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Language Comprehension in Language-Learning Impaired Children Improved with Acoustically Modified Speech

SciencePublished 5 January 1996
Paula Tallal, Steve Miller, Gail Bedi, Gary Byma, Xiaoqin Wang, Srikantan S. Nagarajan
Citations1,204
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score10.42
SNIP6.62

TL;DR

A speech processing algorithm was developed to create more salient versions of the rapidly changing elements in the acoustic waveform of speech that have been shown to be deficiently processed by language-learning impaired (LLI) children.

Abstract

A speech processing algorithm was developed to create more salient versions of the rapidly changing elements in the acoustic waveform of speech that have been shown to be deficiently processed by language-learning impaired (LLI) children. LLI children received extensive daily training, over a 4-week period, with listening exercises in which all speech was translated into this synthetic form. They also received daily training with computer "games" designed to adaptively drive improvements in temporal processing thresholds. Significant improvements in speech discrimination and language comprehension abilities were demonstrated in two independent groups of LLI children.

Keywords

Psychology