title: The Effect of Information and Severity on Perception of Speakers With Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of severity of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) and information about it on unfamiliar listeners' attitudes about speakers' personal characteristics, perceived vocal effort, and listener comfort on the basis of ratings of speech recordings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen women with ADSD and 5 controls provided speech samples. Forty-five unfamiliar listeners were randomized into 3 groups. Listeners in Group 1 received no information, listeners in Group 2 were told that some speakers had voice disorders or had no voice concerns, and listeners in Group 3 were provided diagnostic labels for each speaker and information about ADSD. Listeners then rated speech samples for attitudes, perceived vocal effort, and listener comfort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Speakers with ADSD were judged significantly worse than controls for attitudes related to "social desirability" and "intellect." There was no effect of severity on "personality" attributes. However, provision of a diagnostic label resulted in significantly more favorable personality ratings than when no label was provided. Perceived vocal effort and comfort became significantly more negative as ADSD severity increased. Finally, most listener ratings were unaffected by provision of additional information about ADSD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Listeners' perceptions about speakers with ADSD are difficult to change. Directions for counseling and public education need future study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Tanya L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Eadie
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Reyhaneh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajabzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA.
authors.forename: Derek D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Isetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Martin T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Nevdahl
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Carolyn R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Baylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002605:Character; D030881:Disclosure; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D013067:Speech Perception; D013068:Speech Production Measurement
chemical_list: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A