One of the lasting concerns in audiology is the unexplained individual differences in speech perception performance even for individuals with similar audiograms. One proposal is that there are cognitive/perceptual individual differences underlying this vulnerability and that these differences are present in normal hearing (NH) individuals but do not reveal themselves in studies that use clear speech produced in quiet (because of a ceiling effect). However, previous studies have failed to uncover cognitive/perceptual variables that explain much of the variance in NH performance on more challenging degraded speech tasks. This lack of strong correlations may be due to either examining the wrong measures (e.g., working memory capacity) or to there being no reliable differences in degraded speech performance in NH listeners (i.e., variability in performance is due to measurement noise). The proposed project has 3 aims; the first, is to establish whether there are reliable individual differences in degraded speech performance for NH listeners that are sustained both across degradation types (speech in noise, compressed speech, noise-vocoded speech) and across multiple testing sessions. The second aim is to establish whether there are reliable differences in NH listeners' ability to adapt their phonetic categories based on short-term statistics both across tasks and across sessions; and finally, to determine whether performance on degraded speech perception tasks are correlated with performance on phonetic adaptability tasks, thus establishing a possible explanatory variable for individual differences in speech perception for NH and hearing impaired listeners.

Purpose: To identify effects of variability of visual input on development of conceptual representations of academic concepts for students with normal language (NL) and language-learning disabilities (LLD). Method: Students with NL (n=38) and LLD (n=11) participated in a computer-based training for introductory biology course concepts. Participants were trained on half the concepts under a low-variability condition and half under a high-variability condition. Participants completed a post-test in which they were asked to identify and rate the accuracy of novel and trained visual representations of the concepts. We performed separate repeated measures ANOVAs to examine the accuracy of identification and ratings. Results: Participants were equally accurate on trained and novel items in the high-variability condition, but were less accurate on novel items only in the low-variability condition. The LLD group showed the same pattern as the NL group; they were just less accurate. Conclusions: Results indicated that high-variability visual input may facilitate the acquisition of academic concepts in both NL and LLD college students. Specifically, it may be beneficial for generalization to novel representations of concepts. Implicit learning methods may be harnessed by college courses to provide students with basic conceptual knowledge when entering courses or beginning new units.

Purpose: This study examines potential cross-linguistic effects on accuracy of codas in newly learned English-like nonwords produced by bilingual Spanish-English-speaking children. Methods: Forty-two bilingual Spanish-English-speaking second-graders (age 7-9) were matched individually with monolingual peers on age (+/- 6 months), sex, and percentile score on the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation (GFTA-2; Goldman & Fristoe, 2000), and matched for group on mother's level of education. Participants named various sea monsters as part of computerized word-learning games. Sixteen syllable-final coda consonants were analyzed for accuracy. These were drawn from thirteen nonwords distributed across five word-learning tasks. Results: Bilingual children were less accurate than monolingual children in production of both shared and unshared codas, though the gap was greater for unshared codas. Both bilingual and monolingual children were more accurate in production of shared codas than unshared codas. Conclusion: The results suggest that native language phonotactics influence accuracy of coda production in bilingual Spanish-English-speaking school-age children during word learning. Influences of native phonology on word learning could potentially impact academic achievement through vocabulary learning in the classroom.

Adults with language impairment have poor language skills, but may or may not have reading deficits. For those identified with literacy difficulties as children, deficits in the skills related to sublexical level decoding skills can persist into adulthood. Decoding deficits, current or remediated, would implicate the sublexical interaction of orthography and phonology. In addition, the heterogeneous reading profiles of adults with language impairment provide an opportunity to examine whether the deficits in this bidirectional link between orthography and phonology are related to reading deficit specifically or language impairment globally. Sixty adults, 30 with language impairment and 30 with typical language, participated in this study. Nonword stimuli, orthogonally varied based on orthographic and phonological neighborhood density, were presented in two sublexical tasks, nonword repetition and nonword spelling. The experiment revealed a pattern of similar responses for adults with and without language impairment. However, adults with impaired language had significantly poorer performance on both the nonword repetition task and the nonword spelling task. Additional analyses indicated that both language and literacy measures predicted the overall performance on the orthogonally varied nonword repetition and nonword spelling tasks. This study highlights the existence of a bidirectional influence between phonological and orthographic processing. For adults with language impairment it appears that this bidirectional link is intact at the sublexical level.

