In the realm of speech therapy, data-driven insights are crucial for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. One recent study, "The Effect of Altered Auditory Feedback of Voice Focus on Nasalance Scores," published in the Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (CJSLPA), provides valuable findings that could significantly improve the treatment of hypernasality in children. Let's delve into the research and explore how practitioners can implement these insights to create better outcomes for their young clients.
Voice focus refers to the perceived brightness or throatiness of the voice. In this study, researchers Tim Bressmann and Mia Sara Misic investigated whether electronically altered auditory feedback of voice focus could prompt speakers to adjust their voice focus and how this adjustment would affect nasalance scores. Nasalance scores measure the oral-nasal balance in speech, which is crucial for addressing hypernasality.
The study involved twenty females with normal speech who wore a Nasometer headset and headphones. They repeated a sentence containing both oral and nasal sounds while their auditory feedback was gradually altered to a more forward or backward voice focus. The findings were significant:
- Forward voice focus feedback resulted in lower nasalance scores.
- Backward voice focus feedback also led to a reduction in nasalance scores, although to a lesser extent.
These results suggest that altered auditory feedback can induce voice focus adjustments that lead to lower nasalance scores. This has profound implications for speech therapy, particularly for treating hypernasality, which can be challenging due to the lack of conscious proprioceptive awareness of the velopharyngeal mechanism.
So, how can practitioners implement these findings in their therapy sessions?
Practical Applications
Here are some actionable steps for integrating altered auditory feedback into speech therapy:
- Incorporate Technology: Utilize devices that provide real-time auditory feedback, such as voice transformers, to help clients adjust their voice focus.
- Gradual Adjustment: Gradually alter the auditory feedback during therapy sessions to help clients adapt to the new voice focus without overwhelming them.
- Monitor Progress: Use nasalance scores to track improvements and adjust the therapy plan as needed.
- Encourage Practice: Provide clients with exercises they can practice at home, reinforcing the new voice focus adjustments.
Future research should continue to explore the potential of altered auditory feedback in treating hypernasality, especially in children with cleft palate or other structural anomalies. Combining altered nasal signal level feedback with voice focus feedback could further enhance therapeutic outcomes.
By staying informed about the latest research and incorporating evidence-based practices, speech therapists can significantly improve the quality of life for their young clients. The journey towards better speech outcomes is a collaborative effort, and every small step forward makes a big difference.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The Effect of Altered Auditory Feedback of Voice Focus on Nasalance Scores
