title: Effects of computer-assisted speech training on Mandarin-speaking hearing-impaired children.
abstract: The present study investigated whether moderate amounts of computer-assisted speech training can improve the speech recognition performance of hearing-impaired children. Ten Mandarin-speaking children (3 hearing aid users and 7 cochlear implant users) participated in the study. Training was conducted at home using a personal computer for half an hour per day, 5 days per week, for a period of 10 weeks. Results showed significant improvements in subjects' vowel, consonant, and tone recognition performance after training. The improved performance was largely retained for 2 months after training was completed. These results suggest that moderate amounts of auditory training, using a computer-based auditory rehabilitation tool with minimal supervision, can be effective in improving the speech performance of hearing-impaired children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jiunn-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hui-Mei
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yi-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Qian-Jie
authors.initials: QJ
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013624:Taiwan; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods