Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

The Elan Event-Related Potential In Children 5 To 12 Years Of Age, Melissa Crandall

Theses and Dissertations

The examination of Event Related Potentials during language processing tasks provides valuable information of how the brain processes language over time. In the current study, the development of the early left anterior negativity (ELAN) was analyzed in young children. Previous research has described the ELAN as a negative waveform elicited during syntactic processing between 200 and 500 ms post linguistic stimuli. Thirty children from 5 to 12 years of age listened to sentences that were linguistically correct, syntactically incorrect, or semantically incorrect. Sentences were presented for right monaural, left monaural, and binaural ear conditions to determine possible differences related to …

Intelligibility Of Electrolarynx Speech Using A Novel Actuator, Brian Madden, Mark Nolan, Ted Burke, James Condron, Eugene Coyle

Conference Papers

During voiced speech, the larynx provides quasi-periodic acoustic excitation of the vocal tract. Following a laryngectomy, some people speak using an electrolarynx which replaces the excitatory function of the absent larynx. Drawbacks of conventional electrolarynx designs include the buzzing monotonic sound emitted, the need for a free hand to operate the device, and difficulty experienced by many laryngectomees in adapting to its use. Despite these shortcomings, it remains the preferred method of speech rehabilitation for a substantial minority of laryngectomees. In most electrolarynxes, mechanical vibrations are produced by a linear electromechanical actuator, the armature of which percusses against a metal …

Language As A Predictor Of Reticence In Children With Language Impairment, Patricia Anne Moses

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between language skills and reticence in 37 children with language impairment (LI) and 37 typically developing peers matched for age (ranging from 6;11 to 10;1 years) and gender. Subtests of the Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language (E. Carrow-Woolfolk, 1999) were used to evaluate language ability. The Teacher Behavior Rating Scale (C. H. Hart & C. C. Robinson, 1996) was used to evaluate reticence. The current study replicated previous research by documenting significantly higher levels of reticence in children with LI when compared to typical peers. Significant group differences were also found in paragraph comprehension, syntax …

Cervical Vascular And Upper Airway Asymmetry In Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome: Correlation Of Nasopharyngoscopy With Mra, Avi G. Oppenheimer, Susan Fulmer, Keivan Shifteh, Ja-Kwei Chang, Allan Brook, Alan L. Shanske, Robert J. Shprintzen

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Purpose

Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), the most common genetic syndrome causing cleft palate, is associated with internal carotid and vertebral artery anomalies, as well as upper airway asymmetry. Medially displaced internal carotid arteries, often immediately submucosal, present a risk of vascular injury during pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). We evaluate the frequency and spectrum of cervical vascular anomalies in a large cohort of VCFS patients correlating MRA with nasopharyngolaryngoscopy in detecting at risk carotid arteries. Furthermore, we assess the relationship with respect to laterality between cervical vascular patterns and the asymmetric abnormalities of these subjects’ upper airways.

Methods

Cervical …

Establishing Normal Psychoacoustic Parameters Using Adaptive Procedures For The Clinical Assessment Of Psychoacoustic Phenomenon, Maria Noelle Burnham

Theses and Dissertations

Masking Level Difference (MLD) tests are an established component of auditory processing test batteries; however, normative data for these tests vary according to procedure. In this study, forty normal, native-English speaking adults between the ages of 18 and 26 were tested for MLD via a newly developed computer software program using both an adaptive procedure (MLDA) and a Bekesy procedure (MLDB). The results from the two procedures were analyzed for sex differences and compared with each other. For both the MLDA and MLDB, the results showed statistically significant sex differences in the masked thresholds used to obtain the MLD (NoSo …

Phonological Development In Hearing Children Of Deaf Parents, Erin N. Toohey

Honors Scholar Theses

Phonological development in hearing children of deaf parents Dr. Diane Lillo-Martin 5/9/2010 The researcher wishes to determine the significance of a unique linguistic environment on the effects of phonological development. The research examines whether 3 hearing children of deaf parents, hereafter referred to as CODAs, have inconsistencies, as compared to children in a typical linguistic environment, in their syllable structure, phonological processes or phonemic inventories. More specifically, the research asks whether their speech is more consistent with children of typical environments or more similar to children with phonological delays or disorders or articulation disorders. After the examination of these three …

