Social and vocational acceptability of esophageal speakers compared to normal speakers.

Abstract

This study explored the social and vocational acceptability of esophageal compared to normal speakers. Of specific interest was the estimation of the effect of (1) visual, auditory, and simultaneous audio-visual presentation of the speakers, and (2) simple expository introductions of the speakers. A group of 480 subjects, members of business and professional men’s groups, evaluated the four speakers on one social and three vocational criteria. Statistical analysis indicated the esophageal speakers were perceived as being significantly less acceptable than the normal speakers regardless of whether the judgments were based on visual, auditory, or simultaneous visual and auditory impressions. Information about the esophageal speakers significantly raised their acceptability, with the exception of the criterion of public contact in employment. The criterion measures used in this study might serve as objective indicators of the degree to which communicative disorders handicap adults.