Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Practices And Attitudes Towards Infant Hearing Protection At Orthodox Jewish Weddings, Rebecca Weiss

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Previous research has shown that prolonged exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing loss no matter what age, including infants. The impact of noise at orthodox Jewish weddings, where infants are frequently in attendance, can reach extremely high and damaging levels of sound intensity. Because the hearing conservation behaviors and attitudes towards child hearing protection in this population are unknown, the objective of this study is to identify the attitudes and behaviors of orthodox Jewish wedding attendees toward child hearing conservation. A survey was developed and administered electronically to congregants of orthodox Jewish synagogues in the New York City area. …

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 …

Reviews Of Applications For Smartphone-Connected Hearing Aids And Implications On Counseling, Rebecca Strong

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

With the recent rise of smartphone ownership, more applications have been created that connect user’s hearing aids to their smartphone. One type of application that has become popular is one that allows the user to control hearing aids using a smartphone. While these applications have many benefits for the user, there has been very little research on the experiences of individuals using these applications. In order for audiologists to best help their patients troubleshoot and prepare reasonable expectations for using smartphone-connected hearing aids, they need to understand the patient experience to create effective solutions. One technique that can be used …