2008 Year in Review
The Science of Communication Disorders
Departmental Researchers
The Department of Communication Disorders
Maggie-Lee Huckabee PhD:
[email protected]
Neural and biomechanical effects of behavioral
intervention for swallowing impairment
The Department of Communication Disorders serves New Zealand and the world through excellence and
innovation in scholarship, teaching and public service.
Emily Lin PhD: [email protected]
Laryngeal physiology and pathophysiology, voice
synthesis, enhancement, and measurement
Students are educated and challenged to excel in professional practice and disciplinary research related to
disorders of hearing, speech, language, and swallowing. Academic curricula and research supervision is provided
by full-time doctoral faculty and highly skilled clinical educators.
With a burgeoning post-graduate programme and acquisition of new doctoral level faculty in diverse areas of
the profession, our research profile is rapidly expanding.
Valerie Looi PhD: [email protected]
Cochlear implants, music perception, clinical and
research methods
We are excited to offer this summary of our recent research activity to demonstrate to the academic, clinical
and medical communities our commitment to research excellence. Any queries can be directed to individual
researchers identified above or Maggie-Lee Huckabee, as Chair of the department Research Committee.
Margaret Maclagan PhD:
[email protected]
Acoustic analysis of vowel systems in NZ English,
Historical analysis of NZ English
Distinguished Visitors
Megan McAuliffe PhD:
[email protected]
Motor speech disorders, factors influencing speech
perception of disordered speech, and perceptual
learning
Catherine Moran PhD:
[email protected]
Language development and language disorders in
adolescence, traumatic brain injury
Greg O’Beirne PhD:
[email protected]
Cochlear mechanics and homeostasis,
electrophysiology and evoked potentials, audiological
instrumentation and psychophysical testing,
intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring
Tika Ormond M ED – BSc(hons), PG Dip tert tchg:
[email protected]
Clinical methods and outcomes of voice and fluency
interventions; clinical teaching
Michael Robb PhD: [email protected]
Speech acquisition, experimental phonetics,
stuttering, speech acoustics and speech motor
control
Dean Sutherland PhD:
[email protected]
Augmentative and alternative communication
The following academics joined the department in 2008 to contribute to teaching and
research.
Prof. Frank Musiek: University of Connecticut, USA
Prof. Dianne Van Tasell: University of Arizona, USA
Assoc. Prof. Lynne Hewitt: Bowling Green State University, USA
Prof. James Mahshie: Gallaudet University, USA
Prof. Keith Kuhlmeier: Johns Hopkins Medicine, USA
Dr. Thomas Klee: Newcastle University, UK
Prof. Stephanie Stokes: Newcastle University, UK
Prof. John Bamford: University of Manchester, UK
Prof. Larry Humes: Indiana University, USA
Index For This Issue:
At a Glance:
Grants Funded 2
Successful Grants 10
Conference Presentations 4
Conference presentations 37
Peer Reviewed Publications 9
Peer reviewed publications 35
Gina Tillard MSLT: [email protected]
Clinical methods and teaching; functional outcomes
of motor speech intervention
Other Publications 17
Other publications 8
New Developments/Collaborations
18
New Developments 7
Christine Wyles MBSLT, PGDip in Rehabilitation:
[email protected]
Aphasia and dementia related communication and
nutrition disorders
Awards, scholarships 19
Awards Scholarships 7
Thesis Completions 20
Completed Theses 18
2008 Year in Review
1
Grants Funded
Billinghurst, M., Moran, C., Gostomski, P., Basu, A.
Innovation in Immersive Learning Tertiary Education
Commission $1.77 million
Catherine Moran and Jonny Grady are recipients of
a Tertiary Education Commission Fund along with
colleagues from the University of Canterbury,
The University of Auckland and others. The grant
explores ways to use immersive learning environments
and technology in education. Specifically, the grant
will explore the use of virtual patients in the training of
audiology students.
Goel, E. “Monitoring Potential Noise Induced
Hearing Loss in Gymnasium Goers.”, Oticon
Foundation Grant, $4,800. Supervisor: Lin, E.
This longitudinal study is designed to monitor the effect
of noise exposure on the hearing of aerobic class goers.
The sensitivity of conventional puretone audiometry and
distortion product otoacoustic emissions in detecting
early signs of noise-induced hearing loss are compared.
Huckabee, M.L., Robb, M.P. Transcranial Magnetic
stimulation induced motorevoked potentials from
the submental muscle group in young adults with
spasticand dystonic Cerebral Palsy and age and
gender matched controls: a pilot study. University of
Canterbury Summer Scholarship Scheme, $4,000.