Intervention Progress In Two Case Studies Of Childhood Apraxia Of Speech, Laura Marie Czernik

Honors Scholar Theses

There is a great amount of controversy surrounding childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The most prominent issue is focused on the diagnostic criteria of which to utilize for this disorder. Because of this debate, assessment methods, along with intervention techniques, are heavily questioned. This study examines the progress children with characteristics of CAS make during intervention. Furthermore, it seeks to determine if another diagnosis is possible for these children by examining the speech sound errors such children make. Two children with characteristics of CAS were the focus of this study. Data for these children was gathered from client files at …

The Co-Development Of Manual And Vocal Activity In Infants, Holly Meadowsweet Koegler

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Manual and vocal actions in humans are coupled throughout the lifespan, from the anticipatory opening of the mouth as the hand moves to meet it in natal development to the more sophisticated co-expressive gesture of the proficient communicator (Iverson & Thelen, 1999). By adulthood, the systems supporting both speech and manual actions of gesture are so wholly integrated that the expression of both actions together is seamless and effortless (Gentilucci & Nicoladis, 2008). Both systems, though controlled by different muscles moving different articulators, exhibit parallels in their development and organization (Meier & Willerman, 1995). The manual control supporting gesture emerges …

Mothers’ Speech To Infants With And Without Down Syndrome, Christina M. Gary

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Relation Between Two Caregiver Questionnaires About Children’S Early Literacy Experiences, Amy L. Sewell

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Language Production, Comprehension, And Pragmatic Judgment On Solitary-Passive Withdrawal In Children, Rachel Johnston

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies examining withdrawal in children with language impairment (LI) have found that these children are more socially withdrawn than their typically developing peers. It seems reasonable to assume that a causal relationship exists between language deficits and withdrawal. However, there is growing evidence that different subtypes of withdrawal have varying social consequences and language may not be closely linked to each subtype. In the present study, subtests from the Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language (CASL; Carrow-Woolfolk, 1999) were used to evaluate specific language skills and the Teacher Behavior Rating Scale (TBRS; Hart & Robinson, 1996) was used to evaluate …

Sound Pressure Levels Measured At Preferred Listening Levels Of Ipod Users Using Knowles Electronic Manikin For Acoustical Research, Ahmad Brandelle Alexander

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study (1) examined the sound pressure levels (SPLs) of iPod users and nonusers at preferred listening levels measured on Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustical Research (KEMAR), and (2) determined if those SPLs exceeded the OSHA standards for acceptable hearing levels. Forty subjects, divided into one of the four following groups participated in this study: (1) inexperienced males, (2) experienced males, (3) inexperienced females, or (4) experienced females. Each participant was asked to set the music stimuli to their preferred listening level while in the presence of background noise, simulating a real world listening environment. SPL values were then …

The Effects Of Asymmetric Directional Microphone Fittings On Acceptance Of Background Noise, Jong Sik Kim

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of asymmetric directional microphone fittings (i.e., an omnidirectional microphone on one ear and a directional microphone on the other) on speech understanding in noise and acceptance of background noise in 15 full-time hearing aid users. Subjects were fitted binaurally with four directional microphone conditions (i.e., binaural omnidirectional, asymmetric right directional, asymmetric left directional and binaural directional microphones) using Siemens Intuis directional behind-the-ear hearing aids and comply earmolds. The results revealed that speech understanding in noise improved when using asymmetric directional microphones compared to binaural omnidirectional microphone fittings and were not significantly hindered compared to …

Acceptable Noise Levels In Children Ages 10 To 11 Years And 14 To 15 Years, Krystal Sullivan Ware

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study measured acceptance of background noise in 35 children (age 10–11 and 14–15 years) with normal hearing sensitivity. Acceptance of background noise was measured using the acceptable noise level (ANL) procedure. To obtain an ANL, participants' MCL was first obtained using a running story. Then a competing stimulus (i.e., speech babble or speech spectrum noise) was introduced, and the listeners were asked to adjust the level of the background noise to the most he/she could put up with and follow the story for a long period of time. This level was called background noise level or BNL. The …

