Research in AAC
Implementing Speech Supplementation Strategies in Speakers with Reduced Intelligibility
What are the goals of the project?
The goal of this research is to examine the impact of AAC strategies on the intelligibility of
speakers with chronic dysarthria. Specifically, this project will investigate the extent to which
the actual implementation of a) alphabet cues, b) topic cues, and c) simultaneous use of alphabet
and topic cues (combined cues) improves intelligibility for a series of speakers with moderate to
severe dysarthria. Previous research has demonstrated that each of these strategies significantly
enhances speech intelligibility when each is experimentally superimposed on the habitual auditory
speech signal of talkers with dysarthria (Hustad, 1999; Hustad & Beukelman, 2000). However,
little is known about the efficacy of these strategies when speakers with dysarthria actually
implement them in conversational speech and typical listeners are able to see and hear speakers,
as would be the case in natural communication exchanges.
What is the project plan?
Speakers with dysarthria who have compromised speech intelligibility are being recruited for this
study on an ongoing basis. Speakers who qualify for the study are taught each of the strategies
and video recordings with and without use of strategies are obtained. Data regarding
intelligibility and perceptions of communication effectiveness are collected from listeners who
view videotapes of individual speakers. This data is then analyzed within individual speakers
and, ultimately, across all speakers. In addition, patterns of similarity and difference with
respect to individual and group data will be studied.
What is the potential impact of this research?
Results of this research will provide information regarding the magnitude of benefit from speech
supplementation strategies as well as listener perceptions of speakers using each strategy.
These results will have direct implications for clinical practice in speech language pathology
because each of these speech supplementation strategies, should clinical implementation prove
effective, can be readily used in any clinical setting without special assistive technology and
minimal augmentative communication expertise. Ultimately, improvements in intelligibility and
communication effectiveness will reduce the impact of underlying neuro-motor impairments on
functional communication for individuals with chronic dysarthria.
Who is working on the project?
The project team consists of Katherine C. Hustad, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and a number of graduate
students, including Rhonda Carlson, Suzanne Dailey, and Tabitha Jones.
What is the funding source?
This project is supported by the Department of Communication Disorders at Penn State University.
What is the timeline for the project?
Data from all speakers and listeners will be completed by December 2001.
Where can I find out more about the project?
For more information, contact Katherine Hustad. KCH2@psu.edu
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