Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

How Much Should Consumers With Mild To Moderate Hearing Loss Spend On Hearing Devices?, Vinaya Manchaiah, Steve Taddei, Abram Bailey, De Wet Swanepoel, Hansapani Rodrigo, Andrew Sabin

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: This study examined the relationship between hearing device price and sound quality. Method: A novel consumer-centric metric of sound quality (“SoundScore”) was used to assess hearing devices’ audio performance. Each hearing device is tested with two fittings. The “Initial Fit” is designed to approximate the most likely fitting for an individual with a mild-to-moderate sloping sensorineural hearing loss. The “Tuned Fit” includes adjusting parameters optimized to hit prescriptive fitting targets (NAL NL2) on an acoustic manikin. Each fitting is evaluated across five dimensions. Both fittings are combined using a weighted average to create a single number from 0 to …

Influence Of Hearing Loss On Self-Reported Hearing Ability And Listening Fatigue In Persons With Aphasia, Ashlyn Kilgore

Poster Presentations

Aphasia is an acquired disorder, often caused by stroke, that results in language deficits. It can greatly impact a person's ability to communicate with others. Cognitive deficits may accompany aphasia. Additionally, hearing loss is a disability likely to co-occur with aphasia, as they both most commonly impact the same age group. When a person has hearing loss, the quality of the auditory signal is degraded when it reaches the brain. The poor signal quality, compounded with linguistic and possible cognitive deficits that are associated with aphasia, makes it more difficult for persons with aphasia (PWA) to comprehend speech.

For all …

Advancing Speech Intelligibility Assessment: Comparing School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists, Laypersons, And Speech Recognition Software., Hannah Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental study utilized a convenience sample (N = 86) to investigate the comparability of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs), laypersons, and speech recognition software in the assessment of speech intelligibility for children with phonological disorders. Eighty-nine percent of participants were female, and 92% were white. All participants completed a survey comprised of 25 audio recordings of single-word utterances from an AI-generated voice of a four-year-old male with a phonological disorder and were asked to select what word they believed was heard from a pool of 12 options. The survey also included a passage read by the same AI-generated voice, and …

Long-Term Changes In Bolus Parameters During Swallowing Post-Chemoradiation Treatment., Brittany Rebecca Smiley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current treatment for oropharyngeal cancer involves chemoradiation, which can have profound effects on swallowing function. Submental muscle activity is critical for airway protection and bolus transit but is highly susceptible to radiation-related swallowing impairments. This study examined whether chemoradiation targeting the submental muscles leads to measurable changes in esophageal distension during swallowing in a rodent model. We hypothesized that rats receiving chemoradiation would exhibit aberrant esophageal distension compared to chemotherapy-only controls. Twenty male rats underwent four cycles of cisplatin concurrently with either radiation or sham radiation. High-speed videofluoroscopy swallow studies were conducted pre- and post-treatment with thin liquids to analyze …

Language Sample Analysis In Preschool-Age Children At-Risk For Speech Sound Disorders, Hannah Spear

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Language sample analysis is a highly beneficial tool that speech-language pathologists can utilize to provide a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for their client. This method is particularly valuable because it assesses a child’s speech in a naturalistic form, allowing therapists to observe how the child communicates in real-world settings. Speech sound disorders account for the highest number of cases treated by speech-language pathologist in the pediatric population. This thesis aims to investigate two different types of language sample analysis software, CLAN and SALT, as well as their benefits and limitations in diagnosing speech sound disorders. Understanding the …

Influence Of Hearing Loss On Self-Reported Hearing Ability And Listening Fatigue In Persons With Aphasia, Ashlyn Kilgore

Honors Theses

Aphasia is an acquired disorder, often caused by stroke, that results in language deficits. It can greatly impact a person's ability to communicate with others. Cognitive deficits may accompany aphasia. Additionally, hearing loss is a disability likely to co-occur with aphasia, as they both most commonly impact the same age group. When a person has hearing loss, the quality of the auditory signal is degraded when it reaches the brain. The poor signal quality, compounded with linguistic and possible cognitive deficits that are associated with aphasia, makes it more difficult for persons with aphasia (PWA) to comprehend speech.

