Speech Level Research Articles

Quantifying neurobehavioral profiles across neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes and idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorders.

To examine neurobehavioral findings in three genetic syndromes (PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, Malan syndrome [mutations in the NFIX gene], and SYNGAP1-related disorder), a mixed group of other neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes (NDGS), idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorder, and neurotypical control participants. Using a longitudinal case-control design, caregivers reported neurobehavioral information for 498 participants (PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome n = 112, Malan syndrome n = 24, SYNGAP1-related disorder n = 47, other NDGS n = 72, idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorder n = 54, neurotypical siblings n = 74, and unrelated neurotypical control participants n = 115) at three timepoints (baseline, and 1-month and 4-month follow-ups) using the online-administered Neurobehavioral Evaluation Tool (NET). NET scales had good scale and test-retest reliability. Unique patterns of neurobehavioral findings emerged, with SYNGAP1-related disorder and Malan syndrome showing generally more severe symptom and skill patterns than for other groups of patients. Patterns could be partly accounted for by estimated cognitive level, speech level, and the presence of autism spectrum disorder. However, even when accounting for these factors, group differences remained. Reliable change indices are reported. Genetic syndromes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders present with unique neurobehavioral profiles that can inform selection of outcome measures in future clinical trials. The NET may be a useful screening and monitoring instrument in clinical practice, where frequent in-person clinic attendance is difficult for many patients.

The Pronunciation Problems Encounter EFL Learners in Spoken English at University

This research examines the pronunciation difficulties of EFL undergraduate learners at universities when pronouncing English phonemes. It collects data using recorded speech samples, pronunciation tests and questionnaires as part of a research method for collecting data. The instruments used for this study are collecting data and analyzing them. The test materials are prepared in speech levels. Therefore, the observations of these were based on auditory impressions. The results suggest that the participants had a pronunciation challenge with the phonemes in English. This research gives insights and supports ESL teachers in developing teaching techniques that will lessen or eliminate future issues with Arabic speakers' pronunciation of English phonemes.

Drivers of hate speech in political conversations on Twitter: the case of the 2022 Italian general election

We study the prevalence and characteristics of toxic speech on Twitter in the run-up to the 2022 Italian General election. We analyzed over 8.5 M tweets shared by 450k unique users and employed a machine learning classifier to estimate the toxicity score of their messages. We found that supporters of different political coalitions exhibit varying levels of toxic speech, sending between 6-8% of toxic messages overall. Notably, Centre-Left politicians received more toxic messages on average, with the largest target of hate receiving over 15,000 toxic replies. We employed Generalized Linear Models to study factors that drive hate speech to political targets, finding that, importantly, politicians employing more abusive and harmful language are also more likely to attract more inflammatory speech. Our findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to address hate speech online, fostering healthier dialogue and safeguarding democratic discourse.

A revised online tool for room acoustic prediction of open-plan offices

Room acoustic conditions in open-plan offices are usually measured using ISO 3382-3 standard. The essential single-number quantities obtained from the measurement are comfort distance and distraction distance. Their values can also be predicted using a regression model of Keränen & Hongisto (2013). The prediction accuracy of the model has been proven to be high. The input variables for the model are simple to obtain: room dimensions, screen height, ceiling absorption, vertical absorption, speech level, and background noise level. The prediction model was published online in 2008 but withdrawn in 2013. Since then, we have been repeatedly asked to return the online tool. Since the standard was updated in 2022, we developed a revised online tool that predicts the single-number values of ISO 3382-3 standard. The purpose of this study is to present the online tool and validate its reliability by comparing online tool results to previously published results. The comparison shows that the online tool results agree with the above-mentioned studies. Therefore, the online tool can be safely used. It is a valuable aid in workplace design, demonstrations, research, and education.

