Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Lack Of Protocol Standardization For Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials, Kendall J. Werhane

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs) are used in the field of Audiology to allow us to evaluate otolith and vestibular nerve function, which provides us with information that prior testing could not exclusively identify. While the collection of data from VEMPs is useful for many audiologic and vestibular diagnoses, achieving accurate recordings can be challenging due to the complex nature of testing. The article below will take a deep dive into different VEMP devices and the protocol they used to record VEMPs on their participants. The purpose of developing state-of-the-art (SOTA) equipment for VEMP testing is to ensure that the …

How Literacy Coursework May Change The Perspectives Of Preservice Speech-Language Pathologists: A Pilot Study, Robyn Becker

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This pilot study investigated how perspectives of preservice speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may change after completion of a graduate course in literacy in a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program. Further, the study sought to reflect upon course design and instructional delivery practices related to the class. Data was collected via online survey completed by 21 volunteer CSD graduate students. The results suggested that students' perspectives may evolve over the course of a semester-long CSD literacy class in some areas related to the components of reading, misconceptions about literacy, and the social justice implications of access to quality reading programs. Using …

Are Late Talkers Just Late? Neighborhood Density And Word Frequency Properties Of Late Talkers' Spoken Vocabularies, Elizabeth Schoen Simmons, Rhea Paul

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Purpose: Typically developing toddlers extract patterns from their input to addwords to their spoken lexicons, yet some evidence suggests that late talkersleverage the statistical regularities of the ambient language differently than dopeers. Using the extended statistical learning account, we sought to comparelexical-level statistical features of spoken vocabularies between late talkers andtwo typically developing comparison groups.Method: MacArthur–Bates Communicative Developmental Inventories AmericanEnglish Words and Sentences (N = 1,636) were extracted from Wordbank, adatabase of CDIs. Inventories were divided into three groups: (a) a late talkergroup (n = 202); (b) a typically developing age-matched group (n = 1,238); and(c) a younger, typically developing …

Social Support After Tbi: An Investigation Of Facebook Posts In Open Access Support Groups, Nicole Cruse, Helena R. Sabo, Melissa Brunner

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) significantly affects social interactions and emotional well-being. Following COVID-19, there has been growing interest in how individuals with TBI use online social media groups for support. This study examined engagement patterns in four Facebook support groups: two for TBI and two control groups. A deductive approach was used to categorize 4,133 posts and comments into a framework of support discourse, including seeking and giving support, and non-social support. Each category was further subdivided to analyze post content in more detail. Comments on posts were coded for helpfulness/appropriateness. Results revealed that posts in all groups fell into …

How Phonological And Syntactic Overlap Impact Cognate Processing Speeds In Bilinguals, Ella Marie Peterson

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This paper investigates individuals who are proficient in two languages (bilinguals) and the speeds at which bilinguals process cognates (words with comparable form and meaning across languages). This paper cites two ongoing experiments: The Language Identification (LID) task and the Self-Paced Listening (SPL) task. Findings from the LID suggest that phonological overlap in cognates facilitates bilingual language processing speeds, when cognates are presented in isolation. Findings from the SPL suggest that syntactic overlap in cognates also facilitates bilingual language processing speeds, when cognates are presented in sentences. These findings are significant in that the tasks present cognates to participants in …

Understanding The Effects Of Hormone Treatments On The Transgender Singer: A Pedagogical Study And Voice Studio Guide, Erin M. Hannon

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Transitioning from one gender to another can be an arduous and emotionally charged experience, accompanied by many physical and mental transformations. The journey of self-discovery and vocal explorations is both unique and deeply personal. Modifications that emerge in an individual's vocal characteristics have a profound influence on their capacity to communicate and express themselves.