For all …

Adherence To Follow-Up Among High-Risk Nicu Patients, Iryna Muryn, Susan Mbullah Ndimah, Lisa Renee Eiland, Tara Lozy

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Preterm infants, especially those ≤32 weeks' gestational age (GA) are at increased risk of vision and hearing loss. Risks of both vision and hearing loss can be ameliorated and in some cases prevented by conscientious screening, follow up and treatment. Universally, infants ≤32 weeks are cared for in neonatal intensive care units and there is considerable confidence that screenings and treatment occur according to established guidelines. At hospital discharge, follow up responsibility shifts to infant caretakers likely resulting in reduced compliance.

Objective:

We aimed to determine if preterm infants at risk for vision and hearing loss, attended follow up …

The Impact Of Hazardous Noise Levels On The Hearing Mechanism Of Marching Band Students, Margaret Westbrook

Honors Theses

Marching band participants are exposed to hazardous noise levels, and they are at risk of developing hearing loss. In this study, the impact of marching band noise on the hearing mechanism of marching band students was examined. Participants who were not in the marching band and were not exposed to noise were used as controls. Detailed case history and noise exposure history were collected using a noise exposure questionnaire (NEQ). The pure tone audiometry test was conducted to examine their hearing, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were recorded to examine the inner ear function, and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were …

How Music Is Used To Facilitate Communication In Speech-Language And Music Therapy For Children With A Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anna Mcgreevy

Honors College Theses

The goal of this research was to determine how music is being used in speech and music therapy sessions for children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, to discover the most common targets of these therapy sessions, and to examine the anatomical and physiological constructs that support the inclusion of music. This study was a review of literature, and included research from a variety of articles, several written in the past 25 years. Overall, results showed that music-based speech interventions such as Melodic Based Communication Therapy and Developmental Speech and Language Training, as well as music therapy interventions, are …

Peer-Led Support Groups For People With Early Onset Parkinson's Disease, Linnea Tabaka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Early onset Parkinson’s Disease (EOPD) is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease when diagnosed between the ages of 21 and 50. This population faces unique challenges due to family, social, and career demands that correlate with the age of diagnosis. Support groups have been utilized frequently for people with traditional PD and their caregivers but may not meet the unique needs people with EOPD face. This study explores the existing benefits of a peer-led support group (group led by members of the group) for persons with EOPD. Methodology: This is a qualitative case study of an established support …

Teaching Bilingual Features To A Young Augmentative And Alternative Communication User With Autism, Paola Gallegos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examines how a minimally verbal, young Spanish-English bilingual child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) uses translanguaging toggle features on an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to produce multi-word picture descriptions. The study employed a Rapidly Alternating Treatments Design (RATD) to analyze AAC performance under language-controlled Spanish-only and English-only conditions. A quantitative analysis examined the frequency and patterns of bilingual AAC feature use during aided modeling and instruction, while qualitative methods explored the related challenges and benefits. This study highlights the potential for bilingual AAC systems to enhance communication effectiveness and underscores the importance of incorporating user and …

Assessing Language Skills Of Children Within The Head Start Program Using Language Sampling Analysis, Lynley Bowen

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Fluency disorders, including stuttering and cluttering, disrupt one’s natural rate of speech and can cause implications for one’s emotional well-being. This study explores the relationship between language factors and stuttered events in preschool-age children by analyzing a spontaneous language sample using two transcription software programs, CLAN and SALT. A language sample was collected from a child enrolled in a local Head Start program and was transcribed and analyzed using the software programs. Results from CLAN’s KIDEVAL and FLUCALC features offered analysis of the child’s language profile, as well as SALT’s standards measure report feature. This study highlights the importance of …

Over-Imitation In Adolescents With Autism Compared With Typically Developing Peers: An Expanded Literature Review, Elizabeth Floeck

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background:

Over-imitation, the act of imitating both relevant and irrelevant actions, is a behavior commonly found in human learning and social development. It is often observed in typically developing (TD) children and is believed to play a role in both social and learning development. While the exact motivations behind over-imitation remain a mystery, over-imitation appears to be a socially motivated behavior. Children may over-imitate when they know certain actions are unnecessary, suggesting this behavior stems from social acceptance and norms. In individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), social and communicative behaviors are drastically different from TD individuals. In individuals …

Empowering Through Technology: An Internship Report On Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Olivia G. Macdonald

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices play a crucial role in supporting individuals with communication challenges, particularly children with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on AAC and offers a detailed report of an internship experience at the University of Arkansas WE CARE Summer Camp. During the internship, firsthand experiences provided valuable insights into how AAC technologies can be applied to enhance communication, foster social connections, and support behavioral regulation.

