Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

The Development Of Speech-Language Pathologists’ Counseling Self-Efficacy, Audrey Scott, Laura Plexico, Mary J. Sandage, Allison M. Plumb

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this investigation was to understand, from the perspective of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), what factors contribute to the essential structure of the experience of SLPs with low perceived counseling self-efficacy (CSE), the factors that contribute to the essential structure of the experience of SLPs with high perceived CSE, and how SLPs can transition from lower to higher perceived CSE. Ten female speech-language pathologists participated in interviews to discuss their counseling experiences and the development of their personal SLP CSE. The interviews were divided into 982 meaning units. The meaning units were categorized to determine the recurring themes contributing …

Better, Faster, Stronger: Outcomes Of A Language Sample Transcription And Coding Training Study, Diane A. Ogiela, Sarah A. Aldrich

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Although language sample analysis (LSA) is considered an important tool for high-quality child language assessment, surveys have found that its use is quite limited by school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Two of the reasons often cited are limited time and limited expertise (Kemp & Klee, 1997; Pavelko et al., 2016). This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of a language sample training program on SLP students’ accuracy, efficiency, and confidence with language sample transcription and coding. Upper-division SLP undergraduates and graduate students participated in a self-paced language sample training and practice program. Participants completed online language transcription and coding training and …

Knowledge And Perceptions Of Slp Graduate Students Regarding Multiculturalism, Evy Jewell Hayes, Laura Amanda Mathews

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Populations in the United States rise daily, as do the number of people who are considered multicultural. With this comes a greater need for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who are able to assess and treat such individuals – a training process that begins in graduate programs. The primary objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of graduate students in speech-language pathology as it pertains to multiculturalism. A survey was conducted to explore graduate students’ knowledge and perceptions of multicultural topics. Participants were recruited from programs in the southeastern United States via email. Just under 400 surveys were …

Can The Use Of Art And Active Learning Improve Retention And Observational Skill Confidence Among Audiology Graduate Students, Aurora Weaver, Ashlyn Wheat, Travis Riffle, Chelsea Powell, Lindsey Leonard, Ryleigh Prickett, Anna Hill, Larry Molt

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Human anatomy and physiology is considered one of the most difficult courses a student can take in a pre-health professional major in the US (Slominski, et. al., 2017). Research has revealed benefits of the use of art and anatomy within medical education, including improved clinical observational skills, greater understanding of disease and patient perspectives, and greater ability to empathize (Bell & Evans, 2014). Bell and Evans (2014) argue that observational skills are often overlooked in medical education. Use of art assignments in a graduate anatomy and physiology course will be discussed with reference to design and learning outcomes. The purpose …

Student Perceptions Of Reading Preparation And Textbook Use In Professional Allied Health Programs, Laura Stimler, Camille Skubik-Peplaski, Melba G. Custer, Shirley P. O'Brien

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: In professional allied health education, textbooks are central to developing course content, student learning and certification exams, but little is known about the graduate student’s perspective. This study was intended to describe current trends in graduate students’ point of view, habits and opinions related to buying and using textbooks and other resources in allied health education. Methods: This was a multi-site collaborative research project. An electronic survey was developed to gather data on student habits and perspectives regarding textbook preferences including digital texts, academic reading, exam preparation, and obtaining course materials. The survey was distributed across four academic institutions. …

Factors Affecting The Use Of Vestibular/Balance Screening Measures In Audiologists And Physical Therapists In Patients Reporting Dizziness, Alexandria W. Greene, Ashley G. Flagge, Nicholas S. Stanley

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Vestibular/balance screeners can improve the efficiency of the diagnostic process. Despite prior literature illustrating the importance of screeners, research suggests that many professionals do not utilize screening protocols. Methods: Thirty-two audiologists and thirty-four physical therapists completed an electronic survey with questions regarding the use of screeners and the referral process. The survey examined variables surrounding the use of vestibular/balance screeners among audiologists and physical therapists, including frequency of use, commonly used screeners, and factors affecting the use or non-use of screeners. Results: Physical therapists utilized vestibular/balance screeners statistically more often and used a larger variety of screeners compared to …

Objective Discrimination Of Bimodal Speech Using Frequency Following Responses, Can Xu, Fan-Yin Cheng, Sarah Medina, Erica Eng, René Gifford, Spencer Smith

