Input Subject Diversity Accelerates the Growth of Tense and Agreement: Indirect Benefits From a Parent-Implemented Intervention

Purpose

This follow-up study examined whether a parent intervention that increased the diversity of lexical noun phrase subjects in parent input and accelerated children's sentence diversity (Hadley et al., 2017) had indirect benefits on tense/agreement (T/A) morphemes in parent input and children's spontaneous speech.

Method

Differences in input variables related to T/A marking were compared for parents who received toy talk instruction and a quasi-control group: input informativeness and full is declaratives. Language growth on tense agreement productivity (TAP) was modeled for 38 children from language samples obtained at 21, 24, 27, and 30 months. Parent input properties following instruction and children's growth in lexical diversity and sentence diversity were examined as predictors of TAP growth.

Results

Instruction increased parent use of full is declaratives (η_p² ≥ .25) but not input informativeness. Children's sentence diversity was also a significant time-varying predictor of TAP growth. Two input variables, lexical noun phrase subject diversity and full is declaratives, were also significant predictors, even after controlling for children's sentence diversity.

Conclusions

These findings establish a link between children's sentence diversity and the development of T/A morphemes and provide evidence about characteristics of input that facilitate growth in this grammatical system.

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Trans Male Voice in the First Year of Testosterone Therapy: Make No Assumptions

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine changes in gender-related voice domain of pitch measured by fundamental frequency, function-related domains of vocal quality, range, and habitual pitch level and the self-perceptions of transmasculine people during their first year of testosterone treatment.

Method

Seven trans men received 2 voice assessments at baseline and 1 assessment at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after starting treatment.

Results

Vocal quality measures varied between and within participants but were generally within normal limits throughout the year. Mean fundamental frequency (MF0) during reading decreased, although to variable extents and rates. Phonation frequency range shifted down the scale, although it increased in some participants and decreased in others. Considering MF0 and phonation frequency range together in a measure of habitual pitch level revealed that the majority of participants spoke using an MF0 that was low within their range compared with cisgender norms. Although the trans men generally self-reported voice masculinization, it was not correlated with MF0, frequency range, or habitual pitch level at any time point or with MF0 note change from baseline to 1 year of testosterone treatment, but correlations should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneous responses of the 7 participants.

Conclusion

In trans men, consideration of voice deepening in the context of objective and subjective measures of voice can reveal unique profiles and inform patient care.

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Input Subject Diversity Accelerates the Growth of Tense and Agreement: Indirect Benefits From a Parent-Implemented Intervention

Purpose

This follow-up study examined whether a parent intervention that increased the diversity of lexical noun phrase subjects in parent input and accelerated children's sentence diversity (Hadley et al., 2017) had indirect benefits on tense/agreement (T/A) morphemes in parent input and children's spontaneous speech.

Method

Differences in input variables related to T/A marking were compared for parents who received toy talk instruction and a quasi-control group: input informativeness and full is declaratives. Language growth on tense agreement productivity (TAP) was modeled for 38 children from language samples obtained at 21, 24, 27, and 30 months. Parent input properties following instruction and children's growth in lexical diversity and sentence diversity were examined as predictors of TAP growth.

Results

Instruction increased parent use of full is declaratives (η_p² ≥ .25) but not input informativeness. Children's sentence diversity was also a significant time-varying predictor of TAP growth. Two input variables, lexical noun phrase subject diversity and full is declaratives, were also significant predictors, even after controlling for children's sentence diversity.

Conclusions

These findings establish a link between children's sentence diversity and the development of T/A morphemes and provide evidence about characteristics of input that facilitate growth in this grammatical system.

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Trans Male Voice in the First Year of Testosterone Therapy: Make No Assumptions

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine changes in gender-related voice domain of pitch measured by fundamental frequency, function-related domains of vocal quality, range, and habitual pitch level and the self-perceptions of transmasculine people during their first year of testosterone treatment.

Method

Seven trans men received 2 voice assessments at baseline and 1 assessment at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after starting treatment.

Results

Vocal quality measures varied between and within participants but were generally within normal limits throughout the year. Mean fundamental frequency (MF0) during reading decreased, although to variable extents and rates. Phonation frequency range shifted down the scale, although it increased in some participants and decreased in others. Considering MF0 and phonation frequency range together in a measure of habitual pitch level revealed that the majority of participants spoke using an MF0 that was low within their range compared with cisgender norms. Although the trans men generally self-reported voice masculinization, it was not correlated with MF0, frequency range, or habitual pitch level at any time point or with MF0 note change from baseline to 1 year of testosterone treatment, but correlations should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneous responses of the 7 participants.

Conclusion

In trans men, consideration of voice deepening in the context of objective and subjective measures of voice can reveal unique profiles and inform patient care.

