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Protocols for Speech Assessments

Pathologists use different protocols for speech assessments to determine problems with vocalization. Speech problems stem from a number of reasons and can afflict children, adults and senior citizens. Nasal and fluid issues can affect a person's speech, as can disabilities. As Internet communication continues to normalize, speech even affects technology. In the end, protocols are essential for assessing all speech concerns.

  1. Child Protocols

    • Children who have difficulty with articulation, problems stuttering or suffer other speech afflictions can profit from a professional assessment. According to Cincinnati Children's Organization, speech assessment protocols observe vocal resonance, check for tonsil swelling and how well oxygen passes through the nose. Children are even asked to put on headphones and speak into computer microphones so pathologists can carry out a "nasometric" appraisal. A nasal evaluation measures vocal sounds coming from the mouth and the nose at the same time. This evaluation can help pathologists determine breathing patterns, which is a key cause of poor speech.

    Disability Protocols

    • Disabled persons often suffer from poor speech. Various speech assessments can assist pathologists in helping disabled patients improve vocal patterns. Cleft-palate disorder is a chief example. Pathologists begin with examining oral cavity features. According to the University of Buffalo, these features include, but are not limited to: lips, teeth, tongue, larynx and the hard and soft palate. This examination helps to determine problems with hyper-nasality and consonant pronunciation. Rhinomanometry appraisals often result from these examinations. This appraisal assesses air pressure and flow as speech takes place to assist pathologists in training cleft-palate sufferers how to balance vocal tone.

    Radio Speech Protocols

    • Internet speech assessments are growing more important as digital communication continues to grow. Assessment for air traffic controllers are a prime example of professionals who communicate via radio technology, according to the Federal Aviation Commission. Intelligibility protocols are vital to making sure radio speech is crystal clear. These protocols examine receiver reaction delays and how uncompressed audio transfers from one radio to another. Radio speech assessment protocols are becoming even more relevant as analog to digital signal transitions continue to develop.

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