Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

The Perceptions Of Psychologists And Speech-Language Pathologists On Intervention Methods For Selective Mutism, Abby Olmstead

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: This is a study done to evaluate the perceptions of speech-language pathologists, psychologists/licensed professional counselors and their thoughts on selective mutism intervention. These thoughts will be gathered and analyzed to be compared to speech-language pathologists perceptions to see if there are differences. The goal is to be able to see the overall most-shared opinion to better be able to understand the intervention involving selective mutism. Selective Mutism (SM) is a rare disorder as only 1% of the population is diagnosed with it. The purpose is to provide more education on the disorder and help various kinds of professionals better …

Exploring Asynchronous Pronunciation Training Through Context-Aware Pronunciation Applications, Claire L. Schweikert

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This paper provides a survey of various research articles on context-aware asynchronous pronunciation training applications. First, a set of seven articles is reviewed and summarized. Next, they are synthesized over the three main topics of 1) automated speech recognition, 2) non-native speaker considerations in language learning, and 3) future directions for research and development within computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT). Research in the areas of acoustic and pronunciation modeling (both implicit and explicit), pedagogical considerations for CAPT application design, Goodness of Pronunciation algorithm scoring, accent recognition and neutralization, and more are discussed.

Dementia Of The Alzheimer’S Type In Adults With Down Syndrome: Knowledge Among Graduate Students In Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, And Speech-Language Pathology., Abigail Regan Donaway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental study utilized a convenience sample (N = 322) to investigate graduate students in physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology’ s (SLP) knowledge of the connection between Down syndrome and dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). Ninety-two-point-five percent of participants were female, and 79.80% were white. All participants completed a survey comprised of items relating to information about general knowledge (i.e. facts) of the association between DS and DAT, the signs/symptoms that occur in each stage of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type for people with Down syndrome, and familiarity regarding the diagnosis and care. Descriptive and …

Tongue-Tie: Impact On Oropharyngeal Function During Swallow., Kolbie A. Vincent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Swallowing is an intricate process involving over 50 muscle pairs and numerous nerves, with dysphagia resulting from deficits in various stages (Hennessy & Goldenberg, 2016). Lingual restriction may adversely impact swallowing function, affecting bolus preparation, size, and overall efficiency. Tongue-tie can pose challenges to speech, chewing, and swallowing (Becker & Mendez, 2022; Chaubal et al, 2011; García-Pola, M. J., et al., 2002). This pilot study seeks to determine how tongue-tie affects swallowing function in an adult male, and whether surgical revision of a submucosal lingual tether leads to measurable changes in oropharyngeal swallow function. Results showed inconsistent changes in diameter …

Funding Mechanisms For School Aged Children Who Qualify For Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Hailey Johnson

Senior Honors Projects

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices are used by individuals of all developmental ages who have difficulties with speech. Those who qualify to use an AAC device are able to practice independence, communicate their needs, and are able to engage in more opportunities where conversation with spoken communication is necessary. This comprehensive review of AAC within the school-aged population provides a detailed look at their overall use within the public school setting, and the funding mechanisms available to users and their families for these expensive devices. Interviews with a Speech and Language Pathologist, and a parent of a child with …

Intersectionality And The Experience Of Stuttering For Latinos In The U.S., Carolina Beita-Ell

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In research, intersectionality seeks to explore, reflect on, and validate variations in human experience. This study adopted an intersectional approach when contemplating the experience of stuttering for individuals living in the U.S. who identified as Latinx (Latino/Latina/Hispanic). Nine Latinx people who stutter (PWS) - six reported their gender as ‘male’ and three reported their gender as ‘female’, with a mean age of 41, from five U.S. states and Washington, D.C. - participated in the study. A mixed methods design, which consisted of semi-structured interviews conducted online using videoconferencing technology and an online survey that contained three quantitative measures as well …

Ototoxicity Monitoring Protocols For Common Chemotherapeutics, Megan Pamela Kennedy

