Assessment and Development of a Speech Training Aid for the Deaf: A Pilot Study

摘要

A pilot study was carried out on the effectiveness of using visual feedback displayed by a microprocessor based device - the Speech and Timing Aid (STA). A trial was made on a group of profoundly deaf children who were trained in the correct production of fricatives and the voicing distinction under a regime of intensive speech training which lasted 6 months, conducted by two speech therapists. A total of 16 subjects were selected and divided into three groups. The first group (E) used intensive training and the STA, the second group (C1) used intensive training alone while the third group (C2) were given no special training. Process in articulation was evaluated by several perceptual and physical tests.