Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Advancing Speech Discrimination in Infants: The Role of fNIRS in Clinical Practice

Advancing Speech Discrimination in Infants: The Role of fNIRS in Clinical Practice

Introduction

In the realm of speech-language pathology, the ability to accurately assess speech discrimination in infants is pivotal. Early detection of speech and hearing impairments can significantly influence the trajectory of language development in children. A recent study, "Speech token detection and discrimination in individual infants using functional near-infrared spectroscopy" (fNIRS), published in Scientific Reports, offers promising insights into how this can be achieved objectively.

Understanding the Study

The study utilized fNIRS, a non-invasive imaging technique, to measure cortical responses in infants aged 2 to 10 months. This age group was chosen as they had passed newborn hearing screenings, ensuring a baseline of normal hearing ability. The infants were exposed to speech tokens while in a natural sleep state, using a habituation/dishabituation paradigm to assess their ability to detect and discriminate speech sounds.

Key Findings

Implications for Practice

For practitioners in speech-language pathology, these findings underscore the importance of integrating objective measures like fNIRS into clinical practice. The ability to assess speech discrimination in infants without relying on behavioral responses can streamline the process of diagnosing and intervening in cases of hearing impairment. This is crucial, as early intervention is key to maximizing language development outcomes.

Encouraging Further Research

While the study provides a solid foundation, it also opens avenues for further research. Practitioners are encouraged to explore how fNIRS can be refined and integrated into existing audiological test batteries. Additionally, research into optimizing test procedures and analysis techniques could enhance the clinical utility of fNIRS, making it a staple in pediatric audiology.

Conclusion

The study on fNIRS presents a promising step forward in objectively assessing speech detection and discrimination in infants. As practitioners, staying abreast of such advancements and contributing to ongoing research efforts can significantly impact the quality of care provided to children with potential hearing impairments.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Speech token detection and discrimination in individual infants using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.


Citation: Mao, D., Wunderlich, J., Savkovic, B., Jeffreys, E., Nicholls, N., Lee, O. W., Eager, M., & McKay, C. M. (2021). Speech token detection and discrimination in individual infants using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Scientific Reports, 11, 24006. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03595-z
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP