Search Results (64)

Background: Dyslexia is a reading disorder that is associated with phonological processing and awareness difficulties. However, little is known about phonetic production in dyslexia. Whereas individual differences in speech sound perception were linked to native and foreign speech sound production in typical readers, this remains to be explored in dyslexia. Given the phonetic processing deficits frequently encountered in dyslexia, we aimed to pinpoint potential differences in the acoustic realization of native phonemic production in adults with dyslexia. Methods: Ten adults with dyslexia and ten age-matched typical readers produced 24 native-language minimal voiced–voiceless word pairs across three places of articulation (labial, dental, velar) in a reading task. Acoustic analyses addressed phonemic category size, between-category distance, and voice onset time (VOT). Pseudoword reading performance served as an index of phonological decoding ability. Results: For category size, we observed a trend-level group-by-type interaction (p = 0.059, η² = 0.04): both groups showed larger category sizes for voiced than voiceless consonants, but this difference was numerically larger in typical readers. Between-category distance showed a marginal group effect (p = 0.089, η² = 0.14), with larger differences between categories in dyslexia. VOT showed the expected effect of voicing, but no group differences. Conclusions: Our results indicate broadly preserved speech production in dyslexia, alongside subtle differences in category separation and size in dyslexia, marked by considerable inter-individual variability. Full article

Speech sound disorder (SSD) is common in childhood and can persist, adversely affecting language, literacy, and social functioning. Yet consonant error patterns in school-age children, particularly in non-English-speaking populations, remain insufficiently characterized. Short-term memory (STM) supports phonological processing and speech learning, but its relationship with SSD severity in school-age children is not well established. This study profiles consonant errors and short-term memory in school-age Chinese children with SSD and examines short-term memory correlates and predictors of disorder severity to inform targeted interventions. A total of 142 Mandarin-speaking school-age children with SSD were recruited. For the short-term memory analyses, we randomly selected 70 children with SSD and recruited 70 typically developing controls. Speech was assessed using a word-level picture-naming task to derive consonant accuracy and characterize error types/patterns, and short-term memory was measured with the WISC-IV Digit Span (forward and backward). Substitutions predominated for most consonants, and individual phonemes often exhibited co-occurring error patterns. In addition, school-age children with SSD showed significantly poorer short-term memory than typically developing peers across multiple indices. Notably, backward digit span was positively associated with consonant accuracy and remained an independent predictor of consonant accuracy. These results advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying SSD and provide an evidence-based rationale for future interventions that combine speech-focused therapy with cognitive training to enhance clinical outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental disorder of speech fluency. It emerges most commonly between 2 and 5 years old, often causing social exclusion and stigma. In Latin America, cultural misconceptions regarding its causes exacerbate these psychosocial challenges. This study validated a culturally adapted instrument for Chile to measure public attitudes toward stuttering. The instrument provides a psychometrically sound method to assess and address stigma within educational and community settings. Methods: A total of 756 Chilean adults (mean age = 36.7 years, SD = 15.8; 64% women, 36% men) were recruited using stratified probability sampling to reflect the national demographics. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. The subsection underwent rigorous cross-cultural adaptation (translation, expert review, cognitive debriefing n = 30, pre-testing n = 50). Analysis employed polychoric matrices, EFA, CFA with WLSMV, and multiple reliability/validity indices. Results: Joint analysis showed poor fit (CFI = 0.72, RMSEA = 0.12), confirming independence. Beliefs (14 items): three-factor CFA fit excellent (CFI = 0.993, RMSEA = 0.034); factors: competence/normality (α = 0.85), psychological causes (α = 0.78), and help/support (α = 0.72). Reactions (11 items): four-factor fit adequate (CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.043); factors: distant concern (α = 0.82), personal concern (α = 0.79), media sources (α = 0.75), and formal sources (α = 0.77). Validity was supported; bifactor models favored multidimensionality. Conclusions: The adapted subsection is psychometrically robust and effectively captures Chilean-specific attitudes toward childhood stuttering. It provides a reliable tool for quantifying public stigma and misconceptions, particularly in educational and school contexts, thereby supporting the design of targeted school-based policies and interventions to reduce bullying, promote inclusion, and safeguard the psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents who stutter. Full article