Dichotic Auditory Training In 6 To 15 Year Olds, Chasity M. Mccrum

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if participants with normal auditory processing skills would improve after receiving the Dichotic Auditory Training (DAT) when compared to a group of normal participants who only received pre- and post-testing. Twenty participants, age 6:0 to 15:11 years, participated in this study. A standard audiological evaluation was completed for each participant. Pretest and posttest were completed that included (1) DAT testing, (2) SCAN-C/A, (3) Staggered Spondaic Word test, and (4) Dichotic Digits (Single/Double). The results were analyzed for statistically significant differences between pre- and post-testing results and between groups. Any significant results …

Subjective Versus Objective Hearing Screening Results Of Rural Elementary School-Aged Children, Meagan Chatelain Mcclure

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study compared the pass/refer results of traditional ASHA recommended hearing screenings to transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and screening tympanometry among young students at a rural, medically underserved population at an elementary school. Sixty-seven students (31 boys and 36 girls) from kindergarten to 3rd grade participated in this study. Ten were Hispanic and had English as a second language. Each child had his/her hearing screened at 500 Hz and by the ASHA recommended method for pure tone screenings and by TEOAEs and DPOAEs. Tympanometry was also performed on 53 students. The results revealed …

Cognitive And Psychiatric Predictors To Psychosis In Velocardiofacial Syndrome: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study, Kevin M. Antshel, Robert J. Shprintzen, Wanda Fremont, Anne Marie Higgins, Stephen V. Faraone, Wendy R. Kates

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Objective: To predict prodromal psychosis in adolescents with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). Method: 70 youth with VCFS, 27 siblings of youth with VCFS and 25 community controls were followed from childhood (Mean age = 11.8 years) into mid-adolescence (mean age 15.0 years). Psychological tests measuring intelligence, academic achievement, learning/memory, attention and executive functioning as well as measures of parent and clinician ratings of child psychiatric functioning were completed at both time point. Results: Major depressive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder diagnoses increased in the VCFS sample. With very low false positive rates, the best predictor of adolescent prodromal …

Formant Changes In Amateur Singers After Instruction In A Vowel Equalization Technique, Emily Mullins Heaton

Theses and Dissertations

Vowel equalization is a technique that can be used by singers to achieve a more balanced vocal tone. The technique balances corresponding front and back vowels, which share approximate tongue heights, and also balances high and low vowels in a more neutral or centralized lingual posture. Formants are resonance peaks that define each specific vowel. This study measured shifts in the first and second formants (F1 and F2) of the vowels /e, i, ɑ, o, u/ following training in vowel equalization. Prior to the training, the vowel formants were measured in amateur 15 college-aged singers. They sang the first two …

The N400 Event-Related Potential In Children Across Sentence Type And Ear Condition, Laurie Anne Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the neurophysiology of semantic language processing in children, ages 5 to 12 years. A well-established marker of semantic processing, the N400 event related potential (ERP), was analyzed within and across child age groups. Child N400s were recorded in response to correct sentences, semantically incorrect sentences, and syntactically incorrect sentences. N400s were also recorded across ear condition to examine potential processing differences. Children across all age groups consistently demonstrated N400s in the semantic error condition. N400s were also regularly observed in the syntactic error condition; especially, for younger children. Younger children also demonstrated N400s even in response to …

Understanding The Role Of Neuroscience In Brain Based Products: A Guide For Educators And Consumers, Lesley Sylvan, Joanna A. Christodoulou

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The term brain based is often used to describe learning theories, principles, and products. Although there have been calls urging educators to be cautious in interpreting and using such material, consumers may find it challenging to understand the role of the brain and to discriminate among brain based products to determine which would be suitable for specific educational goals. We offer a framework for differentiating the multiple meanings of the brain based label and guidelines for educators and consumers to use when evaluating educational products labeled as brain based. The guidelines include: identifying educational goals and target student populations, aligning …