Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-178). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Auditory impairment in patients with craniofacial clefts has been well studied for decades. However, most previous research has only focused on middle ear disorders and related auditory consequences in this group. Studies of higher level auditory status and central auditory processing abilities of this group—particularly in children—have been unsystematic and have significant limitations, while the potentially negative impact of central auditory impairment on children should not be ignored. One important area which needs further research is the status of the central auditory nervous system (CANS) in children with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCLP). In order to objectively investigate possible central auditory impairment in children with NSCLP, the present research programme was initiated. Firstly, two major studies aimed to provide anatomical structural analysis and functional evaluation of the auditory structures of CANS in a group of infants with NSCLP, and compare the results to those of normal controls (Studies 1 and 2). Secondly, a pilot study (Study 3) was conducted to provide preliminary data and suggest methodology to support a major, future research programme to comprehensively investigate central auditory processing abilities in children with NSCLP. A multi-disciplinary approach that included brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanning, auditory evoked potentials (AEP) recording, and a central behavioural auditory test battery assessment protocol, was applied in the present research programme. Based on the results of the studies and data analysis, it was concluded that: (1) Structural abnormalities of CANS in infants with NSCLP may be primarily located in the left cerebral hemisphere and cortical abnormalities were more marked compared with those in other subcortical locations. The development and maturation of the auditory cortex in infants with NSCLP may be abnormal, compared with that in normal children; (2) Infants with NSCLP might have normal auditory sensory function at brain stem and subcortical levels, yet this group may have significant impaired auditory discriminatory function at cortical level; (3) Children with NSCLP may show normal auditory processing abilities in a quiet listening environment. However, they may be more vulnerable to background noise and have impaired auditory processing abilities in areas such as monaural low redundancy and temporal resolution ability. In summary, combining the results of MRI, AEP and behavioural measurements in the present research programme, it is suggested that children with NSCLP are at potential risk of both structural abnormalities and functional disorders of the CANS, particularly at auditory cortical level. In addition, this group might also be at risk of auditory processing impairments to some degree, particularly in noisy environments. The present research programme has made a contribution to our understanding of the central auditory status of children with NSCLP, which was not systematically investigated in previous studies, and provided information on which to base further research. The research findings should draw the attention of researchers and clinicians to improving auditory assessment and intervention for patients with craniofacial cleft disorders. Further efforts in this field in the long-term may help to develop a more sophisticated audiological evaluation and intervention approach for this population. / published_or_final_version / Speech and Hearing Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "May 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 23-28). Also available online.

Thesis (M.(Augmentative and Alternative Communication)), Universiteit van Pretoria, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 11, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-51).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-36).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed May 8, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 244-259).

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-70).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 2004. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2812. Typescript. Abstract precedes thesis as 1 preliminary leaf ( iii ). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-50 ).

The motor speech disorder of dysarthria is present in a substantial number of children with cerebral palsy (CP), leading to speech intelligibility deficits, which may negatively affect the children’s communication and quality of life. Few studies to date have examined strategies for increasing intelligibility in children with dysarthria, and most have focused on English speakers. Thus, questions regarding the effects of speech cueing strategies in speakers of other languages are under-explored. The purpose of this study was to determine if (Korean translations of) two cues, “speak with your big mouth,” targeting greater articulatory excursion, and “speak with your strong voice,” targeting greater vocal intensity, would elicit changes in speech acoustics and intelligibility in Korean-speaking children with dysarthria secondary to CP. Fifteen Korean-speaking children with dysarthria repeated word- and sentence-level stimuli in habitual, big mouth, and strong voice conditions. Intelligibility was assessed through the ease-of-understanding (EoU) ratings and percentage of words correctly transcribed (PWC) by 90 blinded listeners. Results indicated significantly greater vocal intensity and greater utterance duration in the cued conditions, demonstrating the children’s ability to vary their speech styles in response to the two cues. Furthermore, word-level EoU gains following both cues and sentence-level EoU gains following the strong voice cue suggest potential intelligibility benefits of the cues in this population. Gains in PWC were not statistically significant, and considerable variability in the children’s responses to the cues was noted overall. These findings contribute to the limited knowledge base for speech-language pathologists working with Korean speaking children. The variability in responses points to the importance of assessing each child’s stimulability to cues aimed to enhance intelligibility. Further clinical and theoretical considerations, including cross-linguistic implications, are discussed.