While human speech and the human voice generate acoustical energy up to (and beyond) 20 kHz, the energy above approximately 5 kHz has been largely neglected. Evidence is accruing that this high-frequency energy contains perceptual information relevant to speech and voice, including percepts of quality, localization, and intelligibility. The present research was an initial step in the long-range goal of characterizing high-frequency energy in singing voice and speech, with particular regard for its perceptual role and its potential for modification during voice and speech production.In this study, a database of high-fidelity recordings of talkers was created and used for a broad acoustical analysis and general characterization of high-frequency energy, as well as specific characterization of phoneme category, voice and speech intensity level, and mode of production (speech versus singing) by high-frequency energy content. Directionality of radiation of high-frequency energy from the mouth was also examined. The recordings were used for perceptual experiments wherein listeners were asked to discriminate between speech and voice samples that differed only in high-frequency energy content. Listeners were also subjected to gender discrimination tasks, mode-of-production discrimination tasks, and transcription tasks with samples of speech and singing that contained only high-frequency content. The combination of these experiments has revealed that (1) human listeners are able to detect very subtle level changes in high-frequency energy, and (2) human listeners are able to extract significant perceptual information from high-frequency energy.

Asymmetries of the vocal folds and vocal fold vibration are key features underlying unilateral vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI). The knowledge of what particular asymmetries contribute to breathy voice and which asymmetries must be eliminated to re-establish normal voice will be important to improving evaluation and treatment of VFMI. It was hypothesized that several structural and vibratory asymmetries should lead to predictable changes in the glottal area, flow, and acoustic waveforms, and subsequently a perceived breathy voice quality. The purpose of this project was threefold: 1) to determine how specific vocal fold structural and vibratory asymmetries alter vocal function and perceived voice quality, 2) to determine the improvement in vocal function and voice quality in an abnormal voice with elimination of individual asymmetries, and 3) to develop a battery of vocal function measures that vary with dysphonia in a predictable manner. The approach was to use a computational kinematic model of vocal fold vibration that allows for differential left/right control of parameters such as vocal fold adduction, medial surface bulging, vibratory nodal point, phase, amplitude of vibration, and fundamental frequency. The resultant signals were subjected to aerodynamic and acoustic measurement as well as perceptual rating of voice quality. Results revealed that the degree of vocal process separation was the most influential parameter tested, though asymmetry of bulging, nodal point ratio, and starting phase worsened normal voice quality. Conversely, increased symmetry of bulging, nodal point ratio, amplitude of vibration and starting phase improved disordered voice quality. The amount of improvement to disordered voices varied based on the number of other asymmetries present. None of the six vocal function measures tested were primarily responsive to one particular model parameter, though four measures generally decreased as vocal process separation increased: maximum flow declination rate (MFDR), spectral slope (B0-B2), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR). Two of the measures, MFDR and CPP, co-varied with each of the five parameters and robustly correlated with perceived severity.