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Cancer is a major public health concern and is increasingly prevalent worldwide. Sung et al. (2021) states that there were 19.3 million new cases of cancer across the globe, and almost 10 million deaths related to cancer in 2021. Sung et al. (2021) also notes that the United States accounts for 8% of all global cases, with an average of 1.7 million new cases annually. The top five most common adult cancers in the United States include: (1) breast, (2) prostate, (3) lung and bronchus, (4) colorectal, and (5) invasive melanoma of the skin. These cancers can be treated with …

Evaluating Auditory Processing In Adolescents And Adults Following A Sports-Related Concussion, Kelsey Danielle Kiesz

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Sports-related concussions (SRCs) have gained increasing attention in recent years due to the long-lasting effects. While concussions have been extensively studied, the impact on auditory processing in adolescents and adults remains an under-evaluated area within audiology. This gap in research is noteworthy as audiologists are well-positioned to conduct auditory processing disorder (APD) testing, and post-concussion auditory deficits fall within the scope of their practice. This study addresses the lack of consensus on concussion definitions, limited accurate prevalence data, and the absence of guidelines for assessing auditory processing in post-concussion individuals in the audiology field. The research aims to provide a …

Otitis Media: Parental Perspectives And Support Needs, Jordan Marie Johnson

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Otitis media (OM) is an infection located within the middle ear space of the auditory system and is the most common cause of hearing loss in children. Hearing loss is the disruption of the perception of an auditory signal and is further classified as conductive, sensorineural, or conductive. The effect of hearing loss can also depend on the severity, time of onset, stability, and etiology. Impairment in auditory function is linked with poorer speech and language development, educational tasks, psychosocial skills, and quality of life. Therefore, identification of hearing loss in children should be done in a timely manner to …

The Effect Of Socioeconomic Status On Adult Access To Hearing Aids, Skyler Preston Mumford

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Approximately 430 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss. With Americans over the age of 65 earning a mean annual salary of less than $60,000 and the cost of a pair of hearing aids exceeding $4000, attempting to pursue hearing aids can prove to be challenging, if not an impossible task. The purpose of this project was to assess how individuals with hearing loss, above the age of majority, are impacted by their socioeconomic status with regard to accessing properly fit amplification. Evidence has shown that access to hearing aids is strongly tied to one’s socioeconomic status. In addition, there …

Parkinson's Disease And Voice Perception: A Little Bit Louder Now!, Samantha Manes, Taylor Desimone

Graduate Student Research: Capstone Competition

This proposed study aims to address gaps in research literature on Parkinson’s disease by investigating the neural mechanisms involved in PD patients' perception of volume using electroencephalography (EEG). By examining brain activity during voice perception tasks, the research seeks to uncover specific areas within the brain that may contribute to the lack of awareness of speaking softly. Insights gained from this study could inform the development of targeted interventions to improve communication and overall quality of life for PD patients. Ultimately, the research aims to provide a louder voice to those affected by Parkinson's disease, enhancing their ability to engage …

Foster Children Facing Communication Disorders, Ashlyn Carter

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

The foster care system is alarmingly overpopulated, which leads to many foster children experiencing neglect of care in many issues they face, whether medical, speech, or mental conditions; which is unacceptable. These children already face so many trials and difficulties throughout life and deserve to receive care and treatment in these situations the same as any other child. The purpose of this research is to work to make sure children who are dealing with speech and communication disorders are having those issues recognized, being taken to treatment, and being given the opportunity to fix these things, thus helping to avoid …

How Engaged Are Infants And Toddlers While Picture Book Reading?, Zoe Lawless

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Literacy is a very important skill that begins to be acquired at birth. Most children start to develop pre-literacy skills by being read to by their parents or other adults around them. Being read aloud to can occur at many different ages and can start as early as infancy. As children grow, they interact and engage with books in different ways. This thesis aims to investigate the read-aloud behaviors of two different groups of young children, to reveal differences in engagement interactions among infants and young toddlers when being read picture books by their teacher.

