Diagnostic system for speech articulation and speech understanding

Abstract

With the increase in access to multimedia computers, speech training can be made available to patients with no continuous assistance required from speech therapists. Another function the system can easily perform is screening testing of speech fluency providing directed information to patients who have various speech disorders and problems with understanding speech. The idea underlying the proposed system is a programmed speech therapy training algorithm consisting of diagnostic tools and rehabilitation devices connected with it. The first function the system described in the paper has to perform is data acquisition where information about the patient’s medical history is collected. This is done through electronic questionnaires. The next function is analysis of the speech signal articulated by the patient when prompted by the computer followed by some multimedia tests carried out in order to assess the subject’s ability to understand speech. Next, the results of the electronic questionnaire, the patient’s voice, and the patients’ reactions are automatically analyzed, based on that the system automatically diagnoses possible speech disorders and how strong they are. A large number of schoolchildren were tested with this method. In the paper foundations of applied speech testing method and obtained results will be demonstrated.