Transgender vocal students and professional singers must navigate the delicate balance between their vocal and gender identities while considering the possible risks of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy. Though these therapies may significantly alter one's appearance and overall well-being, they are also capable of causing notable declines …

Measurement Of The Local Static Mechanical Pressure Of Earplugs, Luiz G.C. Melo, Ahmed S. Dalaq, Franck Sgard, Olivier Doutres, Laurianne Legroux, Eric Wagnac

Études primaires

Earplugs are used in various critical industrial sectors, such as construction, aviation, military and defense, transportation, and healthcare. However, they present inherent drawbacks, notably discomfort that can lead to inconsistent and incorrect use, thereby leaving a significant proportion of workers vulnerable to irreversible hearing damage, ranging from tinnitus to deafness. This discomfort is closely linked to a physical parameter known as static mechanical pressure (SMP), representing the pressure exerted by earplugs on the earcanal walls. Determining the SMP is crucial for developing earplugs that prioritize comfort. However, experimental studies in this area are scarce and there is no experimental set-up …

An Impedance Tube Technique For Estimating The Insertion Loss Of Earplugs, K. Carillo, O. Doutres, F. Sgard

Études primaires

This paper proposes a quick and straightforward technique for estimating the insertion loss (IL) of earplugs measured on an acoustical test fixture (ATF) using a commercial impedance tube. In this method, the earplug's acoustic properties (i.e., its transmission loss and the reflection coefficient of its medial surface) are determined from its transfer matrix measured using the three-microphones impedance tube method modified here for the current application. The IL is then estimated using a one-dimensional analytical model of open and occluded earcanals based on the wavefield decomposition theory. The method is evaluated numerically and experimentally from 50 Hz to 6.5 kHz. …

Voices In End-Of-Life Care: Gathering Perspectives Of Speech-Language Pathologists On End-Of-Life Issues In Medical Settings, Kori Bess Benton

Online Theses and Dissertations

Despite healthcare professionals becoming increasingly aware of the needs of the end-of-life care population, little research exists regarding the roles speech-language pathologists play in providing care for that population. This study investigates perspectives of speech-language pathologists on their roles and preparedness for engaging in end-of-life care. Eight participants engaged in semi-structured interviews to share their experiences in end-of-life care. Interviews were conducted and transcribed, then analyzed to establish common themes amongst speech-language pathologists working in this setting. This study found that speech-language pathologists do not feel they received adequate training related to their role in end-of-life care and share unique …

Been There Done That: A Narrative Analysis Of Disabled Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Elizabeth Maclaren Jones

Online Theses and Dissertations

There is no formal research completed that investigates the lived experiences of disabled speech-language pathology graduate students. This research study utilized a narrative approach. The data were collected through two virtual semi-structured interviews that lasted between 30-40 minutes. The initial coding was done using the qualitative research software ATLAS.ti. The final coding was completed manually. Thematic analysis of relevant In Vivo codes revealed three overarching themes. These themes include self-advocacy, self-disclosure, and self-reliance. In addition to these broader themes, nine minor themes also emerged that helped to develop the three major themes. These minor themes include miscommunication, vulnerability, lack of …

The Effects Of Masks On Speech Perception: A Case Study Of A 5-Year-Old, Megan Jameson

Online Theses and Dissertations

Through a case study design, this research examined whether mask usage in communication partners influenced speech perception in a 5-year-old child, and if so, what that effect was. Participants were recruited using a mix of electronic and physical flyers. Participants had to meet all inclusion criteria, including being English speaking, typical developing, and the age of 5 years for the duration of the study. Typical development was determined through the usage of three screeners; hearing, articulation, and language. Three children were screened, but only one met all inclusion criteria for the study. This individual went on to participate in phase …

Do High School Students Understand Their Miranda Rights? A Preliminary Investigation, Emma K. Hinds

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Background: Numerous studies have established that the linguistic complexity of the Miranda warning often results in poor comprehension, particularly for adolescents. Several studies have shown that persons with language disorders are overrepresented in U.S. prisons. Additionally, a few studies have shown a strong positive correlation between language scores and scores on Miranda assessments. These findings suggest that individuals with language disorders are at risk for poor comprehension of their Miranda rights, placing them at greater risk of waiving those rights, which can lead to incarceration.

Aims: The goal of this preliminary investigation is to examine how well adolescents with typical …

Measuring Interprofessional Practice Skills In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Kelly Free Jackson

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Interprofessional practice has become a key component of health professions training programs in recent years as health care has shifted to a more team-based approach to patient care. Because of this, health professions training programs have been tasked with ensuring that students receive adequate training prior to graduation. In the field of speech-language pathology, limited research has shown the best practices in measuring the interprofessional practice skills of speech-language pathology graduate students. Such scant evidence warrants the need for further research on viable measurement tools for interprofessional practice skill development in speech-language pathology. This dissertation presents a three-phase project focusing …

