title: Multiple phonetically trained-listener comparisons of speech before and after articulatory intervention in two children with repaired submucous cleft palate.
abstract: Cleft Palate (CP) assessments based on phonetic transcription are the "gold standard" therapy outcome measure, despite reliability difficulties. Here we propose a novel perceptual evaluation, applied to ultrasound-visual biofeedback (U-VBF) therapy and therapy using visual articulatory models (VAMs) for two children with repaired submucous CP. Three comparisons were made: post VAM, post U-VBF and overall pre- and post-therapy. Twenty-two phonetically-trained listeners were asked to determine whether pre- or post-therapy recordings sounded "closer to the English target", using their own implicit phonological knowledge (prompted via orthographic representation). Results are compared with segment-oriented percent target consonant correct (PTCC) derived from phonetic transcriptions. Listener judgements and PTCC suggest that both children made improvements using both VAM and U-VBF. Statistical analysis showed listener agreement in each comparison, though agreement was weak. However, perceptual evaluation offers a straightforward method of evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and can be used by phonetically trained or lay listeners.
authors.affiliation: a Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language Research Centre, Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh , Scotland.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Roxburgh
authors.affiliation: a Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language Research Centre, Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh , Scotland.|b School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde , Glasgow , Scotland.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.affiliation: a Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language Research Centre, Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh , Scotland.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Scobbie
mesh_terms: D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002648:Child; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D010700:Phonetics; D013060:Speech; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Cleft palate; perceptual speech evaluation; ultrasound; visual articulatory models