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Input Subject Diversity Accelerates the Growth of Tense and Agreement: Indirect Benefits From a Parent-Implemented Intervention

Purpose

This follow-up study examined whether a parent intervention that increased the diversity of lexical noun phrase subjects in parent input and accelerated children's sentence diversity (Hadley et al., 2017) had indirect benefits on tense/agreement (T/A) morphemes in parent input and children's spontaneous speech.

Method

Differences in input variables related to T/A marking were compared for parents who received toy talk instruction and a quasi-control group: input informativeness and full is declaratives. Language growth on tense agreement productivity (TAP) was modeled for 38 children from language samples obtained at 21, 24, 27, and 30 months. Parent input properties following instruction and children's growth in lexical diversity and sentence diversity were examined as predictors of TAP growth.

Results

Instruction increased parent use of full is declaratives (η_p² ≥ .25) but not input informativeness. Children's sentence diversity was also a significant time-varying predictor of TAP growth. Two input variables, lexical noun phrase subject diversity and full is declaratives, were also significant predictors, even after controlling for children's sentence diversity.

Conclusions

These findings establish a link between children's sentence diversity and the development of T/A morphemes and provide evidence about characteristics of input that facilitate growth in this grammatical system.

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Trans Male Voice in the First Year of Testosterone Therapy: Make No Assumptions

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine changes in gender-related voice domain of pitch measured by fundamental frequency, function-related domains of vocal quality, range, and habitual pitch level and the self-perceptions of transmasculine people during their first year of testosterone treatment.

Method

Seven trans men received 2 voice assessments at baseline and 1 assessment at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after starting treatment.

Results

Vocal quality measures varied between and within participants but were generally within normal limits throughout the year. Mean fundamental frequency (MF0) during reading decreased, although to variable extents and rates. Phonation frequency range shifted down the scale, although it increased in some participants and decreased in others. Considering MF0 and phonation frequency range together in a measure of habitual pitch level revealed that the majority of participants spoke using an MF0 that was low within their range compared with cisgender norms. Although the trans men generally self-reported voice masculinization, it was not correlated with MF0, frequency range, or habitual pitch level at any time point or with MF0 note change from baseline to 1 year of testosterone treatment, but correlations should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneous responses of the 7 participants.

Conclusion

In trans men, consideration of voice deepening in the context of objective and subjective measures of voice can reveal unique profiles and inform patient care.

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Audiometric Testing With Pulsed, Steady, and Warble Tones in Listeners With Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Purpose

This study evaluated the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's recommendation that audiometric testing for patients with tinnitus should use pulsed or warble tones. Using listeners with varied audiometric configurations and tinnitus statuses, we asked whether steady, pulsed, and warble tones yielded similar audiometric thresholds, and which tone type was preferred.

Method

Audiometric thresholds (octave frequencies from 0.25–16 kHz) were measured using steady, pulsed, and warble tones in 61 listeners, who were divided into 4 groups on the basis of hearing and tinnitus status. Participants rated the appeal and difficulty of each tone type on a 1–5 scale and selected a preferred type.

Results

For all groups, thresholds were lower for warble than for pulsed and steady tones, with the largest effects above 4 kHz. Appeal ratings did not differ across tone type, but the steady tone was rated as more difficult than the warble and pulsed tones. Participants generally preferred pulsed and warble tones.

Conclusions

Pulsed tones provide advantages over steady and warble tones for patients regardless of hearing or tinnitus status. Although listeners preferred pulsed and warble tones to steady tones, pulsed tones are not susceptible to the effects of off-frequency listening, a consideration when testing listeners with sloping audiograms.

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Readability Level of Spanish-Language Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Audiology and Otolaryngology

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the readability level of the Spanish versions of several audiology- and otolaryngology-related patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and include a readability analysis of 2 translation approaches when available—the published version and a “functionalist” version—using a team-based collaborative approach including community members.

Method

Readability levels were calculated using the Fry Graph adapted for Spanish, as well as the Fernandez-Huerta and the Spaulding formulae for several commonly used audiology- and otolaryngology-related PROMs.

Results

Readability calculations agreed with previous studies analyzing audiology-related PROMs in English and demonstrated many Spanish-language PROMs were beyond the 5th grade reading level suggested for health-related materials written for the average population. In addition, the functionalist versions of the PROMs yielded lower grade-level (improved) readability levels than the published versions.

Conclusion

Our results suggest many of the Spanish-language PROMs evaluated here are beyond the recommended readability levels and may be influenced by the approach to translation. Moreover, improved readability may be possible using a functionalist approach to translation. Future analysis of the suitability of outcome measures and the quality of their translations should move beyond readability and include an evaluation of the individual's comprehension of the written text.