Background/Objectives: Speech-evoked brain potentials provide a window into the neural encoding of speech, experience-dependent plasticity, and deficits in central auditory processing from communication disorders. Stronger and faster frequency-following responses (FFRs) and cortical event-related potentials (ERPs) have been interpreted as reflecting more robust and efficient auditory–sensory processing across brainstem and cortical levels. Importantly, these neural signatures relate to real-world listening skills like speech-in-noise (SIN) perception. How functional FFR/ERPs relate to the underlying anatomical structures that generate these responses in brainstem and cortex is unknown. Methods: Using a multimodal imaging approach, we recorded FFRs and ERPs to clean and noise-degraded speech sounds to assess the strength of listeners’ neural encoding of speech at brainstem (FFR) and cortical (ERP) levels. MRI volumetrics of midbrain and transverse temporal gyrus (Heschl’s gyrus) quantified morphological variation in subcortical and cortical anatomy that underly these EEG potentials. We used the QuickSIN to assess behavioral SIN abilities. Results: We found larger and thicker right (but not left) Heschl’s gyrus was related to listeners’ SIN perception as well as the size of their cortical ERPs. Structural and functional measures interacted at a subcortical level. For listeners with smaller midbrain volumes, larger speech FFRs were associated with better QuickSIN scores, whereas in individuals with larger midbrain volumes, larger FFRs were related to poorer QuickSIN scores. Conclusions: Our findings reveal common functional signatures of speech sound processing (FFRs, ERPs) are related to the anatomy of their underlying generator sources and suggest that both auditory brain structure and function can account for perceptual SIN capacity. Full article

Background and Objectives: Children with specific learning disorders (SLD) often present a history of speech and language deficits. However, systematic evidence on the co-occurrence among distinct learning and communication disorders remains limited. This study aimed to describe the associations among reading, spelling, and math disorders and their relationships with clinically diagnosed speech sound and language disorders and speech sound disorders in a large, well-characterized clinical sample. Methods: 235 3rd- to 8th-grade Italian children with SLD participated in the study. They were categorized in terms of learning (reading, spelling, and math) and comorbid communication disorders (speech sound, and language disorders), according to established diagnostic criteria. Prevalence rates were assessed for each of the resulting subgroups. Results: Comorbidity between the three learning disorders was very frequent; 75.4% of children showed different forms of multiple SLDs, with 47.7% presenting a combined reading, spelling, and math disorder. Communication disorders were reported in 40.4% of the sample. Both language and speech sound disorders frequently co-occurred with spelling disorders, whereas associations with isolated reading or math disorders were more infrequent. Additionally, speech sound disorders frequently co-occurred with isolated spelling disorders, whereas language disorders frequently co-occurred with comorbid spelling disorders. Conclusions: Consistent with previous evidence, the study shows that learning disorders are highly comorbid with communication disorders. Critically, speech and language disorders are most frequently comorbid with spelling disorder, independent of reading and math deficits, highlighting spelling as a potential key interface between phonology, language, and learning. Full article

