Rita L. Bailey

Acoustic Changes Related to Laryngeal Examination with a Rigid Telescope

The influence on voice quality of the insertion of endoscopic equipment with tongue anchoring and head position requirements during endoscopic evaluation has not been fully investigated. The present study attempted to examine the influence of: (1) the presence of a rigid endoscope and tongue anchoring, and (2) the angle of position technique (70-degree and 90-degree) on participants’ vocal output during sustained production of the vowel /i/. Five acoustic measurements including fundamental frequency (F₀) values, percent jitter values, relative average perturbation of F₀ shimmer, and noise-to-harmonic ratios were used to represent participants’ voice quality. Results indicated that F₀ values were significantly influenced by the angle of sitting position, while percent jitter values, relative average perturbation of F₀, shimmer, and noise- to-harmonic ratios were affected by the presence of a rigid endoscope and tongue anchoring.

Multimedia Effectiveness in an AAC Preservice Setting

This study investigated the effectiveness of the CD, Families, Culture and AAC, as a culturally sensitive teaching tool for students enrolled in a speech-language pathology AAC course. Students enrolled in the course were divided into three learning format groups that (a) viewed the CD and engaged in learning challenges independently, (b) viewed the CD in class, and (c) had lecture only. Students took objective pre-post tests and also answered essay questions over the material after it was presented. Results indicated that the independent group made significantly smaller gains in pretest-posttest scores related to cultural content than did either the in-class viewing or the lecture group. No significant differences were found by learning group to answers to essay questions. Results are discussed and suggestions are given for appropriate classroom use of the CD.