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Bimodal hearing, in which a contralateral hearing aid is combined with a cochlear implant (CI), provides greater speech recognition benefits than using a CI alone. Factors predicting individual bimodal patient success are not fully understood. Previous studies have shown that bimodal benefits may be driven by a patient's ability to extract fundamental frequency (f0) and/or temporal fine structure cues (e.g., F1). Both of these features may be represented in frequency following responses (FFR) to bimodal speech. Thus, the goals of this study were to: 1) parametrically examine neural encoding of f0 and F1 in simulated bimodal speech conditions; 2) examine …

Neural Correlates Of Individual Differences In Speech-In-Noise Performance In A Large Cohort Of Cochlear Implant Users, Joel I. Berger, Phillip E. Gander, Subong Kim, Adam T. Schwalje, Jihwan Woo, Young Min Na, Ann Holmes, Jean M. Hong, Camille C. Dunn, Marlan R. Hansen, Bruce J. Gantz, Bob Mcmurray, Timothy D. Griffiths, Inyong Choi

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Objectives: Understanding speech-in-noise (SiN) is a complex task that recruits multiple cortical subsystems. Individuals vary in their ability to understand SiN. This cannot be explained by simple peripheral hearing profiles, but recent work by our group (Kim et al. 2021, Neuroimage) highlighted central neural factors underlying the variance in SiN ability in normal hearing (NH) subjects. The present study examined neural predictors of SiN ability in a large cohort of cochlear-implant (CI) users. Design: We recorded electroencephalography in 114 postlingually deafened CI users while they completed the California consonant test: a word-in-noise task. In many subjects, data were also collected …

The Directional Effect Of Target Position On Spatial Selective Auditory Attention, Heesung Park

Dissertations, 2020-current

Spatial selective auditory attention plays a crucial role in listening in a mixture of competing speech sounds. Previous neuroimaging studies have reported alpha band neural activity modulated by auditory attention, along with the alpha lateralization corresponding to attentional focus. A greater cortical representation of the attended speech envelope compared to the ignored speech envelope was also found, a phenomenon known as 'neural speech tracking’. However, little is known about the neural activities when attentional focus is directed on speech sounds from behind the listener, even though understanding speech from behind is a common and essential aspect of daily life. The …

Increasing Pediatric Hearing Aid Use: Considerations For Clinical Practice, Karen Muñoz, Kali Markle, Guadalupe G. San Miguel, Michael P. Twohig

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Faculty Publications

Purpose: Hearing aid use can be variable for young children, and inconsistent wear time can undermine spoken language development. This study explored the effectiveness of hearing aid data logging (DL) awareness and coaching sessions on increasing hours of hearing aid use. We also collected qualitative data on challenges participants experienced managing hearing aid use.

Method: We used a single-subject design that included three conditions, during a 6-week period, in the same order for each participant. Condition A was baseline, Condition B was DL monitoring alone, and Condition C was remote coaching calls plus DL monitoring.

Results: Hours of hearing aid …

Services Provided To Aging Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: Survey Of Speech Language Pathologists, Claire H. Gatewood

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

Purpose: The present study explored current speech-language pathology service provision for aging individuals with intellectual disabilities in the United States, including areas and domains of services, factors restricting service provision, and reported knowledge and confidence of individuals within the field of speech-language pathology in providing services, to identify possible gaps of service and needed improvement.

Methods: Participants (n = 272) from across the United States completed an online survey to gather descriptive information about current speech-language pathology service provision for aging individuals with intellectual disabilities. Participants were recruited through state speech-language hearing associations and universities with speech-language pathology clinics …

Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: Examining The Perspectives Of Survivors And Speech-Language Pathologists, Patricia Lynn Geels

Dissertations

Scientific advancements have led to significant improvements in cancer treatment and increased survival rates. However, cancer survivors often experience long-term effects, including cognitive impairments known as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). CRCI is a common and distressing side effect that affects affected individuals’ quality of life. The discipline of speech-language pathology (SLP) is well-positioned to assess and treat CRCI. Still, there is a gap in determining the most effective support for cancer survivors with CRCI. This mixed methods, three-paper dissertation implements exploratory, cross-sectional survey design to examine how speech-language pathologists and survivors view CRCI symptoms, its impact on daily functioning, and …