The central auditory system integrates signals received from both ears to derive information about the spatial and spectral features of the emitting sound source. This binaural processing of acoustic information is critical for both communication and environmental awareness. However, these binaural computations may become disrupted in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), potentially leading to difficulties with speech perception, sound attention, and sensory hypersensitivity. Here, we present a narrative review of the emerging evidence regarding binaural processing deficits in ASD. These deficits include elevated thresholds for interaural time and level differences and reduced sound localization accuracy. In addition, physiological data suggests that these behavioral traits correspond with abnormal activity in central auditory structures. Molecular and cellular alterations to central auditory circuits may underlie these behavioral and physiological features, which could arise from both genetic and environmental factors. Overall, binaural processing alterations in ASD remain under-studied, with a need for future studies to identify neural circuit-level mechanisms and potential interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: In recent years, MRI-based diffusion-weighted tractography techniques have uncovered additional white matter pathways that have significant roles in language processing and production. In this review, we aim to outline the major language centers of the brain and major language pathways along with association tracts that serve dual roles in both the language and limbic systems. According to the current dual-stream model of language processing, the brain’s language network is organized into a dorsal stream, responsible for mapping sound to articulation, and a ventral stream, which maps sound to meaning. Materials and Methods: The literature cited in this manuscript was identified through targeted searches of the PubMed database. Priority was given to peer-reviewed human studies, including original neuroimaging, cadaveric validation, and intraoperative stimulation studies. Non-peer-reviewed sources and publications lacking clear anatomical or functional correlation to language pathways were excluded. Results: Advances in functional MRI and diffusion weighted imaging techniques have revealed a more interconnected network, expanding our understanding beyond the classical dual-stream model of language processing. The Kamali limbic model proposed distinct ventral and dorsal limbic networks. Notably, several fiber pathways within the ventral limbic network may subserve both language and limbic functions. The association tracts with dual limbic-language functions form a critical basis for understanding the pathophysiology of language disorders accompanied by cognitive and emotional comorbidities observed in dyslexia, speech apraxia, aphasia, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: Visualizing the language center and interconnected dual language and limbic fiber tracts highlights the importance of integrating language, executive function, and emotion in developing disease models and designing effective, targeted treatments for patients. Full article

Background/objectives: Speech sound disorder (SSD) and developmental language disorder (DLD) are common childhood disorders of communication that can also co-occur. This study investigated the reported content, format and delivery of UK speech and language therapists’ (SaLTs) practice when delivering intervention for pre-school children with co-occurring SSD/DLD features when expressive vocabulary and speech comprehensibility are prioritised areas. The findings can be used to inform the development of future interventions and enable reflection on current practice. Methods: A quantitative online survey via Qualtrics enabled the statistical analysis of intervention components from SaLTs from across the UK. The survey questions were based on prior research and the input of an expert steering group. The data were analysed through descriptive statistics. Results: There were 108 full responses from across the UK. For both target areas, the responses highlighted a preference for functional intervention targets, holistic delivery of intervention techniques in different environments, and incorporation of techniques into a variety of activities. Most respondents (97.5%) reported that they would also target phonological awareness (PA), with syllable segmentation being the most commonly reported PA target area for inclusion. Overall, 82.4% of respondents said they would consider dosage when providing their intervention. Conclusions: The findings highlight similarities in UK SaLT practice when targeting aspects of both speech (comprehensibility) and language (expressive vocabulary) concurrently, and an emphasis on functional communication, in addition to being guided by developmental norms. The implications for clinical practice and the development of future interventions are discussed. Full article

Background and Objectives: Speech sound disorders, particularly dislalia (DIS), often stem from multifactorial anatomical, functional, and emotional causes during child development. Early identification of risk factors can improve therapy outcomes and prevent long-term communicative and social impairments. This study aimed to assess the relationship between structural (orofacial anomalies, dental arch morphology, and gonial angle (GA)), emotional, and therapeutic variables as predictors of DIS and its subtypes in children aged 5–12 years. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 121 pediatric subjects (58 boys; 63 girls; median age 7.5 years) using clinical examination, standardized speech assessments, emotional-behavioral questionnaires, and radiological imaging(GA measurement). Associations between DIS types, TMJ function, anatomical variation, and therapy outcomes were analyzed using chi-square tests (χ²), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Cleft-type (OR = 21.43; p = 0.003), asymmetrical (OR = 14.66; p = 0.004), and crossbite arches (OR = 6.43; p = 0.013) significantly predicted DIS. A GA > 130° and <120° trended toward increased speech and motor dysfunction (OR = 4.67; p = 0.086). Emotional dysregulation (ED) moderately increased the functional temporomandibular joint dysfunction (FTMJD) risk (OR = 2.26; p = 0.060). Early therapy initiation (<7 years) and FTMDJ normalization were consistently associated with superior speech improvement outcomes (OR = 3.10 and 2.40; p < 0.01). Conclusions: DIS is strongly impacted by structural craniofacial anomalies, particularly cleft-type arches and severe jaw angle deviations. Our findings provide evidence that preliminary personalized approaches and emotional regulation may be beneficial for improving treatment outcomes. These exploratory associations support the rationale for interdisciplinary screening in pediatric populations, but confirmation in multicentric and longitudinal studies is needed. Full article