The role of person-related factors and acoustic parameters on students' perception: a pilot study

Classrooms are dynamic spaces where the sound environment not only influences the comprehension of the teacher's message but also shapes the social and emotional atmosphere within the class. This pilot study investigates the sound perception of students within classrooms, considering both person-related and acoustic objective factors as predictors. Thirty-four students from two grade-four classes of a primary school in Pavia, Italy, participated in this study, completing a questionnaire assessing the perceived pleasantness, arousal and loudness within the classroom. Person-related factors such as noise sensitivity, working memory, theory of mind, and language skills were also evaluated separately. Sound levels in occupied conditions were monitored and processed using Gaussian Mixture Models to separate teacher speech levels from students' activity. Additionally, acoustic parameters including reverberation time and clarity were measured in unoccupied conditions. Person-related factors were analysed in relation to subjective evaluations, considering the potential mediating effect of the classroom sound environment. The results of this study will offer insights into the complex interplay between person-related characteristics and the sound environment, shedding light on factors beyond noise interferences that impact students' subjective perception in educational settings.

A Lesson Design on the Subject of Climate Change as a Course Unit in Language Teaching

Aim. The purpose of this qualitative research is the preparation, implementation and evaluation of a present-related lesson focused on the selection of the subject of climate change for elective German courses taught in universities. For climate change, the issues of sustainability and peace are also important. It is important to address these issues in educational institutions. The dove of peace is an important figure. Methods. In this research the document analysis technique was used. The research on the subject of climate change, sustainability and peace in the context of relation to the present was taken up during the winter semester of 2022/2023 academic year in the elective German courses of the researcher at Hacettepe University. Results. The successful contribution of the lesson planning model already mentioned in this article was also observed in the teaching activities at primary and secondary schools conducted earlier. The participants discussed climate change, sustainability, and peace. Conclusion. It was observed that the participants voluntarily talked about climate change, sustainability, and peace. It is important to state that the interest of the participants in German courses continued. Originality. German language courses are offered as a foreign language learning practice and elective foreign language courses in schools, private institutions, and universities in Turkey. Participants from all the departments of the Hacettepe university voluntarily attended the elective German language classes. To conduct the German courses effectively, a suitable method should be developed to help the participants who come from different countries having various levels of fluent speech.

Velopharyngeal Gap Size During Sustained Vowel Production Correlates With Perceptual Ratings of Hypernasality in Connected Speech.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceptual ratings of hypernasality made during connected speech and velopharyngeal (VP) gap size measured in millimeters in the sagittal plane during sustained vowel production using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was completed. A subgroup of 110 participants from another study with an Mage of 10.1 years presenting for management of VP insufficiency was included. Perceptual ratings of hypernasality during connected speech and measurement of gap size during sustained /i/ production on MRI were performed by raters blinded to the participants' medical and surgical history. There was a moderate-to-strong, positive correlation (r = .61; p < .001) between hypernasality ratings and VP gap size measured on MRI using sustained /i/. The odds of a higher hypernasality rating increased as the gap size increased (odds ratio = 1.34; 95% CI [1.20, 1.49]; p < .001). The predicted probability for hypernasality ratings of none/minimal/mild steadily decreased as the gap size increased indicating that lower ratings of hypernasality were associated with smaller gap sizes. For the rating of "moderate" hypernasality, the predicted probability of the rating steadily increased up to 8 mm and then decreased as the gap size continued to increase. The predicted probability for a hypernasality rating of "severe" consistently increased as the gap size increased. Hypernasality ratings made at the connected speech level were significantly associated with VP gap size as measured during sustained vowel production. These findings suggest sustained vowel production elicited on MRI may adequately characterize VP gap size in the evaluation of VP insufficiency.

Speak Up: How Hearing Loss and the Lack of Hearing Aids Affect Conversations in Quiet.