The Effect Of Visual Feedback On Vocal Compensation Abilities In Individuals With Post-Stroke Aphasia, Marissa Rylee Olson

Theses and Dissertations

Speech production is a complex and highly organized process comprised of various sensory and perceptual components. Post-stroke aphasia can impair speech production abilities by interrupting individuals’ ability to detect and correct speech errors and produce their targeted behavior. Contemporary models of speech production aim to understand the relationship between sensory systems and the human ability to produce perceptually accurate speech. This study seeks to understand the relationship between visual feedback and vocal compensation abilities in individuals with post-stroke aphasia to determine the effectiveness of incorporating visual feedback into therapeutic expressive language intervention. It was hypothesized that that the multi-sensory experimental …

Neural Mechanisms Related To The Enhanced Auditory Selective Attention Following Neurofeedback Training: Focusing On Cortical Oscillations, Hwan Shim, Leah Gibbs, Karsyn Rush, Jusung Ham, Subong Kim, Sungyoung Kim, Inyong Choi

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Selective attention can be a useful tactic for speech-in-noise (SiN) interpretation as it strengthens cortical responses to attended sensory inputs while suppressing others. This cortical process is referred to as attentional modulation. Our earlier study showed that a neurofeedback training paradigm was effective for improving the attentional modulation of cortical auditory evoked responses. However, it was unclear how such neurofeedback training improved attentional modulation. This paper attempts to unveil what neural mechanisms underlie strengthened auditory selective attention during the neurofeedback training paradigm. Our EEG time–frequency analysis found that, when spatial auditory attention was focused, a fronto-parietal brain network was activated. …

The Effect Of Genetic Taste Status On Swallowing: A Literature Review, Theresa S. Lee, Angela M. Dietsch, Rana H. Damra, Rachel W. Mulheren

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose

Swallowing and taste share innervation pathways and are crucial to nutritive intake. Individuals vary in their perception of taste due to factors such as genetics; however, it is unclear to what extent genetic taste status influences swallowing physiology and function. The purpose of this review article is to provide background on genetic taste status, review the evidence on the association between genetic taste status and swallowing, and discuss research and clinical implications.

Method

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using search terms related to swallowing and genetic taste status. Studies were included if they investigated the main effect of …

The Correlation Between Bilingual Children’S Self-Reported Language Proficiency And Their Scores On Dual-Language Standardized Assessments, Andrea Elise Vargas

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to evaluate the relation between bilingual Spanish-English speaking children’s self-reported language proficiencies and bilingual experiences and their scores on norm-referenced standardized dual-language assessments. Additionally, the relation between bilingual children’s self-reported language proficiencies and bilingual experiences and parent reports of children’s Spanish and English input and output was examined. The Houston Questionnaire, a novel tool designed to provide insight into bilingual children’s self-perceptions of language proficiencies and experiences, was administered to gather such information for this study. A sample of bilingual children local to Columbia, South Carolina completed a battery of dual-language standardized assessments in kindergarten, and then …

Academic Impacts Of Intergenerational Trauma: Assessing The Relationship Between Ace Scores Of Parents And The Language And Literacy Development Of Their Elementary-Aged Children, Paige Lee Banaszak

Theses and Dissertations

This paper contributes to the current literature by investigating factors that may contribute to language and literacy difficulty among children, to support the future development of effective intervention techniques. The data analyzed in this paper was collected from children and families participating in Reach Every Reader, a research study currently being conducted to improve literacy outcomes in the U.S. by developing a computer-adaptive screening assessment tool to identify children at risk for language and literacy difficulties early in their educational development. Children enrolled in kindergarten through third grade completed tasks that target language and literacy skills, and their parent(s) completed …

Speech-Language Pathologists And Disaster Management: Team Roles, Rebecca I. Estes, Heather Berto, Hope Brew, Sophia Cadet, Kolbi L. Holmes, Leah G. Horst, Annie J. Mehl, Gina M. Delgado, Steven P. Vertz

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Disaster management is a topic that is multi-faceted and intricately maintained by professionals who volunteer their expertise and time to assist those who have been affected by an unforeseen disaster. Creating a well-rounded and effective team is of immense importance during disaster situations. Speech-language pathologists can provide vital skills in the realm of communication, feeding, and other areas. However, the role of speech language pathologists within the disaster management team is not well documented in the literature. The purpose of the study was to identify awareness, involvement, and training of speech language pathologists in disaster management stages through exploration …