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and test a surface electromyography (sEMG) assessment protocol to characterise the activity of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles (suprahyoid and infrahyoid) during phonatory tasks and vocal techniques. Methodology: The protocol of assessment was based on electromyographic assessment guidelines and on clinical voice evaluation needs and was tested in six healthy adults with no vocal disorders. Surface electromyographic activity of suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles was acquired during different reference tasks (rest, reading, maximum contractions) and six vocal tasks, including nasal sounds, fricatives, and semi-occluded vocal tract exercises. A laryngeal accelerometer was used for detecting the beginning and end of each exercise. The average activity during each task was normalised by the signal obtained in the incomplete swallowing task for the SHM and by the sniff technique for the IHM. Results: The range of activation values varied across tasks, with higher percentages observed in plosive production and in the “spaghetti” technique, while nasal and fricative sounds tended to show lower activation values within the group. A consistent pattern of simultaneous activation of suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles was observed during phonation. Conclusions: The protocol proved potential for clinical application in speech–language pathology as it enabled the characterisation of muscle activity in determinant muscles for vocal function. Larger samples and further validation of the time-marking system are needed. This study provides a foundation for integrating sEMG measures into functional voice assessment. Full article

Background: Children diagnosed with Speech Sound Disorders (SSDs) encounter difficulties in speech perception, especially when listening in the presence of background noise. Recommended protocols for auditory processing evaluation include behavioral linguistic and speech processing tests, as well as objective electrophysiological measures. The present study compared the auditory processing profiles of children with SSD and typically developing (TD) children using a battery of behavioral language and auditory tests combined with auditory evoked responses. Methods: Forty (40) parents of 7–10 years old Greek Cypriot children completed parent questionnaires related to their children’s listening; their children completed an assessment comprising language, phonology, auditory processing, and auditory evoked responses. The experimental group included 24 children with a history of SSDs; the control group consisted of 16 TD children. Results: Three factors significantly differentiated SSD from TD children: Factor 1 (auditory processing screening), Factor 5 (phonological awareness), and Factor 13 (Auditory Brainstem Response—ABR wave V latency). Among these, Factor 1 consistently predicted SSD classification both independently and in combined models, indicating strong ecological and diagnostic relevance. This predictive power suggests real-world listening behaviors are central to SSD differentiation. The significant correlation between Factor 5 and Factor 13 may suggest an interaction between auditory processing at the brainstem level and higher-order phonological manipulation. Conclusions: This research underscores the diagnostic significance of integrating behavioral and physiological metrics through dimensional and predictive methodologies. Factor 1, which focuses on authentic listening environments, was identified as the strongest predictor. These results advocate for the inclusion of ecologically valid listening items in the screening for APD. Poor discrimination of speech in noise imposes discrepancies between incoming auditory information and retained phonological representations, which disrupts the implicit processing mechanisms that align auditory input with phonological representations stored in memory. Speech and language pathologists can incorporate pertinent auditory processing assessment findings to identify potential language-processing challenges and formulate more effective therapeutic intervention strategies. Full article

