Asia Pacific journal of speech, language, and hearing 

About: Asia Pacific journal of speech, language, and hearing is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Aphasia & Phonology. It has an ISSN identifier of 1361-3286. Over the lifetime, 294 publications have been published receiving 1738 citations.

Identification of temporal envelope cues in Chinese tone recognition

Abstract: For tonal languages such as Mandarin Chinese, tone recognition is important for understanding the meaning of words, phrases or sentences. While fundamental frequency carries the most distinctive information for tone recognition, waveform temporal envelope cues can also produce a high level of tone recognition. This study attempts to identify what types of temporal envelope cues contribute to tone recognition and whether these temporal envelope cues are dependent on speakers and vowel contexts. Several signal-correlated-noise stimuli were generated to separate the contribution of three major temporal envelope cues – duration, amplitude contour, and periodicity – to tone recognition. Perceptual results show that the duration cue contributed mostly to discrimination of Tone-3, the amplitude cue contributed mostly to Tone-3 and Tone-4 discrimination, and the periodicity cue contributed to recognition of all tones. However, tone recognition based on temporal envelope cues was highly variable across sp...

Validity, reliability and responsivity of the Royal Brisbane Hospital Outcome Measure for Swallowing

Abstract: One of the main limitations of outcome measures currently in use in many clinical settings is the lack of data to support the reliability and validity of the scales. The present study presents the results of psychometric investigations of the Royal Brisbane Hospital Outcome Measure for Swallowing (RBHOMS), a lO-point scale designed to document changes in swallowing disability. Functional swallowing ability at both hospital admission and discharge was assessed in a group of 285 dysphagic inpatients. Following the clinical bedside examination, all patients were rated using the RBHOMS, the Therapy Outcome Measures (TOM) Dysphagia Disability Scale and the Westmead Outcome Rating Scale. Data from the three measures were compared and contrasted to examine the reliability, validity and responsivity of the RBHOMS. Psychometric analysis of the RBHOMS revealed that the scale is clinically valid and responsive to clinical changes in levels of swallowing disability. In addition inter-rater reliability of the ...

Conversation analysis as a dependent measure in communication therapy with four individuals with aphasia

Abstract: This report documents the progress of four individuals with aphasia through a seven-week course of Conversation Partners Therapy using a conversation analysis (CA). The CA as used in this study reveals changes otherwise unavailable from more traditional testing methods. Four individuals with aphasia participated. Their treatment comprised a seven-week regimen of therapy which used a family member as a trained facilitator, with the speech-language pathologist serving as ‘coach’. Weekly conversation probes were later analysed to determine whether progress documented with formal measures was observable from conversation. In the two patients with more satisfactory progress with conventional testing, parallel changes were realised in the CA, particularly with measures of verbal output and use of conversation self-repair. In the two patients with less satisfactory progress, little change in verbal output was noted, and no change or a decrease in conversation self-repairs occurred. The analyses in this s...

Vocal Abuse and Vocal Hygiene Practices Among Different Level Professional Voice Users in India: A Survey

Abstract: Vocal hygiene is a primary aspect of concern for professional voice users. This study aimed to describe vocal abuse and vocal hygiene practices among different levels of professional voice users in India. A questionnaire regarding vocal abuse and vocal hygiene practices was administered to 400 voice professionals (singers, teachers, politicians, and vendors). The results revealed politicians and vendors had the highest point prevalence and frequency of voice problems. Politicians had highest prevalence of abusive non-vocal habits. About 84.3% of voice professionals considered that abusive (nonvocal) habits had a negative influence on voice. All subjects indulged in throat clearing, loud speaking/singing for long durations (abusive vocal habits). An equal number of subjects reported that they would resort to home remedies or not seek any help. Both ancient traditional practices (consuming milk with pepper or turmeric) and empirically proven methods are practiced among these different voice professi...

The (In)visibility of Children with Communication Impairment in Australian Health, Education, and Disability Legislation and Policies

Abstract: Communication impairment is a prevalent childhood disability. The way nations formally recognise communication impairment impacts the provision of services and long-term outcomes of these children. Children with communication impairment are specifically identified in legislation and policy in the United States and United Kingdom; however, this is not the case in Australia. Current Australian legislation and policy does not adequately address the needs of children with communication impairment, particularly those with communication impairment of unknown origin. Australian allied health, education, and disability service providers often are left to interpret ambiguous policies to make a case for service delivery to such children. In addition, as Australian state and territory criteria for specialist services are becoming increasingly stringent, access for children with mild-moderate communication impairments is severely limited. Recently, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to a partnershi...