Considering Extended High-Frequency Audiometry As A Screening Tool For Auditory Processing Disorder, Maylee Martin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this research project is to describe Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and its background and etiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment options. APD is an auditory disorder that affects the central nervous system. Individuals with auditory processing disorders are able to detect sounds at normal hearing levels and pass a standard hearing test, but struggle with higher order auditory skills such as auditory discrimination, binaural processing, including understanding in the presence of background noise, and temporal processing (ASHA, 2005). A full auditory processing test battery is time consuming, and many audiologists are not skilled in administering typical APD …

Research Priorities For Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: A Long View, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

This article introduces the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research Special Issue: Selected Papers From the 2022 Apraxia Kids Research Symposium. The field of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) has developed significantly in the past 15 years, with key improvements in understanding of basic biology including genetics, neuroscience, and computational modelling; development of diagnostic tools and methods; diversity of evidence-based interventions with increasingly rigorous experimental designs; and understanding of impacts beyond impairment-level measures. Papers in this special issue not only review and synthesize the some of the substantial progress to date but also present novel findings addressing critical research …

The Use Of Telehealth Evaluations For Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children Aged 0-7: A Literature Review, Teah L. Ruiz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The following literature review was intended to review current research studies related to diagnostic evaluation using Telehealth for young children aged 0-7 seeking a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The analyzed research created a comprehensive guide on the quality, quantity, and state of Telehealth research for ASD evaluation will result. Through the synthesis of available literature, the strengths, and weaknesses of different models of Telehealth ASD evaluation were assessed. The results of this literature review found that there is evidence to support Telehealth’s use in some aspects of evaluation, but not as a stand-alone methodology. Further research is required …

Neurodivergent Student Success In Postsecondary Education: Attitudes Toward Current Accommodations, Alexis T. Cunha

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis investigated the perceptions of accommodation efficacy held by students with neurodevelopmental disabilities at UCF (the University of Central Florida) to understand whether the current accommodations are adequate for those accessing them. Prior research has found that students with disabilities face many barriers when accessing proper accommodations.

Furthermore, even when they access them, the accommodations may fall short of what is needed. An online survey study was conducted to investigate student usage of and attitudes toward accommodations. The survey comprised five main sections: Demographics, Perceptions of Accommodations/Accommodations Received, Willingness to Disclose Disability Scale (WDD), Attitudes Toward Requesting Accommodations Scale …

Communication Supports To Enhance The Community Participation Of Young Children With Complex Communication Needs: A Utilization-Focused Evaluation, Amy L. Yacucci

Theses and Dissertations

This utilization-focused evaluation study aimed to describe augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports to enhance communication accessibility for children with complex communication needs in a children’s museum. Utilizing feedback from museum staff and parents of children with communication disabilities, the study sought to identify practical strategies to improve the effectiveness of AAC supports in creating more inclusive community spaces. A utilization-focused evaluation framework (Patton & Campbell-Patton, 2022) guided the assessment of embedded-aided communication supports within the museum, ensuring that findings were relevant and actionable for stakeholders. The evaluation revealed three key insights: (a) the importance of communication access through multiple …

Instrumental Assessment Of Aero-Resistive Expiratory Muscle Strength Rehabilitation Devices, Angela M. Dietsch, Rahul Krishnamurthy, Kelsey Young, Steven M. Barlow

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose

Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) is increasingly being used to treat voice, cough, and swallowing deficits in a wide range of conditions. However, a multitude of aero-resistive EMST models are commercially available, and the absence of side-by-side comparative data interferes with clinicians’ ability to assess which model is best suited to a particular client’s needs. The primary aim of this research was to test and compare the pressure and flow parameters of six currently available EMST models to help inform clinical decision making.

Method

We identified and tested five devices of each of six different EMST models to generate …

Evaluation And Treatment Of Central Auditory Processing And Sound Tolerance Disorders, Aaliyah Gladney, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1

Introduction: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) affects how a listener understands speech even though their peripheral auditory system is intact. Case Presentation: An adult female was seen for a CAPD evaluation after experiencing recent listening difficulties following an automobile accident while 20 weeks pregnant. Results from a comprehensive audiological evaluation revealed audiometrically normal hearing in both ears. Results from the CAPD evaluation suggested a prosodic deficit. Discussion: Although results from testing were consistent with a prosodic deficit, the patient’s case history, original complaints, and recommendations were more consistent with an integration deficit. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that clinicians …