Speech Science Applications for Practicing Clinicians and Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology Students

Abstract

The advent of widely available, free, and user-friendly speech analysis software in the late 1990s has made it possible to perform acoustic analyses in clinical and educational settings. However, despite the widespread availability and relative ease of use of speech analysis programs, some clinicians are reluctant to adopt hands-on acoustic analyses into their practice. The purpose of the present paper is threefold: (1) to dispel the myth that speech science and acoustic analyses are difficult and only marginally useful for clinical practice, (2) to demonstrate the practical utility—even necessity—of acoustic analyses for practicing as well as future audiologists and speech-language pathologists, and (3) to briefly outline a highly interactive speech science course with integrated hands-on acoustic analyses. Today, more than ever before, a solid background in speech science and extensive experience with acoustic analyses is a necessary part of audiologists' and speech-language pathologists' education, because incorporating speech analyses can enhance clinical practice. Moreover, new technologies demand that clinicians understand the principles behind the programs they and their clients use.