Methods: The …

A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Interoceptive Awareness In Adults Who Stutter, Hazel Malcolm

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Stuttering is commonly described as a disorder of speech fluency characterized by primary speech behaviors that are judged by external observers to be typical of stuttering, including part-word repetitions, prolongations, and blocks (i.e., silent prolongations or postural fixations). Despite wide use in the field of speech-pathology, definitions focusing on these ‘primary’ behaviors have also been criticized as ‘surface’ or ‘perceptual’ definitions that favor the experience of a listener over that of the speaker. Recent qualitative evidence suggests that, when asked, adults who stutter (AWS) instead define stuttering as an internal feeling or awareness of being ‘stuck’ that is surrounded by …

Using Aac To Build Young Beginning Communicators’ Inclusion In Song Routines, Sydney Miller

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined the effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on preschool-aged beginning communicators’ ability to participate linguistically during song social routines. The AAC used during the intervention phase were visual scene displays (VSDs). VSDs are color-realistic photos, often depicting real people, that are context-rich for the user. VSDs are less demanding and offer the user a way to communicate their thoughts, feelings, or emotions in a more contextualized way. The present study used a multiple-baseline across participants approach. The primary dependent measure was the linguistic participation of each participant using the VSD. The results indicated that each …

Dyslexia Training: The Impact On The Perceptions And Knowledge-Base Of Pre-Professionals Preparing To Work In K-12 Educational Settings, Colby Fowler

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the perceptions and understanding of dyslexia among first-year graduate students in speech-language pathology. Employing survey methodology, specifically a pre- and post-survey approach, this research investigates the attitudes and knowledge that the participants have in understanding and addressing dyslexia at the beginning of their graduate training. The study seeks to uncover the existing awareness, potential misconceptions, and the overall preparedness of these emerging professionals in dealing with individuals affected by dyslexia. Through a comprehensive survey analysis, the research aims to contribute valuable insights that can inform the development of targeted educational strategies and interventions within speech-language pathology programs, …

Speech-Language Pathologists' Experiences Diagnosing Swallowing Disorders, Katelyn Baxter

Honors Theses

This study explores the factors that inform a Speech-Language Pathologist’s (SLP’s) process for diagnosing dysphagia (disordered swallowing) and seeks to determine what barriers they perceive to performing their standard of care. To achieve a qualitative data set, 10 SLPs were interviewed using a semi-structured format and their responses were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis to produce four themes. Theme one gave insight into the SLPs prerogative to provide patient-centered care. Theme two expounded upon this, emphasizing how the SLPs treat dysphagia as part of a collection of disorders, and not in isolation. Theme three explained a lack of understanding as …

The Implementation Of Music Within Communication Intervention And Its Effect On Communication Development, Rebecca Dunn

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how and under what circumstances licensed speech-language pathologists incorporate music within communication intervention and to better understand perceptions towards the incorporation of music within speech or language therapy. A survey was developed based on the review of related literature and then entered on the Qualtrics^ã server for data collection and analysis. Once IRB approval was secured, the survey was then disseminated via a Facebook group for licensed speech-language pathologists. The author used Qualtrics^ã to collect and analyze the data, which was then used to determine when and how music was …

Spatial Hearing In Simulated Reverberant Classroom Environments, Gabriel Seth Evan Weeldreyer

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Spatial hearing provides access to auditory spatial cues that promote speech perception in noisy listening situations. However, reverberation degrades auditory spatial cues and limits listeners’ ability to utilize these cues for segregating target speech from competing babble. Hence, spatial unmasking—an intelligibility benefit from a spatial separation between a target and masker—is reduced in reverberant environments as compared to free field. This work tests the hypothesis that interaural decorrelation, the result of increasing reverberation, will broaden the perceived auditory source width with a cascading effect of reduced auditory spatial acuity and subsequently poorer spatial unmasking. To understand the perceptual consequences of …

Analyzing The Relationship Between Cannabis Use And Hearing Loss, Ashley Howe

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

The purpose of this study was to assess the cross-sectional relationship between cannabis use and hearing thresholds to determine if cannabis use is associated with poorer hearing sensitivity while controlling for covariates and other risk factors in a large population-based data set. To answer this question, we analyzed audiometric hearing threshold data, drug use data, and covariate data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. A total of 5,140 participants from 2009–2012 and 2015–2016 aged 20–59 years were included in the analyses. Univariable and multivariable main effects logistic regression models were used to compare cannabis use …