The study examines the effect of hearing loss and hearing aid (HA) amplification on the conversational dynamics between hearing-impaired (HI) and normal-hearing (NH) interlocutors. Combining data from the current and a prior study, we explore how the speech levels of both interlocutors correlate and relate to HI interlocutors' degree of hearing loss. Sixteen pairs of younger NH and elderly HI interlocutors conversed in quiet, with the HI interlocutor either unaided or wearing HAs. We analyzed the effect of hearing status and HA amplification on the conversational dynamics, including turn-taking times (floor-transfer offsets), utterance lengths, and speech levels. Furthermore, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the speech levels using combined data sets from the current and previously published data by Petersen, MacDonald, and Sørensen (2022). Unaided HI interlocutors were slower and more variable at timing their turns, but wearing HAs reduced the differences between the HI and NH interlocutors. Conversations were less interactive, and pairs were slower at solving the conversational tasks when the HI interlocutor was unaided. Both interlocutors spoke louder when the HI interlocutor was unaided. The speech level of the NH interlocutors was related to that of the HI interlocutors, with the HI speech levels also correlating with their own degree of hearing loss. Despite typically being unchallenging for HI individuals, one-on-one conversations in quiet were impacted by the HI interlocutor not wearing HAs. Additionally, combining data sets revealed that NH interlocutors adjusted their speech level to match that of HI interlocutors.

Human Values Mentioned in the Holy Quran and their Contemporary interpretation

In every society, there are fundamental values that strengthen it, shaping its culture, habits, transactions, beliefs, and ethics in a particular direction. The Quran is the divine word of Allah, revealed in the Arabic language to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the angel Gabriel. Undoubtedly, it provides guidance towards the straight path, filled with high morals, beautiful manners, and sublime human qualities. By human values, we mean the common moral and collective virtues and characteristics that define the culture of individuals, their tendencies and preferences, their behavior, mutual relations, their society, country and Ummah, but also with all humanity. They positively affect the relations of the people and they provide the guarantee of peace and prosperity, stability and civilizational development to all human beings. All these human values have been presented by the Holy Qur'an, Islam has adopted them in all its commands and teachings and has implemented them in all worships and matters at the level of speech, action and belief. Among the human values that the Holy Quran has guided are human dignity and dignity, religious tolerance, peace, international peace and security, dialogue, mutual mercy, justice and equality, goodness and beneficence, adherence to agreements, prohibition of corruption. , being equipped with sincerity and honesty are prominently included. These are the basic morals that the Prophets and Messengers were distinguished by and this is the subject of this discussion.

DECODING THE SEMANTIC VOLUME OF NOUNS WITH THE VERBAL MODALITY MÜSSEN: THE SYNERGISTIC DIMENSION OF LEAST EFFORT

The presented work is one of the stages of noun research within a certain verbal modality. The focus of the article lies in the study of the generating noun content in relation to the verbal modality müssen in German from the perspective of linguosynergetic scientific paradigm, which considers language as a complex dynamic system capable of self-organization and self-regulation. In this study methodologically important is the position that the synergetic law of making the least effort and conservation of speech energy is the driving factor of language development. In a synergetic sense, the author of the article draws parallels between the dictionary as a representative of the linguistic generalization of the structured amount of knowledge of the learned extraverbal reality and the mental lexicon, which is not an arbitrary accumulation of contributions, but constitutes a structured hierarchical system of such contributions. If lexical units in the synergetic sense and their meanings at the language level contain coded structured information, then in the same aspect the paper considers the implementation of the word in one of its meanings at the speech level as information decoding. The linguosynergetic format of the research proposed in this article assumes that language as a self-regulating system under the influence of external energy and information has developed a mechanism of different representations of nouns in syntactic constructions with different verbal modality in German-language fiction and press. The results obtained on the basis of the synergetic-quantitative approach are extrapolated to linguosynergetic models of self-organization of noun names according to the principle of minimization of efforts, which directs the human mental lexicon to optimal decoding of semantic volume of polysemic or monosemic nouns in relation to the verbal modality müssen in German-language fiction and press. It was proved that since the closest distances in the lexical structure of a word at the linguistic level are the closest in comparison with the structures of knowledge of the human mental lexicon, the construction of noun content in modern German on the synergetic principle of conservation of speech energy and minimization of efforts is the most optimal way of directing the mental lexicon of a person to decoding the semantic scope of the closets (main) meanings of the polysemic and unambiguous monosemic word models.

