The use of time-expanded speech in the identification of part-word repetitions of stutterers

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to explore the possibility of using time-expanded speech to aid clinicians in the identification of one-, two-, and three-unit repetitions of stutterers. Tape-recorded samples of nine stutterers (five adults and four children) were time-expanded to 0%, 150%, and 200% of original time. Thirty graduate student clinicians listened individually to the speech samples under the three listening conditions. The three conditions were presented in a counterbalanced order. Clinicians were asked to indicate each occurrence of one-, two-, or three-unit part-word repetitions on a response sheet. Results indicated that time expansion of the stutterers' speech by 150% or 200% of the original time resulted in significantly ( P < 0.05) more accurate identification of one-unit part-word repetitions. Time expansion did not, however, provide a perceptual advantage for the identification of two- and three-unit part-word repetitions. Implications for clinical application and further investigation are discussed.