Across-formant integration and speech intelligibility: Effects of acoustic source properties in the presence and absence of a contralateral interferer

The family described in this article provides an unusual opportunity to relate findings from genetic, histological, electrophysiological, psychophysical, and rehabilitative investigation. Although the total number evaluated is large (49), the known, living affected population is smaller (14), and these are spread from age 20 to age 59. As a result, the findings described above are those of a large-scale case study. Clearly, more data will be available through longitudinal study of the individuals documented in the course of this investigation but, given the slow nature of the progression in this disease, such studies will be undertaken after an interval of several years. The general picture presented to the audiologist who must rehabilitate these cases is that of a progressive cochlear degeneration that affects only thresholds at first, and then rapidly diminishes speech intelligibility. The expected result is that, after normal language development, the patient may accept hearing aids well, encouraged by the support of the family. Performance and satisfaction with the hearing aids is good, until the onset of the speech intelligibility loss, at which time the patient will encounter serious difficulties and may reject hearing aids as unhelpful. As the histological and electrophysiological results indicate, however, the eighth nerve remains viable, especially in the younger affected members, and success with cochlear implantation may be expected. Audiologic counseling efforts are aided by the presence of role models and support from the other affected members of the family. Speech-language pathology services were not considered important by the members of this family since their speech production developed normally and has remained very good. Self-correction of speech was supported by hearing aids and cochlear implants (Case 5’s speech production was documented in Perkell, Lane, Svirsky, & Webster, 1992). These patients received genetic counseling and, due to the high penetrance of the disease, exhibited serious concerns regarding future generations and the hope of a cure.

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Comparison of In-the-Ear and Over-the-Ear Hearing Aid Fittings

Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders ◽

10.1044/jshd.5104.362 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 362-369 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Donna M. Risberg ◽

Robyn M. Cox

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

High Frequency ◽

Comparative Evaluation ◽

Speech Intelligibility ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Hearing Aid Fitting ◽

The Difference ◽

Functional Gain ◽

The Relationship

A custom in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid fitting was compared to two over-the-ear (OTE) hearing aid fittings for each of 9 subjects with mild to moderately severe hearing losses. Speech intelligibility via the three instruments was compared using the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) test. The relationship between functional gain and coupler gain was compared for the ITE and the higher rated OTE instruments. The difference in input received at the microphone locations of the two types of hearing aids was measured for 10 different subjects and compared to the functional gain data. It was concluded that (a) for persons with mild to moderately severe hearing losses, appropriately adjusted custom ITE fittings typically yield speech intelligibility that is equal to the better OTE fitting identified in a comparative evaluation; and (b) gain prescriptions for ITE hearing aids should be adjusted to account for the high-frequency emphasis associated with in-the-concha microphone placement.

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Effects of Noise and Increased Vocal Intensity on Stuttering

Journal of Speech and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/jshr.2002.233 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 233-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Sharon F. Garber ◽

Richard R. Martin

Keyword(s):

Normal Level ◽

Auditory Feedback ◽

Concomitant Increase ◽

Vocal Intensity ◽

Presence And Absence

The present study was designed to assess the effects of increased vocal level on stuttering in the presence and absence of noise, and to assess the effects of noise on stuttering with and without a concomitant increase in vocal level. Accordingly, eight adult stutterers spoke in quiet with normal vocal level, in quiet with increased vocal level, in noise with normal level, and in noise with increased level. All subjects reduced stuttering in noise compared with quiet conditions. However, there was no difference in stuttering when subjects spoke with normal compared with increased vocal level. In the present study, reductions in stuttering under noise could not be explained by increases in vocal level. It appears, instead, that reductions in stuttering were related to a decrease in auditory feedback. The condition which resulted in the largest decrease in auditory feedback, speaking in noise with a normal level, also resulted in the largest decrease in stuttering.

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Dysarthric Sentence Intelligibility

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/jslhr.4106.1282 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 1282-1293 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Jane Mertz Garcia ◽

Paul A. Dagenais

Keyword(s):

Speech Intelligibility ◽

Presentation Mode ◽

Contextual Influences ◽

Motor Functioning ◽

Video Presentation ◽

Independent Information ◽

Communicative Process ◽

Presentation Formats ◽

Sentence Intelligibility ◽

Audio Video

This study examined changes in the sentence intelligibility scores of speakers with dysarthria in association with different signal-independent factors (contextual influences). This investigation focused on the presence or absence of iconic gestures while speaking sentences with low or high semantic predictiveness. The speakers were 4 individuals with dysarthria, who varied from one another in terms of their level of speech intelligibility impairment, gestural abilities, and overall level of motor functioning. Ninety-six inexperienced listeners (24 assigned to each speaker) orthographically transcribed 16 test sentences presented in an audio + video or audio-only format. The sentences had either low or high semantic predictiveness and were spoken by each speaker with and without the corresponding gestures. The effects of signal-independent factors (presence or absence of iconic gestures, low or high semantic predictiveness, and audio + video or audio-only presentation formats) were analyzed for individual speakers. Not all signal-independent information benefited speakers similarly. Results indicated that use of gestures and high semantic predictiveness improved sentence intelligibility for 2 speakers. The other 2 speakers benefited from high predictive messages. The audio + video presentation mode enhanced listener understanding for all speakers, although there were interactions related to specific speaking situations. Overall, the contributions of relevant signal-independent information were greater for the speakers with more severely impaired intelligibility. The results are discussed in terms of understanding the contribution of signal-independent factors to the communicative process.

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Translating Principles of Speech Science to Clinical Practice: Current and Future Trends in Craniofacial Disorders

Perspectives on Speech Science and Orofacial Disorders ◽

10.1044/ssod18.1.31 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 31-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

David J. Zajac

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Speech Intelligibility ◽

Current Practice ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Behavioral Management ◽

Single Word ◽

Future Directions ◽

Speech Science ◽

The Impact ◽

Opinion Article

Abstract The purpose of this opinion article is to review the impact of the principles and technology of speech science on clinical practice in the area of craniofacial disorders. Current practice relative to (a) speech aerodynamic assessment, (b) computer-assisted single-word speech intelligibility testing, and (c) behavioral management of hypernasal resonance are reviewed. Future directions and/or refinement of each area are also identified. It is suggested that both challenging and rewarding times are in store for clinical researchers in craniofacial disorders.

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