Joyful Learning Model for Javanese Speech Levels Course

As one of Indonesia’s cultural heritages, regional languages, including Javanese, need to be preserved. The cultural richness of Javanese includes the politeness and manners values, as reflected in the so-called unggah-ungguh (speech levels). While it is taught as a course in the country’s 12-year mandatory education, the teaching and learning process still follows the traditional, less appealing model. This research aims to create a Javanese speech levels learning model based on joyful learning. The model was both innovative and entertaining. The research used R&amp;D ADDIE design with the following steps: analysis, designing, development, implementation, and evaluation. The model was developed based on two philosophies: progressivism and analytic philosophy. Syntagmatic, social system, support system, reaction principle, instructional impact, and accompaniment impact served as the model's components. Orientation, presentation of material, explanation of how to play, playing vocabulary, playing sentences, dialogue, assessment, and reflection comprised the syntagmatic model. The principles of joyful learning and the norms of honing, loving, and nurturing are included in the model social system. The model reaction principle included the teacher serving as a facilitator, planner, and assessor. Tools, media, and learning resources are all part of the model support system. Some of the instructional effects were increased Javanese vocabulary, fun learning activities, and some impacts of model accompaniment, including increased emotional sharpness, imagination, and cooperation.

Listening Effort Measured With Pupillometry in Cochlear Implant Users Depends on Sound Level, But Not on the Signal to Noise Ratio When Using the Matrix Test.

We investigated whether listening effort is dependent on task difficulty for cochlear implant (CI) users when using the Matrix speech-in-noise test. To this end, we measured peak pupil dilation (PPD) at a wide range of signal to noise ratios (SNR) by systematically changing the noise level at a constant speech level, and vice versa. A group of mostly elderly CI users performed the Dutch/Flemish Matrix test in quiet and in multitalker babble at different SNRs. SNRs were set relative to the speech-recognition threshold (SRT), namely at SRT, and 5 and 10 dB above SRT (0 dB, +5 dB, and +10 dB re SRT). The latter 2 conditions were obtained by either varying speech level (at a fixed noise level of 60 dBA) or by varying noise level (with a fixed speech level). We compared these PPDs with those of a group of typical hearing (TH) listeners. In addition, listening effort was assessed with subjective ratings on a Likert scale. PPD for the CI group did not significantly depend on SNR, whereas SNR significantly affected PPDs for TH listeners. Subjective effort ratings depended significantly on SNR for both groups. For CI users, PPDs were significantly larger, and effort was rated higher when speech was varied, and noise was fixed for CI users. By contrast, for TH listeners effort ratings were significantly higher and performance scores lower when noise was varied, and speech was fixed. The lack of a significant effect of varying SNR on PPD suggests that the Matrix test may not be a feasible speech test for measuring listening effort with pupillometric measures for CI users. A rating test appeared more promising in this population, corroborating earlier reports that subjective measures may reflect different dimensions of listening effort than pupil dilation. Establishing the SNR by varying speech or noise level can have subtle, but significant effects on measures of listening effort, and these effects can differ between TH listeners and CI users.

Somānanda’s Critique of Bhartṛhari’s Doctrine of the Levels of Speech

Somānanda, a famous Kashmiri philosopher of the 10th century CE and the founder of the Pratyabhijñā tradition, criticized Bhartṛhari’s view that the paśyantī speech was identical to Brahman. Later Pratyabhijñā philosophers adopted Bhartṛhari’s doctrine of the three levels of speech and added a fourth level — the Supreme Speech (parā vāc). Modern scholars of Pratyabhijñā usually believe that Bhartṛhari was aware of the fourth level of speech and that Somānanda criticized him because he did not know his works properly. The article describes the doctrine of speech levels in Bhartṛhari’s Vākyapadīya and in the commentaries, as well as the evolution of this doctrine in the works of Kashmiri philosophers. No traces of the fourth level of speech can be found in Bhartṛhari’s work. It can be suggested that Somānanda in his critique highlighted the ambiguous ontological status of speech in Bhartṛhari’s linguistic philosophy.

Not Everybody Has an Inner Voice: Behavioral Consequences of Anendophasia

It is commonly assumed that inner speech—the experience of thought as occurring in a natural language—is a human universal. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the experience of inner speech in adults varies from near constant to nonexistent. We propose a name for a lack of the experience of inner speech—anendophasia—and report four studies examining some of its behavioral consequences. We found that adults who reported low levels of inner speech (N = 46) had lower performance on a verbal working memory task and more difficulty performing rhyme judgments compared with adults who reported high levels of inner speech (N = 47). Task-switching performance—previously linked to endogenous verbal cueing—and categorical effects on perceptual judgments were unrelated to differences in inner speech.