Introdução: A aringectomia subtotal permite a preservação da função da laringe com um bom controle oncológico local da doença, além de manter uma comunicação satisfatória, traqueostomia temporária e disfagia passível de terapia fonoaudiológica. Objetivos: Descrever resultados da avaliação vocal, estruturas remanescentes, comportamento laríngeo em tarefas específicas e resultados da avaliação de deglutição; e comparar a funcionalidade das estruturas remanescentes com os parâmetros de voz e deglutição após laringectomia com cricohioidoepiglotopexia (CHEP) e traqueohioidoepiglotopexia (THEP). Método: Estudo transversal observacional comparativo em que participaram 15 indivíduos submetidos à laringectomia subtotal reconstruídos com CHEP (12) e THEP (3), após restabelecimento da alimentação via oral. Foram avaliados por meio da captação/registro de amostra de fala para análise perceptivo-auditiva, acústica e de agradabilidade da voz; nasofibrolaringoscopia para análise estrutural e exames de deglutição. Resultados: Foi observado grau acentuado de tensão e de desvio de loudness e as vozes foram consideradas desagradáveis. Quanto às estruturas remanescentes, a maioria apresentou atividade supraglótica vestibular mediana e anteroposterior moderadas durante fonação de vogais. A penetração laríngea silente foi encontrada na maioria dos indivíduos, mas nem sempre seguida de aspiração. Na comparação entre as estruturas remanescentes e os resultados funcionais de voz e deglutição, não houve significância estatística em nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados. Conclusão: Indivíduos submetidos à laringectomia subtotal mantêm disfonia acentuada e comumente episódios de penetração silente sem aspiração laringo-traqueal. Não houve significância estatística na comparação entre a funcionalidade das estruturas remanescentes e os parâmetros vocais e deglutição; o número de aritenóides preservado não se mostrou fator prognóstico para parâmetros positivos na avaliação vocal e eficiência da deglutição. Os diferentes ajustes neolaríngeos inviabilizaram estudo de correlação entre as variáveis / Introduction: Subtotal laryngectomy preserve larynx functions and allows adequate local oncological control and also provide an effective communication to the individual, temporary tracheostomy and dysphagia liable to speech-therapy intervention. Purposes: Describe results of vocal assessment, remaining structures, laryngeal behavior in specific tasks and the evaluation of swallowing; and also compare the functioning of remaining structure to voice and swallowing parameters after laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) traqueohyoidoepiglottopexy (THEP). Methods: Comparative observational cross-sectional study which counted on 15 individuals who underwent subtotal laryngectomy reconstructed with CHEP (12) and THEP (3), after re-establishment of oral feeding route. All individuals were assessed through capture/record of a speech sample for both perceptual-acoustic and voice pleasantness analysis, nasofibrolaryngoscopy for structural analysis, and swallowing examination. Results: We noticed pronounced level of tension and loudness deviation and the voices were considered little pleasant or unpleasant. Concerning remaining structure, the majority of individuals presented median vestibular supraglottic activity and moderated activity anteroposterior during phonation of vowels. Silent larynx penetration was found in the most part of individuals, although not commonly related to aspiration. The comparison between remaining structures and functioning results of voice and swallowing pointed no statistical significance among the assessed parameters. Conclusion: Individuals who underwent subtotal laryngectomy maintain pronounced dysphonia e often episodes of silent penetration without laryngotracheal aspiration. There was found no statistical significance between remaining structure functioning and both vocal and swallowing parameters; quantitatively, the maximum phonation time of arytenoid cartilage may influence on both voice pleasantness and perceptual-acoustic analysis

Introdução: A aquisição da flexão de tempo verbal é um processo gradual, realizado inicialmente sem conhecimento de significado e regra que diferencia as formas. A dificuldade gramatical é uma das marcas mais características de muitas crianças com Alterações Específicas de Linguagem - AEL, o que inclui alterações como omissão da flexão de verbos. Objetivos: verificar a habilidade gramatical de flexão de tempo verbal no passado em crianças em Desenvolvimento Normal de Linguagem - DNL e em com AEL. Método: Foram sujeitos 30 crianças em desenvolvimento normal de linguagem - DNL e 30 crianças diagnosticadas com AEL, com idades entre quatro a seis anos em ambos os grupos. Para avaliar o uso dos verbos no passado, foi desenvolvido um teste composto por 30 verbos regulares e irregulares. A análise das respostas considerou os acertos, as substituições, as generalizações e as respostas incorretas. Resultados: As crianças de quatro anos em DNL tiveram desempenho inferior às crianças de cinco e seis anos para acertos e a pontuação total. Não houve diferença entre a quantidade de substituição em função da idade. Aos quatro anos observamse mais erros de modificação do tempo verbal. Os erros de generalização de regra não diferiram entre os grupos etários. Aos quatro anos as crianças acertaram mais verbos regulares do que irregulares. Para os sujeitos com AEL das diferentes idades não houve diferença para nenhum tipo de categoria de respostas. A comparação dos sujeitos em DNL e com AEL mostrou que os sujeitos em DNL apresentaram mais acertos, menor quantidade de erros e maior pontuação total do que o grupo com AEL. Houve diferença entre os grupos para todas as categorias, exceto para verbos regulares. O grupo com AEL mostrou maior número de sujeitos que apresentaram mais de uma ocorrência de substituição de verbo irregular por verbo regular do que os sujeitos em DNL. Os erros de generalização não foram diferentes para os grupos de sujeitos em DNL e com AEL. Conclusão: Os sujeitos de quatro anos em DNL tiveram desempenho inferior aos demais, pois ainda estão aprimorando o uso de verbos em suas produções. Nesta idade observamos erros de modificação do tempo verbal. Aos cinco e seis anos as crianças já dominam a habilidade de flexão do verbo no passado e não se diferenciam. As crianças com AEL não apresentam evolução com o aumento da idade e mostram desempenho inferior aos sujeitos em DNL. Assim como para os sujeitos em DNL de quatro anos, o grupo com AEL mostrou maior quantidade de acertos para verbos regulares / Introduction: The acquisition of tense inflection is a gradual process, children appear unaware of the significance of inflectional endings, without recognizing that there is a general rule for deriving one form from another. The grammatical difficulty is an important mark of many children with Specific Language Impairment - SLI, which includes omission of verb inflection. Objective: To investigate the ability of past tense in children with Normal Language Development - NLD and with SLI. Method: The subjects were 30 children with NLD and 30 children diagnosed with SLI, aged between four to six years in both groups. To evaluate the use of past tense, we developed a test composed of 30 regular and irregular verbs. The analysis of the answers considered the correct ones, the replacement, overregularization and errors. Results: The four years old children with NLD had worse performance than the children of five and six years in correct answers and total score. There was no difference between the numbers of replacement based on age. By the age of four we had observed more tense inflection errors. The overregularization did not differ between age groups. By the age of four, children had more regular than irregular verbs correct answers. For children with different ages with SLI werent any difference for any category of responses. The comparison between NLD and SLI groups showed that children with NLD had more correct answers, fewer errors and higher total score than SLI. There were differences between groups for all categories, except for regular verbs. The SLI group showed a larger number of children who had more than one replacement occurrence of an irregular verb for a regular verb, than children with NLD. The overregularizations were not different for groups with NDL and with SLI. Conclusion: The four years old children with NLD had worse performance than five and six years old children, because they are still improving the use of verbs in their productions. At this age, we had observed tense inflection errors. The five and six years old children have already mastered the skill of past tense. The children with SLI didnt show improvement by increasing age and show worse performance than the children with NLD. The four years old children with NLD and SLI showed a higher number of correct responses for regular verbs

