Julgamento perceptivo-auditivo e perceptivo-visual na identificação de produções gradientes em fricativas / Perceptive-auditive and perceptive-visual judgment in the identification of gradient productions in fricatives

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar qual método de julgamento, perceptivo-auditivo (JPA) de áudios ou julgamento perceptivo-visual (JPV) (imagens ultrassonográficas), é mais sensível para detectar produções gradientes entre a classe das fricativas coronais surdas e verificar se há correlação entre essas formas de julgamento. Método Arquivos de áudio e vídeo de ultrassonografia de língua (USL) relativos às produções das palavras "sapo" e "chave", de 11 crianças, entre 6 a 12 anos de idade, com produção de fala atípica, foram selecionados de um banco de dados e editados para os julgamentos. Após instrução e treino prévio, 20 juízes deveriam escolher, imediatamente à apresentação do estímulo (auditivo ou visual), uma dentre três opções dispostas na tela do computador. No JPA as opções eram: produção correta, incorreta ou gradiente, enquanto no JPV as opções eram imagens correspondentes à produção de [s], de [∫] ou indiferenciada. O tempo de apresentação dos estímulos e o tempo de reação foram controlados automaticamente pelo software PERCEVAL. Resultados O JPV propiciou uma maior porcentagem de identificação dos estímulos gradientes e um menor tempo de reação na realização da tarefa comparativamente ao JPA, ambos estatisticamente significante. O teste de correlação de Spearman não mostrou significância estatística entre as respostas do JPA e JPV, nem para o tempo de reação. Conclusão O JPV com o uso de imagens US mostrou-se o método mais sensível para a detecção da produção gradiente na produção de fricativas [s] e [∫], podendo ser utilizado como método complementar ao JPA na análise de fala.

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze which method of judgment, auditory- perceptual (PAJ) of audios or perceptual-visual judgment (PVJ) (ultrasound images), is more sensitive to detect gradual productions between the class of deaf coronal fricatives and check if there is a correlation between these forms of judgment. Method Audio and video files of language ultrasound (LUS) related to the production of the words "frog" and "key", of 11 children, between 6 and 12 years old, with atypical speech production, were selected from a bank data and edited for judgments. After instruction and prior training, 20 judges should choose, immediately upon presentation of the stimulus (auditory or visual), one of three options arranged on the computer screen. In PAJ the options were: correct, incorrect or gradient production, while in PVJ the options were images corresponding to the production of [s], [∫] or undifferentiated. The presentation time of the stimuli and the reaction time were automatically controlled by the PERCEVAL software. Results PVJ provided a higher percentage of identification of gradient stimuli and a shorter reaction time in performing the task compared to PAJ, both statistically significant. Spearman's correlation test did not show statistical significance between PAJ and PVJ responses, nor for reaction time. Conclusion PVJ using US images proved to be the most sensitive method for detecting gradient production in the production of fricatives [s] and [∫], and can be used as a complementary method to PAJ in speech analysis.

Digital noise reduction in hearing aids and its acoustic effect on consonants /s/ and /z/

@#Introduction: Modulation-based noise reduction (MBNR) is one of the common noise reduction methods used in hearing aids. Gain reduction in high frequency bands may occur for some implementations of MBNR and fricatives might be susceptible to alteration, given the high frequency components in fricative noise. The main objective of this study is to quantify the acoustic effect of MBNR on /s, z/. Methods: Speech-and-noise signals were presented to, and recorded from, six hearing aids mounted on a head and torso simulator. Test stimuli were nonsense words mixed with pink, cafeteria, or speech-modulated noise at 0 dB SNR. Fricatives /s, z/ were extracted from the recordings for analysis. Results: Analysis of the noise confirmed that MBNR in all hearing aids was activated for the recordings. More than 1.0 dB of acoustic change occurred to /s, z/ when MBNR was turned on in four out of the six hearing aids in the pink and cafeteria noise conditions. The acoustics of /s, z/ by female talkers were affected more than male talkers. Significant relationships between amount of noise reduction and acoustic change of /s, z/ were found. Amount of noise reduction accounts for 42.8% and 16.8% of the variability in acoustic change for /s/ and /z/ respectively. Conclusion: Some clinically-available implementations of MBNR have measurable effects on the acoustics of fricatives. Possible implications for speech perception are discussed.

Impact of delayed prosthetic treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency on quality of life.

Palatopharyngeal dysfunction may take place when palatopharyngeal valve is unable to perform its own closing due to a lack of tissue (palatopharyngeal insufficiency) or lack of proper movement (palatopharyngeal incompetence). Palatopharyngeal insufficiency induces nasal regurgitation of liquids, hypernasal speech, nasal escape, disarticulations and impaired speech intelligibility. Prosthetic management of palatopharyngeal insufficiency requires a close co-operation between an otolaryngologist and a speech pathologist. As a result, the patient can be socially and physically rehabilitated with the improved speech quality as well as prevention of leakage of liquids.

Comparison of Speech Patterns According to The Degree of Surgical Setback in Mandibular Prognathic Patients