Determination of cyberloafing level of speech and Language Therapy Department students

Cyberloafing is the use of (e.g. smartphones, tablets, laptops, and the Internet) for purposes other than work related reasons during work hours. Although cyberloafing in the workplace has been widely investigated, there is relatively a small number of studies on cyberloafing behaviors in educational settings, which refer to students' tendencies to use technology for non-class-related purposes during lectures. The goal of the current study is to determine how frequently and for what purposes speech and language therapy (SLT) students at Biruni University engage in cyberloafing during lectures. In this quantitative study, The Cyberloafing Scale was administered to 264 undergraduate students (235 female; 27 male; 2 preferred not to disclose). The results revealed that SLT students’ cyberloafing behavior was very high. However, there is no statistically significant difference between the gender variable and the overall mean score for cyberloafing. There is a statistically significant difference between genders in gaming/gambling subscale favoring males and in shopping subscale favoring females. Further studies should be conducted to analyze cyberloafing behavior in health education.

Simplified expressions of uncertainty for single number quantities in ISO 3382-3 (2022).

The ISO 3382-3 (2022) standard defines single number quantities (SNQs) characterizing the spatial decay of speech (D2S, LpAS4m, rC) and of its intelligibility (rD). The standard assesses the accuracy of the measurement using a unique uncertainty value for each SNQ, relying on a round-robin test performed in a single office. To make this assessment more accurate, analytical expressions have been established by applying the law of propagation of uncertainty. These expressions, although precise, are too complex to be included in the standard. This work consists of their simplification, relying on 95 measurements conducted in 36 companies in France and Germany. First, the terms associated with distance measurement uncertainties were found to be negligible. Second, the estimation of the uncertainties of A-weighted speech levels and Speech Transmission Index, based on the measurements made at the workstations constituting the 95 paths, enabled further simplifications. Finally, simplified expressions turn out to be as accurate as the original expressions, and the estimated uncertainties are comparable to those reported by Yadav et al. (2019). If a unique value of uncertainty is to be retained for each SNQ, this study suggests 0.6 dB for D2S and LpAS4m, 7% for rC, and 10% for rD.

Investigating conversational dynamics in triads: Effects of noise, hearing impairment, and hearing aids.

Communication is an important part of everyday life and requires a rapid and coordinated interplay between interlocutors to ensure a successful conversation. Here, we investigate whether increased communication difficulty caused by additional background noise, hearing impairment, and not providing adequate hearing-aid (HA) processing affected the dynamics of a group conversation between one hearing-impaired (HI) and two normal-hearing (NH) interlocutors. Free conversations were recorded from 25 triads communicating at low (50 dBC SPL) or high (75 dBC SPL) levels of canteen noise. In conversations at low noise levels, the HI interlocutor was either unaided or aided. In conversations at high noise levels, the HI interlocutor either experienced omnidirectional or directional sound processing. Results showed that HI interlocutors generally spoke more and initiated their turn faster, but with more variability, than the NH interlocutors. Increasing the noise level resulted in generally higher speech levels, but more so for the NH than for the HI interlocutors. Higher background noise also affected the HI interlocutors' ability to speak in longer turns. When the HI interlocutors were unaided at low noise levels, both HI and NH interlocutors spoke louder, while receiving directional sound processing at high levels of noise only reduced the speech level of the HI interlocutor. In conclusion, noise, hearing impairment, and hearing-aid processing mainly affected speech levels, while the remaining measures of conversational dynamics (FTO median, FTO IQR, turn duration, and speaking time) were unaffected. Hence, although experiencing large changes in communication difficulty, the conversational dynamics of the free triadic conversations remain relatively stable.