Variability inherently present between multiple talkers can prove beneficial in the context of learning. However, the performance during learning paradigms by children with specific language impairment (SLI) remains below typically developing peers, even when multiple talkers are used. Preschool children with typically developing language (n = 17) and SLI (n = 17) participated in a talker discrimination task. Five different pairings of talkers (same male, different males, same female, different females, male + female) were used to present 50 spoken words. Children with SLI were significantly poorer in discriminating same and different male speakers compared to their typical peers. The present findings demonstrate that preschool children with SLI can experience difficulty distinguishing between talkers. Poor sensitivity to variation in talkers may contribute to poor learning in SLI for contexts where multiple talker input should benefit the learner.

Modulation of voice is a result of physiologic oscillation within one or more components of the vocal system including the breathing apparatus (i.e., pressure supply), the larynx (i.e. sound source), and the vocal tract (i.e., sound filter). These oscillations may be caused by pathological tremor associated with neurological disorders like essential tremor or by volitional production of vibrato in singers. Because the acoustical characteristics of voice modulation specific to each component of the vocal system and the effect of these characteristics on perception are not well-understood, it is difficult to assess individuals with vocal tremor and to determine the most effective interventions for reducing the perceptual severity of the disorder. The purpose of the present studies was to determine how the acoustical characteristics associated with laryngeal-based vocal tremor affect the perception of the magnitude of voice modulation, and to determine if adjustments could be made to the voice source and vocal tract filter to alter the acoustic output and reduce the perception of modulation. This research was carried out using both a computational model of speech production and trained singers producing vibrato to simulate laryngeal-based vocal tremor with different voice source characteristics (i.e., vocal fold length and degree of vocal fold adduction) and different vocal tract filter characteristics (i.e., vowel shapes). It was expected that, by making adjustments to the voice source and vocal tract filter that reduce the amplitude of the higher harmonics, the perception of magnitude of voice modulation would be reduced. The results of this study revealed that listeners' perception of the magnitude of modulation of voice was affected by the degree of vocal fold adduction and the vocal tract shape with the computational model, but only by the vocal quality (corresponding to the degree of vocal fold adduction) with the female singer. Based on regression analyses, listeners' judgments were predicted by modulation information in both low and high frequency bands. The findings from these studies indicate that production of a breathy vocal quality might be a useful compensatory strategy for reducing the perceptual severity of modulation of voice for individuals with tremor affecting the larynx.