.

Communication And Socialization Profiles In Toddlers With Expressive Language Delay, Shawn Spangle-Looney

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare expressive communication, receptive communication, and socialization achievement in 18- to 34-month-old ELD toddlers to the same skills in normally-speaking children. The questions this study sought to answer were, how do the three skill areas in ELD toddlers compare with the same skills in normal toddlers?, will ELD subjects evidence specific profiles of deficits involving not only expressive but receptive and social skills as well? and, within the ELD subjects will two subgroups emerge, one group having poor expressive skills only, and a second group having deficits in addition to expression.

A Comparison Of Three Methods For Measuring The Attenuation Provided By Insert-Type Hearing-Protective Devices, Lois Jeanne Gaier

Dissertations and Theses

To effectively implement an occupational hearing conservation program, employers must know the amount of attenuation (noise reduction) provided by the hearing protective devices used by their employees. Currently standardized test methods, performed under laboratory conditions, cannot be easily implemented in industrial settings, and previously proposed field methods have depended upon the use of special headphones which are not typically available in the workplace. These problems have led many occupational hearing conservationists to use standard audiometric headphones to evaluate the attenuation provided to employees using insert-type hearing-protective devices. There has, however, been little research into the validity of using standard audiometric …

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 Advancement Of Education 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.

A Study Of The Capability Of The Computerized Visi-Pitch When Investigating Prosodic Features Of Motherese, Denise Leslie Clemens

Dissertations and Theses

With commercial availability of non-real and real-time spectrum analyzers, the speech-language pathologist has the means to objectively extract and measure pitch taken from speech samples. Though both types of spectrum analyzers provide the clinician with viable methods of measuring fundamental frequency and frequency range values, pitch extraction using real time allows for greater efficiency in acoustic measurements. The Kay Elemetrics Visi-Pitch is one such real-time spectrum analyzer that is less expensive and more accessible than other real time speech science hardware. The purpose of this study was to investigate the capability of a computerized Visi-Pitch to reflect elevation of fundamental …

The Effects Of Unilateral Brain Damage On Analogical Reasoning By Stroke Patients, Letitia Lynn Gillespie

Masters Theses

This study examined the ability of individuals with unilateral left hemisphere damage (LHD) and right hemisphere damage (RHD) to complete multiple modality analogy tasks. Four groups, for a total of 46 subjects--12 LHD patients, 8 RHD patients, 20 child control subjects, and 6 adult control subjects--performed word, figure, and picture analogies. The combined non brain damaged control groups performed significantly better than the combined brain damaged experimental groups on the combined analogy tasks. No significant difference was found between the LHD and RHD groups on the combined analogy tasks. The modalities of analogical reasoning tasks did not differentially affect the …

The Differential Role Of The Ssi With Normal Preschool Children, Caroline Joy Semler

Dissertations and Theses

The onset of stuttering usually occurs between two and six years which is the same time most children exhibit normal disfluencies often making it difficult to differentiate between normally disfluent children and incipient stutterers. Clinicians need information on the types and frequencies of disfluencies exhibited by normal preschool children in order to determine if a child is more likely to be an incipient stutterer or normally disfluent child. Some clinicians feel uncomfortable relying on past literature since there is a limited amount of information available and the studies have shown a considerable amount of variability in the types and frequencies …

Disfluencies In Normal Three-Year-Old And Five-Year-Old Male Children, Pamela Paguia Christianson

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of specific disfluencies in 3 year old and 5 year old normal male children in terms of part-word repetitions, word repetitions, phrase repetitions, interjections, revision-incomplete phrases, disrhythmic phonations and tense pauses. The disfluencies were observed while each child spontaneously interacted with an investigator in a clinical room. Two questions were addressed:

1. Do three-year-old male children exhibit a higher overall frequency of disfluencies than five-year-old male children?
2. Do three-year-old male children exhibit a greater frequency of certain disfluencies than five-year old male children?

A Comparison Of The Expressive Speech Of Profoundly Hearing-Impaired Children : "Hearing Aids On" Versus "Hearing Aids Off", James Allen Henry

Dissertations and Theses

This investigation was conducted to determine whether the removal of hearing aids from these children for eighteen hours (+ 1/2 hour and including sleep time) would result in reduced speech intelligibility as perceived by a panel of listening judges who were unfamiliar with the speech of the deaf.

Data On The Ppvt-R For Black Kindergarteners, Christy Gail Stocks

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to obtain data from the PPVT-R scores of low and middle SES black kindergartners in the Portland area to determine if there is a difference between their scores and the scores reported in the PPVT-R. The primary question to be answered was do the scores of black kindergartners in Portland vary significantly dependent upon SES? The secondary questions this study sought to answer were: what are the means, standard deviations, and ranges of scores for black kindergartners in Portland and what are the means, standard deviations, and ranges for each two-month age group of …

Discontinuities In Normal 30 To 36 Month Old And 54 To 60 Month Old Female Children, Shelley Louise Arnold-Cockburn

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of occurrence of specific discontinuities in 30 to 36 month old normal female children to normal 54 to 60 month old female children. Specifically, the discontinuities were categorized as follows: part word repetitions, whole word repetitions, and false starts. The discontinuities were observed while the child spontaneously interacted with an investigator in a clinical room.

The following questions were addressed:

1. Do 30 to 36 month old normal female children differ in their total frequency of specific discontinuities when compared to normal 54 to 60 month old female children?
2. Do 30 …