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Audiometric Testing With Pulsed, Steady, and Warble Tones in Listeners With Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Purpose

This study evaluated the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's recommendation that audiometric testing for patients with tinnitus should use pulsed or warble tones. Using listeners with varied audiometric configurations and tinnitus statuses, we asked whether steady, pulsed, and warble tones yielded similar audiometric thresholds, and which tone type was preferred.

Method

Audiometric thresholds (octave frequencies from 0.25–16 kHz) were measured using steady, pulsed, and warble tones in 61 listeners, who were divided into 4 groups on the basis of hearing and tinnitus status. Participants rated the appeal and difficulty of each tone type on a 1–5 scale and selected a preferred type.

Results

For all groups, thresholds were lower for warble than for pulsed and steady tones, with the largest effects above 4 kHz. Appeal ratings did not differ across tone type, but the steady tone was rated as more difficult than the warble and pulsed tones. Participants generally preferred pulsed and warble tones.

Conclusions

Pulsed tones provide advantages over steady and warble tones for patients regardless of hearing or tinnitus status. Although listeners preferred pulsed and warble tones to steady tones, pulsed tones are not susceptible to the effects of off-frequency listening, a consideration when testing listeners with sloping audiograms.

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Readability Level of Spanish-Language Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Audiology and Otolaryngology

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the readability level of the Spanish versions of several audiology- and otolaryngology-related patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and include a readability analysis of 2 translation approaches when available—the published version and a “functionalist” version—using a team-based collaborative approach including community members.

Method

Readability levels were calculated using the Fry Graph adapted for Spanish, as well as the Fernandez-Huerta and the Spaulding formulae for several commonly used audiology- and otolaryngology-related PROMs.

Results

Readability calculations agreed with previous studies analyzing audiology-related PROMs in English and demonstrated many Spanish-language PROMs were beyond the 5th grade reading level suggested for health-related materials written for the average population. In addition, the functionalist versions of the PROMs yielded lower grade-level (improved) readability levels than the published versions.

Conclusion

Our results suggest many of the Spanish-language PROMs evaluated here are beyond the recommended readability levels and may be influenced by the approach to translation. Moreover, improved readability may be possible using a functionalist approach to translation. Future analysis of the suitability of outcome measures and the quality of their translations should move beyond readability and include an evaluation of the individual's comprehension of the written text.

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Audiometric Testing With Pulsed, Steady, and Warble Tones in Listeners With Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Purpose

This study evaluated the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's recommendation that audiometric testing for patients with tinnitus should use pulsed or warble tones. Using listeners with varied audiometric configurations and tinnitus statuses, we asked whether steady, pulsed, and warble tones yielded similar audiometric thresholds, and which tone type was preferred.

Method

Audiometric thresholds (octave frequencies from 0.25–16 kHz) were measured using steady, pulsed, and warble tones in 61 listeners, who were divided into 4 groups on the basis of hearing and tinnitus status. Participants rated the appeal and difficulty of each tone type on a 1–5 scale and selected a preferred type.

Results

For all groups, thresholds were lower for warble than for pulsed and steady tones, with the largest effects above 4 kHz. Appeal ratings did not differ across tone type, but the steady tone was rated as more difficult than the warble and pulsed tones. Participants generally preferred pulsed and warble tones.

Conclusions

Pulsed tones provide advantages over steady and warble tones for patients regardless of hearing or tinnitus status. Although listeners preferred pulsed and warble tones to steady tones, pulsed tones are not susceptible to the effects of off-frequency listening, a consideration when testing listeners with sloping audiograms.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://article/doi/10.1044/2017_AJA-17-0009/2654120/Audiometric-Testing-With-Pulsed-Steady-and-Warble
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Readability Level of Spanish-Language Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Audiology and Otolaryngology

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the readability level of the Spanish versions of several audiology- and otolaryngology-related patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and include a readability analysis of 2 translation approaches when available—the published version and a “functionalist” version—using a team-based collaborative approach including community members.

Method

Readability levels were calculated using the Fry Graph adapted for Spanish, as well as the Fernandez-Huerta and the Spaulding formulae for several commonly used audiology- and otolaryngology-related PROMs.

Results

Readability calculations agreed with previous studies analyzing audiology-related PROMs in English and demonstrated many Spanish-language PROMs were beyond the 5th grade reading level suggested for health-related materials written for the average population. In addition, the functionalist versions of the PROMs yielded lower grade-level (improved) readability levels than the published versions.

Conclusion

Our results suggest many of the Spanish-language PROMs evaluated here are beyond the recommended readability levels and may be influenced by the approach to translation. Moreover, improved readability may be possible using a functionalist approach to translation. Future analysis of the suitability of outcome measures and the quality of their translations should move beyond readability and include an evaluation of the individual's comprehension of the written text.

