Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 84-89).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-89). Also available in print.

The effects of intensive multisensory speech training, with and without the use of Visual Phonics techniques, on the speech production of a profoundly hearing-impaired child were studied over a period of 6 weeks. A nine-year-old profoundly hearing-impaired child received 30-40 minutes of intensive speech training daily. Three target phonemes were trained using only multisensory speech training techniques and three target phonemes were trained using multisensory and Visual Phonics training techniques. The subject's productions of target phonemes in trained words and syllables were audio-taped at the end of each training period. Audio-taped productions were rated as correct or incorrect. The number of correct productions in words and syllables were tallied daily. Results show a general trend of improved production for all phonemes trained. There was no differential effect for the training technique used. It was concluded that intensive training, regardless of the technique used, has a positive effect on the speech productions of a profoundly hearing-impaired child.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Philosophy

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master in Audiology In the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand / The ability to handle a hearing aid may impact on satisfaction with and acceptance of hearing aids by individuals with hearing loss. Previous research has noted the correlation between hearing aid handling skills and effective hearing aid use. Although many studies have focused on the individuals’ satisfaction with their hearing aids there is a lack of information regarding the relationship between satisfaction with hearing aids and hearing aid handling skills. This is especially true for the South African context, where no studies have been conducted to explore this relationship. The main aim of the study was thus to determine the relationship between the ability to manipulate hearing aids and self-perceived satisfaction with hearing aids in individuals fitted with hearing aids in a public health care hospital. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational research design was employed for the purpose of this study. The sample included 85 adults fitted with hearing aids in a public health care hospital. There was an equal distribution of gender and the mean age of participants was 66.27 years. Participants completed the Practical Hearing Aid Skills Test – Revised (PHAST-R) version and the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) questionnaire. The findings of the study indicate that the majority of participants were able to successfully manipulate their hearing aids (Mean score: 75.43%; Range: 10.71 - 100; SD: 21.58). The mean global score for satisfaction with amplification was 5.2 (Range: 3.1 - 6.8; SD: 0.84) indicating high levels of satisfaction with their hearing aids. Overall there was a significant correlation between hearing aid handling skills and satisfaction with amplification (rs= 0.22871; n = 85). Indicating participants who were better able to handle their hearing aids were more satisfied with them. The findings suggest that the majority of participants were satisfied with the hearing aids provided in a public health care hospital and that they were able to successfully handle their hearing aids. The use of the PHAST-R as part of the hearing aid orientation session is encouraged especially in light of the poor return rate for follow-up hearing aid orientation sessions at this public health care settings. The development of standard operating procedures for hearing aid fitting and orientation in the public health care sector is recommended to ensure that the best possible outcomes are ensured for all patients. / GR2017

This study examined the understanding of workplace expectations of a group of deaf workers. Nine males and fifteen females, ranging in ages 18 to 48, all prelingually deaf, and whose preferred mode of communication was Auslan (Australian Sign Language), participated in the study. All had a history of extended periods of unemployment, interspersed with short-term vocational training courses that had not resulted in long-term employment. Ten of the participants were individuals identified as low-functioning deaf (LFD) characterised by their limited communication skills in sign language, English and presence of secondary disabilities. The purpose of this research was to investigate the extent the deaf participants understood employer expectations and how this knowledge may have impacted their employment success. Each deaf participant completed a 25-item written questionnaire exploring their views about workplace behaviours. A group of 100 employers from the Western Sydney area completed the same survey. The 24 deaf participants were interviewed regarding how they prioritised the items in the questionnaire and were asked to describe their workplace experiences. Subsequently, both data sets were analysed and compared. The participants were divided into four subgroups based on their employment status: employed/unemployed and functional levels: medium/LFD. Analysis of questionnaire rankings indicated the employed participants? responses showed good understanding of employer expectations. Results for the unemployed participants were divided; the rankings for the medium-functioning unemployed participants were very similar to the employed participants except in four areas. Predictably, the unemployed participants with LFD demonstrated a much lower understanding of employer expectations. The qualitative interviews provided further insight into the deaf participants? attitudes towards employment and the importance of meeting employer expectations. Additionally the interview transcripts identified many workplace problems experienced by the deaf participants which contribute to a lack of correspondence. The findings suggest deaf workers? dissatisfaction with their workplace conditions may play a role in their ability to sustain employment. Therefore, meeting employer expectations can be seen as only one of many components of successful employment. The findings suggest that both deaf workers and employers would benefit from greater understanding of each others? perspectives about the workplace. Seven topics are recommended for inclusion in future curricula. Better understanding of each others? views can support improved workplace relationships, employment retention and satisfaction levels.

Thesis (M.(Augmentative and Alternative Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Aud.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / "March 2009." Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-71). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Aud.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-149). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. Richard Morris, Florida State University, College of Communication, Dept. of Communication Disorders. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Mar. 3, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.