Acoustic differences between humorous and sincere communicative intentions.

Previous studies indicate that the acoustic features of speech discriminate between positive and negative communicative intentions, such as approval and prohibition. Two studies investigated whether acoustic features of speech can discriminate between two positive communicative intentions: humour and sweet-sincerity, where sweet-sincerity involved being sincere in a positive, warm-hearted way. In Study 1, 22 mothers read a book containing humorous, sweet-sincere, and neutral-sincere images to their 19- to 24-month-olds. In Study 2, 41 mothers read a book containing humorous or sweet-sincere sentences and images to their 18- to 24-month-olds. Mothers used a higher mean F0 to communicate visual humour as compared to visual sincerity. Mothers used greater F0 mean, range, and standard deviation; greater intensity mean, range, and standard deviation; and a slower speech rate to communicate verbal humour as compared to verbal sweet-sincerity. Mothers used a rising linear contour to communicate verbal humour, but used no specific contour to express verbal sweet-sincerity. We conclude that speakers provide acoustic cues enabling listeners to distinguish between positive communicative intentions.

Capacidades de discriminación fonética de un contraste vocálico nativo en el prematuro / Phonetic discrimination ability of a native vowel contrast in preterm infants

La prematuridad se ha considerado un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo cognitivo y lingüístico, pero son escasas las investigaciones que analicen las diferencias entre prematuros y nacidos a término en las habilidades iniciales de la percepción del habla. En este trabajo se explora la capacidad para percibir y discriminar un contraste vocálico nativo en una muestra de prematuros a los 4 y 8 meses (edad corregida), mediante el paradigma de familiarización - preferencia con estímulos complejos (CV.CV, multi-locutoras). Los resultados muestran diferencias a los 4 meses entre prematuros y controles, solo los segundos categorizan adecuadamente y responden al cambio vocálico. A los 8 meses el grupo de prematuros ya resuelve la tarea. Se observa una correlación positiva entre duración de la atención (tiempo de fijación visual) y variables de riesgo neonatal. Los resultados muestran los efectos de la prematuridad sobre el procesamiento de estímulos complejos y plantean la necesidad de explorar con mayor detalle la relación entre las capacidades tempranas de percepción del habla y el desarrollo del lenguaje en esta población de riesgo (AU)

Preterm birth is considered a risk factor for cognitive and linguistic development; however, research focusing on the comparison between preterm and full term infants’ early abilities in speech perception is still scarce. In this study, the ability to perceive and discriminate a native vowel contrast by a sample of preterm infants at 4 and 8 months of age (corrected for gestation) has been analyzed using the familiarization-preference procedure and complex stimuli (CV.CV, multispeakers). Results reveal differences at 4 months of age between pre-term and control groups; only the latter successfully categorize and react to the vowel change. By 8 months of age, preterm infants are able to solve the task. A positive correlation was observed between duration of attention (visual fixation measures) and a number of neonatal risk factors. Results show the effects of preterm birth on the processing of complex stimuli and suggest the need to further explore the connection between early speech perception capacities and language development in this at-risk population (AU)

Phonological therapy within a psycholinguistic framework: promoting change in a child with persisting speech difficulties.

BACKGROUND: Single case studies are a valuable means of providing information about the outcomes of speech and language intervention. Many previous studies have used phonological analysis as a theoretical basis, while others have used psycholinguistic models. The present study combines these approaches to assessment, intervention and evaluation of outcomes. AIMS: The aim of the research was to determine if intensive psycholinguistically based intervention could result in (a) specific and (b) generalized improvements in the speech production of a child with severe and persisting phonological difficulties. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A single subject research design was used with pre- and post-intervention assessment carried out. Assessment took place at two levels: the macro level focused on global change in the child's speech processing system using psycholinguistic speech profiling and phonological analyses; the micro assessment focused on specific, treated (and matched control) stimuli. There were three phases of intervention with a total of 30 hours of therapy. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Micro evaluation showed significant changes in Katy's single word and connected speech production--as well as in other areas such as spelling and auditory discrimination of closely related real word pairs. Macro evaluation revealed significant improvement in speech severity indices (PCC, PPC), and gains in her ability to discriminate between closely related real word pairs. These changes were maintained at follow-up seven months after intervention had ceased. CONCLUSIONS: Specific and intensive intervention brought about significant improvements in this child's speech, spelling and auditory discrimination at the micro level, and in speech and auditory discrimination at a macro level. The macro level assessments reveal persisting core deficits requiring further focused intervention before changes can be observed more widely. When carefully defined and evaluated, speech and language intervention can have positive outcomes for children with severe and persisting speech difficulties.

Experience with the SOUNDTEC implantable hearing aid.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, morbidity, and patient satisfaction of the SOUNDTEC semi-implantable hearing aid. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Two tertiary referral centers (the Silverstein Institute and the Atkins Institute). PATIENTS: Sixty-four (four bilateral placements) patients with bilateral moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss: 47 patients had previously worn hearing aids. INTERVENTIONS: After separating the incudostapedial joint, a magnet encased in a titanium canister with a ring was introduced onto the stapes neck. Gelfoam or adipose tissue was used to stabilize the magnet. After 3 months, the external processor was fitted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At 1 month, audiometric testing was performed and functional gain was assessed. Patient acceptance and implant performance were measured by a visual analogue questionnaire. RESULTS: The device produced an average functional gain of 26 dB. Fifty-five percent of patients complained of magnet movement; this was eliminated in 80% of Silverstein Institute patients when the external processor was worn and fat was used to stabilize the magnet. CONCLUSION: The SOUNDTEC direct device is well tolerated in the majority of patients, with a significant increase in functional gain. Magnet instability and noise were the most frequent complaints and improved with processor placement and anchoring the magnet with fat. This electromagnetic semi-implantable hearing aid confers greater functional gain over conventional hearing aids and reduces occlusion effect and feedback.

Effects of signal presentation level and word duration on gated word-recognition performance.

This study examined the effects of signal presentation level and word duration on time-gated isolated monosyllabic word-recognition performance. Measures of listener confidence, word identification, isolation point (IP), confidence at IP, and acceptance point were obtained from normal-hearing listeners. Subjects were presented with non-time-gated and time-gated speech stimuli at 40 dB SPL (N = 21). The resulting performance measures were compared with previously reported results obtained using an 80-dB SPL presentation level. The speech stimuli consisted of 60-msec time-gated isolated monosyllabic words developed from a prerecorded 50-item list (Auditec, NU-6). Comparisons were drawn between presentation levels, word durations, and time-gated and non-time-gated presentation conditions. Poorer accuracy and longer isolation points were observed at the lower signal presentation level. The findings further indicated that listener confidence at IP was only indirectly influenced by presentation level. Monosyllabic word duration was a significant factor in on-line recognition performance, regardless of presentation level.