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In Memoriam: Dr. Beverly Wulfeck, former SLHS Director

Beverly Wulfeck

Dr. Beverly Wulfeck passed away September 9, 2017 after a long 3-year battle with cancer.  Dr. Wulfeck was an internationally recognized scholar, educator, researcher, and mentor who had a long history at San Diego State University. Receiving her credentials as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist from UC Santa Barbara, she joined the SDSU faculty 1976 as a Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor and subsequently served as the Coordinator of the Clinical Training Center. 

She took a hiatus in her clinical practice to train under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Bates at UC San Diego where she completed her Ph.D in 1987.  She returned to SDSU in 1994 as a faculty member in the Department of Communicative Disorders – now known as the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS).  Dr. Wulfeck served as the Director of SLHS from 2004-2014, when she retired from SDSU.  During this time, she continued a close relationship with UCSD, maintaining a Research appointment in the Center for Research in Language. Dr. Wulfeck’s research focused on real-time processing and brain imaging techniques to examine the neural correlates of language and cognitive processing in typical children and adults, adults with aphasia, and children with neurodevelopmental impairment. 

Dr. Wulfeck was a founding member of the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders (JDP-LCD) and served as the program’s SDSU director from 1997 until her retirement in 2014. For her services and accomplishments as an educator, Dr. Wulfeck was awarded the SDSU Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions for the College of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Wulfeck shaped the lives and curriculum of SLHS and the JDP-LCD with integrity and compassion.

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In Memoriam: Dr. Beverly Wulfeck, former SLHS Director

Beverly Wulfeck

Dr. Beverly Wulfeck passed away September 9, 2017 after a long 3-year battle with cancer.  Dr. Wulfeck was an internationally recognized scholar, educator, researcher, and mentor who had a long history at San Diego State University. Receiving her credentials as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist from UC Santa Barbara, she joined the SDSU faculty 1976 as a Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor and subsequently served as the Coordinator of the Clinical Training Center. 

She took a hiatus in her clinical practice to train under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Bates at UC San Diego where she completed her Ph.D in 1987.  She returned to SDSU in 1994 as a faculty member in the Department of Communicative Disorders – now known as the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS).  Dr. Wulfeck served as the Director of SLHS from 2004-2014, when she retired from SDSU.  During this time, she continued a close relationship with UCSD, maintaining a Research appointment in the Center for Research in Language. Dr. Wulfeck’s research focused on real-time processing and brain imaging techniques to examine the neural correlates of language and cognitive processing in typical children and adults, adults with aphasia, and children with neurodevelopmental impairment. 

Dr. Wulfeck was a founding member of the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders (JDP-LCD) and served as the program’s SDSU director from 1997 until her retirement in 2014. For her services and accomplishments as an educator, Dr. Wulfeck was awarded the SDSU Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions for the College of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Wulfeck shaped the lives and curriculum of SLHS and the JDP-LCD with integrity and compassion.

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In Memoriam: Dr. Beverly Wulfeck, former SLHS Director

Beverly Wulfeck

Dr. Beverly Wulfeck passed away September 9, 2017 after a long 3-year battle with cancer.  Dr. Wulfeck was an internationally recognized scholar, educator, researcher, and mentor who had a long history at San Diego State University. Receiving her credentials as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist from UC Santa Barbara, she joined the SDSU faculty 1976 as a Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor and subsequently served as the Coordinator of the Clinical Training Center. 

She took a hiatus in her clinical practice to train under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Bates at UC San Diego where she completed her Ph.D in 1987.  She returned to SDSU in 1994 as a faculty member in the Department of Communicative Disorders – now known as the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS).  Dr. Wulfeck served as the Director of SLHS from 2004-2014, when she retired from SDSU.  During this time, she continued a close relationship with UCSD, maintaining a Research appointment in the Center for Research in Language. Dr. Wulfeck’s research focused on real-time processing and brain imaging techniques to examine the neural correlates of language and cognitive processing in typical children and adults, adults with aphasia, and children with neurodevelopmental impairment. 

Dr. Wulfeck was a founding member of the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders (JDP-LCD) and served as the program’s SDSU director from 1997 until her retirement in 2014. For her services and accomplishments as an educator, Dr. Wulfeck was awarded the SDSU Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions for the College of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Wulfeck shaped the lives and curriculum of SLHS and the JDP-LCD with integrity and compassion.

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SSRI and Tinnitus

Anxiety/stress are common comorbid factors to chronic tinnitus. Thus, it common to see patients with tinnitus on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are believed to increase the extracellular level of the neurotransmitter serotonin by limiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell, thereby increasing the level of serotonin available to bind to the post-sympatic receptor. SSRIs are commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, etc.

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Prevalence of hearing loss and associated factors in subjects with normal otoscopy: a national cross-sectional study

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Prevalence of hearing loss and associated factors in subjects with normal otoscopy: a national cross-sectional study

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Prevalence of hearing loss and associated factors in subjects with normal otoscopy: a national cross-sectional study

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