A taxonomy of computer-based speech training systems is presented, based on the physical source of feedback, standards of evaluation, level and type of detail on which feedback is based, and the form and instructional context of feedback. Reasons for selecting a particular approach are discussed in relation to existing systems. (Author/JDD)

Laboratory results are presented which suggest that hearing-impaired individuals' speech perception can be enhanced through use of tactile aids with a number of tactile transducers conveying information about the spectral content of the speech signal, and speech production can be improved through experience using a multichannel tactile aid.…

Glossometry, a method of providing visual feedback of tongue positions, was used to teach four vowel sounds to six profoundly hearing-impaired children. After 15 to 20 50-minute training sessions, all subjects showed greater diversification of tongue postures for the vowels. Listener identifications were also generally better after therapy.…

The purpose of this comprehensive bibliography (approximately 200 items) is to facilitate the clinician's role in assessing and planning intervention for speech production of hard-of-hearing and deaf individuals. This set of references is alphabetized by separate categories that include articles, books, chapters in books and monographs. Consulting…

A voice training program to improve pitch register was developed for profoundly hearing-impaired young adults. Ten students of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf completed the program; results showed a significant reduction in pitch level, as well as improvement in pitch control and word intelligibility. (Author/JDD)

Design considerations for speech training systems include the types of information about speech to be used in training, whether acoustic or physiologic; and the use of models of speech production, whether partially perceptual and partially knowledge-based or explicit data-based models. A taxonomy of speech training systems is presented.…

Five profoundly hearing-impaired children were taught to speak seven consonant sounds using palatometry which allows learners to see tongue-to-palate contact patterns used in sound production. Results demonstrated that visual articulatory modeling and feedback of linguapalatal contact patterns is an effective means of teaching consonants and…

The "Visual Phonics" system, which uses 43 hand cues and corresponding written symbols to help deaf students improve their speech and reading skills, was evaluated with six deaf upper elementary grade students in a speech therapy program. Pre- and posttesting indicated substantially improved articulation both with and without hand cues.…

This paper outlines six speech training guidelines to enhance oral communication development in children wearing cochlear implants. Specific teaching activities are presented to illustrate each guideline and recommended therapy tools are described. (Author)

Describes how phonics can help deaf students in both speech production and reading despite their inability to obtain auditory feedback. Successful deaf graduate students are reported to use tactile-kinesthetic feedback in interpreting phonetic information. Teachers of younger students are urged to emphasize speech instruction (even if speech is…

Sixteen severely-to-profoundly hearing-impaired students, aged 7-8, received training using a curriculum for remediating monotone voice. Some students also used visual or tactile sensory aids. All students evidenced marked improvement in remediating monotonous pitch, with those using the curriculum in conjunction with a tactile display showing the…

This brief article answers frequently asked questions concerning computer based speech training (CBST) for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It describes CBST in general, explains how CBST differs from previous systems, describes some specific CBST devices, reports on existing effectiveness data, provides cost data, and offers suggestions for…

Three prelinguistic, profoundly deaf children (aged three to four) used a wearable, single channel, vibrotactile communication aid in conjunction with hearing aids during individual speech and language therapy at school. Subjects exhibited a faster than average rate of learning to understand spoken language after the onset of vibrotactile…

Cochlear implants have tremendous potential to aid profoundly deaf students in achieving competency in using spoken communication. Children with cochlear implants do not perceive sound in the same way as normal hearing individuals do, and realizing their potential requires long-term intensive instruction and the utilization of a multidisciplinary…

This booklet presents knowledge, attitudes, and educational ideas on how to give deaf children the support they need to develop. It focuses on the fundamental and comprehensive needs of deaf children, using methods and ideas that can be adjusted to countries without great technical resources. The first chapter examines the importance of language…