Sound-Category Learning And Memory Skills In Neurotypical Adults And Adults With Language-Learning Disabilities, Allison Fulcher

University Honors Theses

This study evaluates the impact of memory skills (procedural, declarative, and working) and sound discrimination abilities, on the ability of adults with and without Language Learning Disability (LLD) to learn two sound-category structures, one designed to be learned implicitly and the other designed to be learned explicitly. This design tests a theorized etiology for LLD, the Procedural Deficit Hypothesis (PDH), which posits that LLD is caused by selective impairments to procedural memory and implicit learning. It also serves to evaluate factors and conditions that contribute to success in second-language learning for adults, who are less neurologically suited to the task …

Ultrasound Visual Biofeedback Training For Speech Language Pathology Students: A Single Case Design, Ahmed Rivera Campos, Jyl Ristau

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This study examined the effectiveness of an ultrasound visual biofeedback (UVB) training on speech-language pathology (SLP) students’ assessment of sonographic tongue configuration. This study examined the presence of a functional relation between an ultrasound visual biofeedback (UVB) training within the Participatory Adult Teaching Strategy framework and speech-language pathology (SLP) students’ assessment of sonographic tongue configuration. Method: This study employed a multiple baseline, single-case design across participants and behaviors for data collection and analysis. Four graduate and three undergraduate level SLP students participated. Results: Percentage of goal obtained indicated that training was effective across participants and behaviors for teaching SLP students …

Structured Ethics Education In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Jennifer N. Gaylord, Stephanie M. Schaaf, Laura Liljequist, Kristie Guffey Ed.D.

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This investigation compared the effect of ethics training embedded within a curriculum to structured ethics training regarding the ethics knowledge and self-reported comfort levels of first-year graduate students in speech-language pathology. Two equal, non-randomized groups of participants completed an ethics test and survey at three different times over the course of the investigation. The test and survey were administered prior to and after structured ethics training and ethics training embedded within the curriculum. The results of this study showed a significant difference in ethics knowledge after completion of the structured ethics training module for both groups. After receiving structured ethics …

Student Preferences For Active Learning And Their Beliefs, Experiences, And Knowledge, Tammy Shilling, Jerome Thayer, Anneris Coria-Navia, Heather Ferguson

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Active teaching methods are believed to facilitate higher-order thinking skills and prepare allied health students for independent clinical decision-making. This quantitative, correlational study aimed to explain the relationships between student preferences for active over traditional methods and their beliefs, the frequency and positiveness of their experiences, and the extent of knowledge they have received regarding active and traditional teaching methods. Two hundred and thirty students completed a 53-item online survey. Students were enrolled in a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Masters in Speech-language Pathology, or Bachelor of Science Nursing program in one of seventeen participating institutions across a ten-state Midwest region. …

Enriching Pre-Clinical Education With Near-Peer Learning Experiences, Alisha P. Springle, Danika L. Pfeiffer, Corrin Gillis

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the outcomes of two instructional methodologies (traditional and peer-assisted learning; PAL) used in a clinical methods course for undergraduate speech-language pathology (SLP) students. The sample included 53 undergraduate SLP students (near-peer learners) as well as 27 graduate SLP students and 7 clinical fellows (near-peer tutors). Traditional instruction was used during the first half of the course and PAL was added during the second half. The undergraduate SLP students’ weekly written reflections and grades (mid-term and final) were collected for analysis. Students demonstrated a preference for peer- and near-peer learning experiences …

Use Of A Standardized Tracheostomy Patient Simulation To Evaluate Student Clinical Communication Skills, Amanda Stead, Jordan Tinsley, Kerry Mandulak, Paul Michael, Helene Deiner

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Simulation is a valid pedagogical tool used to teach students, observe student clinical skills, and to assess clinical competencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of medical speech-language pathology placements required graduate programs to re-examine clinical training. Simulation has proven useful in providing an alternative and safe learning modality. Standardized patients, which are one simulation modality, provide increased standardization and higher fidelity than medical manikins. This is particularly true in the context of both student learning and demonstration of clinical communication skills (CCS) within a simulated learning environment where the simulated patient can interact authentically with the student clinician. CCS …

