News for ASL Interpreters

Actor Vocal Training for the Habilitation of Speech in Adolescent Users of Cochlear Implants

Holt, C. M., Dowell, R. C. — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:09:40 +0000

This study examined changes to speech production in adolescents with hearing impairment following a period of actor vocal training. In addition to vocal parameters, the study also investigated changes to psychosocial factors such as confidence, self-esteem, and anxiety. The group were adolescent users of cochlear implants (mean age at commencement of training 15.9 years), with approximately half of the group wearing a hearing aid in the contralateral ear. The mean age of implantation of the group was 7.6 years and the participants displayed a range of speech production abilities. Evaluation of posttraining outcomes was performed via a combination of perceptual and acoustic analyses. Significant posttraining changes to vocal parameters included increased pitch range and variability and decreased speaking rate. From a psychosocial perspective, posttraining stress levels were significantly lowered. This study suggested that actor vocal training may benefit young people with hearing impairment, both in the way in which they use their voices and in the way in which they view themselves.

FCC Rejects SVRS’s Request for Stay of VRS Rates

edsalert — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:50:20 +0000

All..

From previous FCC announcement.

"Sorenson filed a Motion for Stay of the effective date of the 2010-2011 VRS compensation rates and rules. Sorenson asked the Commission to continue providing VRS compensation pursuant to rates and rules in effect on June 30, 2010, pending review of the Order by the court of appeals. Sorenson also said it will consider the motion denied unless the Commission acts on it by July 9, 2010."

FCC responded and rejected the motion as moot. Here is the link.

FCC Rejects

"Finally, we have a serious concern that Sorenson’s alleged financial difficulties may be of its own making. Sorenson claims that it will suffer a revenue shortfall of between $20 and $25 million below what is needed to meet its financial obligations. However, publicly available financial information reveals that earlier this year it paid a voluntary $179 million dividend to a private equity fund with an ownership interest in Sorenson. It paid out that money – and acquired substantial new debt – in the face of both the Commission’s 2009 NPRM seeking comment on whether VRS rates should be lowered and the knowledge that the 2007 rates would be expiring and likely would be reduced within a few months. Moreover, Sorenson pays interest on the large amount of debt it has taken on – more than $1 billion and perhaps as much as $1.5 billion. Some of that debt apparently was taken on in order to fund the recent dividend. Sorenson has not shown that its claimed costs, which include interest and dividend payments, are the result of sound business decisions, or that it would be unable to renegotiate its financial commitments or reduce its costs in ways that do not affect its service."

and the conclusion:

"For the foregoing reasons, Sorenson’s motion for a stay of the Interim Rate Order is DENIED, and Sorenson’s request for establishment of different rates for 2010-2011, in order to fill the gap created by the requested stay, is DISMISSED AS MOOT."

Wow – strong words. Strongly suggest you read the whole contents and understand where the FCC is coming from.

eyes open & thumbs up,

Pragmatic Abilities of Children With Hearing Loss Using Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids Compared to Hearing Children

Most, T., Shina-August, E., Meilijson, S. — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:18:33 +0000

This study characterized the profile of pragmatic abilities among 24 children with hearing loss (HL) aged 6.3–9.4 years, 13 using hearing aids (HAs) and 11 using cochlear implants (CIs), in comparison to those of 13 hearing children with similar chronological and language ages. All the children with HL used spoken language, attended regular schools, and received communication therapy twice a week. They had no disabilities other than the HL. We assessed pragmatic abilities using the pragmatic protocol of C. A. Prutting & D. M. Kirchner (1987. A clinical appraisal of the pragmatic aspects of language. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 52, 105–119), which includes verbal, nonverbal, and paralinguistic aspects. Findings showed that children with HL used varied pragmatic functions but revealed more incidents of inappropriate use of the different abilities, compared to hearing children. Intergroup differences were significant only for verbal parameters. No differences emerged between children who used CIs vs. HAs. It seems that the CI group had the same pragmatic abilities as severe HA children. The different or less effective pragmatic abilities of children with HL may be explained by less flexible use of language structures, difficulties in theory of mind, difficulties in auditory perception of spoken language, and less exposure to varied pragmatic situations and strategies. Results indicated the need to incorporate pragmatic communication abilities into rehabilitation programs.