| Abstract | Acoustic analyses of speech are valuable tools in the field of speech-language pathology, providing non-invasive and accessible quantitative measures of voice. Alongside auditory-perceptual methods and other assessment techniques, these analyses can help characterize laryngeal pathologies, inform clinical intervention, track progress throughout the course of treatment, and serve as outcomes for documentation purposes.
However, a noticeable gap exists between research advancements in acoustic metric analysis and its practical application in clinical settings. Two popular software options for calculating acoustic metrics are PRAAT and PENTAX Medical’s Analysis of Dysphonia in Speech and Voice (ADSV). However, the lack of objective clinical guidelines for using these software options to perform acoustic analyses or interpret outcomes limits clinical and research implementation. Although acoustic analysis holds significant promise in speech-language pathology, more user-friendly and accessible tools and guidelines are necessary for these analyses to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of vocal function and, in turn, aid in the development of tailored treatment plans for patients with various speech and voice disorders.
In this workshop, we will briefly discuss the current state-of-the-art in acoustic analysis and demonstrate its practical utility in real-time. Demonstrations will include performing acoustic analyses using popular and novel software options and interpreting acoustic outcomes in the context of clinical practice. Volunteers will record common speech stimuli, and we will calculate and display results and offer ideas for clinical application. We will also discuss technological limitations—such as expensive and specialized hardware, a lack of automated methods for acoustic metric calculation, and the demand for software-specific scripting or acoustic signal manipulation—that can prevent clinicians from obtaining a full picture of vocal function. Additionally, we will offer innovations in evidence-based acoustic measures, acoustic analysis platforms, and discuss future directions in this area. To conclude, we will emphasize the practical utility of evidence-based acoustic analysis methods, underscoring their role as a promising solution to meet the increasing demand for objective assessment tools.
|
|---|