Cognitive Processes Used By Graduate Students During Case-Based Aac Assessment And Intervention Think-Aloud Tasks, Allison M. Sauerwein, Jennifer J. Thistle

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Think-alouds are a validated data collection method that have been used across disciplines in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Scholarly teachers in CSD can use think-alouds to uncover the cognitive processes students use when completing case-based learning assignments. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe graduate students’ thought processes when planning for AAC assessment and intervention during think-aloud tasks. A total of 19 CSD graduate students were given cases and completed think-alouds in groups while planning for AAC assessment and intervention. Students’ think-alouds were recorded, transcribed, and then coded using the revised Bloom’s taxonomy. All groups …

A Survey Of Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Students' Perceptions Of Critical Appraisal Skills, Amanda S. Mahoney, Kendrea L. Garand, Erin G. Lundblom

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Research shows that prerequisite courses prepare students for participation in more challenging coursework and more advanced future learning. Despite being a field that heavily relies on research evidence to inform clinical decisions as part of evidence-based practice, many undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorder (CSD) programs do not include prerequisite undergraduate coursework dedicated to research methods. The purpose of the present study was to explore speech-language pathology and audiology graduate students’ experiences with and opinions about critical appraisal of research articles. A total of 201 graduate students from institutions nationwide completed an online survey with questions related to exposure to research …

Establishing Cueing Skills When Treating Bilingual Speech Sound Disorders, Carlos D. Irizarry-Pérez, Mirza J. Lugo-Neris, Andrea Martinez-Fisher

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: This study sought to train cueing skills in first-year graduate students when working with bilingual children with speech sound disorders to ensure fidelity of intervention of a larger research investigation.

Method: Before explicitly training cueing skills, three students were randomly assigned bilingual clients that had been previously diagnosed with a speech sound disorder and asked to administer trial therapy. During the instructional phase, we gave students a cueing protocol, a scoring template, and feedback. We assessed performance according to challenge-point criteria and adherence to our cueing protocol.

Results: Performance varied per student, but overall scores were higher during the …

“Same But Different”: The Role And Perceptions Of The Simulation Clinical Educator, Bronwyn Davidson, Simone Howells, Rachel Davenport, Sue Mcallister, Emma Caird, Danielle Aldridge, Adriana Penman, Sally Hewat, Joanne Walters, Elizabeth Cardell, Patricia Mccabe, Alison Purcell, Elizabeth Ward, Stacey Baldac, Anne E. Hill

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Simulated learning programs are an important component of allied health education. Although the role of simulation clinical educators has been highlighted as critical for student learning within simulation, their perceptions of their role have not yet been investigated. This study aimed to explore the experiences of simulation clinical educators. Participants were ten simulation clinical educators who had supported speech-language pathology students’ learning during a 5-day simulation program focussed on speech-language pathology practice with adult clients in acute hospital and rehabilitation settings. Educators participated in individual semi-structured interviews exploring their role and their perceptions of the simulation-based learning program. Data were …

Barriers To Optimal Audiological Care For Members Of The Deaf Community, Joyce Orenshein

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background:

The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers to optimal audiological care for members of the Deaf community from the perspectives of Deaf individuals compared to audiologists. The goal is to help bridge the clinical communication barriers that lie between audiologists and the Deaf community by identifying the perceived gaps in care specifically and by gathering suggestions for improvement. A survey was administered to both audiologists and members of the Deaf community, making the present study unique and essential in that responses from both communities are compared and suggestions for bridging the gap are made.

Methods …

Caring For Individuals Who Are Experiencing Homelessness: An Audiologist’S Toolkit, Jenna Marie Sparacio

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

National-level counts for individuals experiencing homelessness have been steadily on the rise. People experiencing homelessness face extraordinary barriers and challenges in accessing health care services, including hearing healthcare. Additionally, there is a high prevalence of self- reported hearing difficulties and hearing handicap among people experiencing homelessness. Hearing loss status and management is often not prioritized in healthcare settings, and treatment plans are not typically modified to best address the hearing needs of individuals who are homeless. This evidence-based toolbox for audiologists was developed to help understand and mediate healthcare barriers that people experiencing homelessness face, as well as to help …