Objective verification of audibility in bone conduction devices

Objective To objectively measure audibility in patients wearing bone conduction devices (BCDs) with a new approach using a skin microphone at the patient’s forehead. Design The skin microphone was attached by a softband and shielded by an earmuff. This set-up was confirmed not to be influenced by neither noise floor nor sound bypassing the BCD. Sound field warble tones were used for measuring aided hearing thresholds and maximum power output (MPO) whereas an international speech test signal (ISTS) was presented at different speech levels. Study sample 29 patients were tested (two were bilateral), 19 used percutaneous, eight used active transcutaneous and two used passive transcutaneous devices. Results The skin microphone responses at ISTS levels, hearing threshold and MPO, could be obtained in all patients. Two patients with poor audibility are highlighted in this article as examples. After adjusting the gain of the BCD, they were retested with the skin microphone (for verification) and with speech-in-noise tests (for validation). Both tests confirmed an improved audibility after the adjustments. Conclusion In summary, the proposed measurement of audibility of speech using a skin microphone is a promising method that can be used in a clinical setting for all types of BCDs.

A Follow-Up Study of Children Diagnosed with Delayed Speech and Language

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the current health status of children with normal peripheral hearing who were referred to the audiology clinic with complaints of speech and language delay in early childhood.&#x0D; Methods: The data of a retrospective file review in which the information of 105 children with normal hearing ages 12-60 months referred to the Audiology Clinic with complaints of speech and language delay were used in the study. After the initial diagnosis of delayed speech and language (approximately two years), their medical condition was assessed through semi-structured telephone interviews. The obtained data are presented with descriptive statistics.&#x0D; Results: Out of 105 children, 54 (51.4%) were diagnosed with other additional diagnoses including; autism spectrum disorder:21 (20%), general developmental delay: 13 (12.3%), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder: 9 (8.5%), epilepsy: 4 (3.8%).7 (6.6%) of children followed from endocrine, neurology, genetics, cardiology, nephrology and ophthalmology departments. 51 children (48.57%) have achieved the average level of speech and language development with interventions such as speech and language therapy and/or social support in the following period, and they do not currently have any medical follow-up. &#x0D; Conclusion: The results indicated that cases where children who apply with the complaint of speech and language delay may have additional diagnoses in the future, or they can achieve the average level of speech and language development with specialist interventions. Long-term follow-up of this delay is important in terms of providing effective communication skills and the probability of being a diagnostic marker.

Reference Data for a Quick Speech-in-Noise Hearing Test in the French Language

Introduction: Difficulty in understanding speech in noise is the most common complaint of people with hearing impairment. Thus, there is a need for tests of speech-in-noise ability in clinical settings, which have to be evaluated for each language. Here, a reference dataset is presented for a quick speech-in-noise test in the French language (Vocale Rapide dans le Bruit, VRB; Leclercq, Renard, & Vincent, 2018). Methods: A large cohort (N = 641) was tested in a nationwide multicentric study. The cohort comprised normal-hearing individuals and individuals with a broad range of symmetrical hearing losses. Short everyday sentences embedded in babble noise were presented over a spatial array of loudspeakers. Speech level was kept constant, while noise level was progressively increased over a range of signal-to-noise ratios. The signal-to-noise ratio for which 50% of keywords could be correctly reported (speech reception threshold, SRT) was derived from psychometric functions. Other audiometric measures were collected for the cohort, such as audiograms and speech-in-quiet performance. Results: The VRB test was both sensitive and reliable, as shown by the steep slope of the psychometric functions and by the high test-retest consistency across sentence lists. Correlation analyses showed that pure tone averages derived from the audiograms explained 74% of the SRT variance over the whole cohort, but only 29% for individuals with clinically normal audiograms. SRTs were then compared to recent guidelines from the French Society of Audiology [Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2022;139(1):21–7]. Among individuals who would not have qualified for hearing aid prescription based on their audiogram or speech intelligibility in quiet, 18.4% were now eligible as they displayed SRTs in noise impaired by 3 dB or more. For individuals with borderline audiograms, between 20 dB HL and 30 dB HL, the prevalence of impaired SRTs increased to 71.4%. Finally, even though five lists are recommended for clinical use, a minute-long screening using only one VRB list detected 98.6% of impaired SRTs. Conclusion: The reference data suggest that VRB testing can be used to identify individuals with speech-in-noise impairment.