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impairments in social communication, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. Despite increased awareness, timely diagnosis in Türkiye remains limited due to the lack of culturally appropriate, psychometrically robust assessment tools. Objective: This study aimed to develop, validate, and standardize the Autism Behavior Assessment Scale (ABAS) as a reliable and culturally adapted tool for assessing ASD-related behaviors in individuals aged 3–24 years in Türkiye. Methods: Employing a three-phase, nine-step scale development framework, data were gathered from 1275 informants (parents and professionals) across 14 provinces. The ABAS comprises 36 items rated on a three-point Likert scale, spanning four subscales: Restricted Repetitive Behaviors & Sensory Sensitivity (RRBSS), Social Interaction (SI), Social Communication (SC), and Non-Developmental Speech (NDS). Psychometric analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, reliability testing, and validation against established instruments. Results: The four-factor structure was confirmed via EFA and CFA with excellent model fit. The ABAS demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.91–0.96), test–retest reliability (r = 0.83), and criterion validity (r = 0.93 with GARS-2-TV; r = 0.84 with U-ODKL). Discriminant validity analyses showed that the ABAS accurately differentiated individuals with ASD from individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and individuals with hearing impairments (AUC = 0.99). Conclusions: The ABAS is a psychometrically sound, developmentally sensitive, and culturally grounded instrument for identifying and monitoring ASD-related behaviors in Türkiye. It holds promise for improving early detection and guiding educational and clinical interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Identifying and classifying abnormal lung sounds is essential for diagnosing patients with respiratory disorders. In particular, the simultaneous recording of auscultation signals from multiple clinically relevant positions offers greater diagnostic potential compared to traditional single-channel measurements. This study aims to improve the accuracy of respiratory sound classification by leveraging multichannel signals and capturing positional characteristics from multiple sites in the same patient. Methods: We evaluated the performance of respiratory sound classification using multichannel lung sound data with a deep learning model that combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM), based on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs). We analyzed the impact of the number and placement of channels on classification performance. Results: The results demonstrated that using four-channel recordings improved accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1-score by approximately 1.11, 1.15, 1.05, 1.08, and 1.13 times, respectively, compared to using three, two, or single-channel recordings. Conclusions: This study confirms that multichannel data capture a richer set of features corresponding to various respiratory sound characteristics, leading to significantly improved classification performance. The proposed method holds promise for enhancing sound classification accuracy not only in clinical applications but also in broader domains such as speech and audio processing. Full article

Recent advancements in data collection technologies, data science, and speech processing have fueled significant interest in the computational analysis of biological sounds. This enhanced analytical capability shows promise for improved understanding and detection of various pathological conditions, extending beyond traditional speech analysis to encompass other forms of acoustic data. A particularly promising and rapidly evolving area is the application of deep learning techniques for the detection and analysis of diverse pathologies, including respiratory, cardiac, and neurological disorders, through sound processing. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art in using deep learning for pathology detection via analysis of biological sounds. It highlights key successes achieved in the field, identifies existing challenges and limitations, and discusses potential future research directions. This review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians working in this interdisciplinary domain. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Motor Speech Hierarchy (MSH) Probe Words (PWs) have yet to be validated as effective in discriminating between children with impaired and children with typically developing speech motor control. This preliminary study first examined the effectiveness of the mandibular control subtest of the MSH-PWs in distinguishing between typically developing (TD) and speech sound-disordered (SSD) children aged between 3 years 0 months and 3 years 6 months. Secondly, we compared automatically derived kinematic measures of jaw range and control with MSH-PW consensus scoring to assist in identifying deficits in mandibular control. Methods: Forty-one children with TD speech and 13 with SSD produced the 10 words of the mandibular stage of the MSH-PWs. A consensus team of speech pathologists observed video recordings of the words to score motor speech control and phonetic accuracy, as detailed in the MSH-PW scoring criteria. Specific measures of jaw and lip movements during speech were also extracted to derive the objective measurements, with agreement between the perceptual and objective measures of jaw range and jaw control evaluated. Results: A significant difference between TD and SSD groups was found for jaw range (p = 0.006), voicing transitions (p = 0.004) and total mandibular scores (p = 0.015). SSD and TD group discrimination was significant (at alpha = 0.01) with a balanced classification accuracy of 0.79. Initial analysis indicates objective kinematic measures using facial tracking show good agreement with perceptual judgements of jaw range and jaw control. Conclusions: The preliminary data indicate the MSH-PWs can discriminate TD speech from SSD at the level of mandibular control and can be used by clinicians to assess motor speech control. Further investigation of objective measures to support perceptual scoring is indicated. Full article