The literature review explores the different types of AAC systems, including both aided and unaided options, and discusses the …

Over-Imitation Skills In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Compared To Typically Developing Peers: An Expanded Literature Review, Josephine M. Stadler

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background:

Imitation, a foundational social and cognitive development mechanism, enables individuals to acquire cultural norms, communication skills, and problem-solving strategies. Over-imitation— the replication of both relevant and irrelevant actions demonstrated by others—plays a critical role in social learning. While typically developing children often engage in over-imitation to promote social bonding and affiliation, the role and underlying motivations for over-imitation in children with ASD remain less clearly understood.

Purpose:

Through a critical synthesis of professional and scholarly literature, this review aims to evaluate the history and development of research on imitation and over-imitation, assess empirical findings regarding typically developing children …

Adaptation, Reliability, And Validity Of The Auditory Skills Checklist (Asc) For Bengali Speaking Children With Severe To Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss With Hearing Aids, Istiak Rahman, Mahedi Hasan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The audiologic assessment guidelines of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) encouraged functional auditory skills assessment, appropriate for age. The Auditory Skills Checklist (ASC) assessment tool was developed from the necessity to assess the auditory skills of young children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). The aim of this study was to adapt a Bengali version of the ASC checklist from the original English version and then to test its reliability and validity.

Methods: The method of forward-backward translation and cognitive debriefing was employed to produce a culturally sensitive Bengali version of the checklist. The data was analyzed for …

Millennial And Gen-Z Experiences In Healthcare And Education In The Us, Zabia Evans, Anastasia Raymer, Beverly Khabo

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

In the United States, healthcare and educational institutions have a deep-rooted history of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and other demographic factors, resulting in unequal access to services and mistreatment of minority populations. This history extends to the field of speech-language pathology, with disparities in service being cited in the literature due to lack of clinician knowledge, non-diverse standardized testing measures, lack of resources and support, among other factors. Policies and legislation in recent decades have attempted to address these serious issues. This survey research investigates the childhood healthcare and educational experiences of individuals born during or after 1981, focusing …

Closing The Gap: Preschool Quality Affect On Language Acquisition Across Socioeconomic Statuses, Abby E. Hannnon Ms, Kaitlyn Clark Ms, Olivia Lewis Ms, Catherine L. Cotton Ms

Undergraduate Research Conference

Language acquisition is impacted greatly in the early years of life by many contributing factors. Children begin to have the conscious ability to acquire, learn, and develop language in exponential capacities around the age of 3-4 years old. These years are vital for the future of individuals' speech and communication. Preschool education is the beginning building blocks that lead to K-12 language learning and development. Socioeconomic statuses differ across all preschool aged children’s homes, consequently affecting the language heard and learned in the household. Our goal is to examine whether the quality of preschool education reduces the language acquisition gap …

How Do Slp's In Mississippi Incorporate Religious Activities In Adult Therapy Sessions, Nina M. Coker, Kenzie Priest, Claire Leak, Callie Abraham

Undergraduate Research Conference

Our research study proposes that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Mississippi consider including religious activities in therapy sessions with adult clients, highlighting the impact of these practices on the clinician-client relationship. The purpose of this research proposal is to gain information on how SLPs can incorporate religious activities in therapy sessions. It also seeks to emphasize the importance of clinicians’ cultural awareness regarding religious practices and how their awareness can impact their client’s experience. This study will consist of two surveys. The first survey will be completed by clinicians to gain knowledge of their awareness and incorporation of religion within therapy …

Does Awareness Of Behavioral Challenges Impact The Preparedness Of Recent Slp Graduate Students For Their Professional Practice?, Madison K. Jones, Catherine L. Cotton Dr.

Undergraduate Research Conference

This research aims to explore how awareness of behavioral challenges, such as aggression, defiance, and hyperactivity, affects the preparedness of recent Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) graduates. With over 84% of children receiving SLP services also facing emotional or behavioral difficulties, it is crucial to examine whether new SLPs feel prepared to manage these challenges. The study seeks to assess whether increased awareness of behavioral issues correlates with greater confidence and readiness in addressing them during the first year of clinical practice. The study will involve administering a survey to first-year Speech-Language Pathologists. The survey will focus on their preparedness and their …