This pilot project will evaluated submental motor
evoked potentials in individuals with corticobulbar
spastic and dystonic cerebral palsy and age and
gender-matched healthy controls. These data will
inform the development of novel treatment approaches
for dysphagia and dysarthria based on the inhibition
of neuromuscular impairment using neuromuscular
electrical stimulation.
Lin, E. Relationship between Singer Power Ratio and
Vocal Tract Constriction, University of Canterbury
Summer Studentship, $3,000
This project includes an acoustic measure of the
“singer’s formant” and other acoustic and physiological
measures to investigate the relationship between
acoustic tuning and the vibratory pattern of vocal folds
and jaw movement. The speaking and singing voices
obtained from trained singers and untrained speakers
will be compared. The purpose of the study is to identify
the vocal tract configuration conductive to a healthy
form of voice production.
Looi, V., Bird, P. & Murray, D. Funding to establish the
Southern Cochlear Implant Research Trust. (20072009). Cochlear Ltd. $30 000 – $35 000 p/year.
Provision of funding each from Cochlear Ltd., towards
the Southern cochlear Implant Research Trust to cover
research expenses for cochlear implant related research
2
2008 Year in Review
Looi, V. Provision of cochlear implant testing
equipment to the Department. Med-El. $8000
Provision of clinical equipment for testing cochlear
implant recipents.
Looi, V. Provision of entire funding to undertake
the research study: A comparison of the CIS+ and
FSP strategy for music appreciation with MED-EL
cochlear implant users. Med-El. .
This study is designed to compare two current clinical
speech-processing strategies for music appreciation.
McAuliffe, M.J., Moran, C., & Anderson, T. Factors
influencing older listeners’ comprehension of
disordered speech associated with Parkinson’s
disease. Neurological Foundation of New Zealand.
Three year project grant, $62,625,
This study will examine the treatment of speech
disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease from
the perspective of the listener. It is anticipated
that the findings of this research will result in the
modification of existing techniques to account for
difficulties encountered by older listeners. While the
study focuses on dysarthria resulting from PD, the
research programme will ultimately be extended to the
development of new techniques in speech rehabilitation
that account for linguistic, cognitive, ecological, and
environmental factors.
McAuliffe, M.J. Auditory distraction and speech
intelligibility in dysarthria. College of Science
Internal Grant, University of Canterbury. $6,547,
Two critical and under-researched variables that
contribute to communication exchange are the
physical environment and aptitude of the listener to
decipher disordered speech. This study will provide
fundamental knowledge on the effect of the listening
environment and the listener upon the perceived
intelligibility of dysarthric speech. It will provide a basis
for the development of a novel listener-based speech
rehabilitation that accounts for everyday listening
conditions.
McAuliffe, M.J. Effect of background noise upon
older listeners’ comprehension of dysarthric speech.
University of Canterbury Summer Scholarship
Scheme, $4,000.
The Motor Speech Disorders Research Laboratory is
currently undertaking a series of studies investigating
the influence of environmental factors upon the
comprehension of dysarthric speech. This project
forms a segment of this line of research and aims
to: (1) Determine the effect of background noise
upon older listeners’ accuracy of identification and
speech processing time of dysarthric speech and
(2) Determine if improved listener accuracy in the
presence of background noise is related to superior
working memory ability.
Davis, B., & Maclagan, M. (2008). Stylistic usage
of pragmatic markers and habituated pauses:
performative functions retained by older and
oldest-old speakers. I North American Workshop on
Pragmatics, Toronto, October 3-5, 2008.
Doeltgen, SH, Huckabee, ML, Dalrymple-Alford,
J: Influence of Muscle Contraction on Motor
Evoked Potentials of the Submental Muscle Group.
Abstract. http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/
Abstracts2008.htm#Doeltgen. 26th International
Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research,
Queenstown, New Zealand, 23-27 August 2008.
Doeltgen, SH, Huckabee, ML, Dalrymple-Alford,
J: Muscle Contraction Influences Motor Evoked
Potentials of the Submental Muscle Group
Differentially. Abstract. New Zealand Medical Journal.
in press. Presented at the Canterbury Health Research
Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, September
24, 2008.
Doeltgen, S.H., Huckabee, M.L., & Ridding, M.C.
(2008). A Pilot Investigation of Triggering Methods
for Motor Evoked Potentials at the Submental Muscle
Group. In: Ridding, M. and Gandevia, S. “Motor
Control at the Top End” 2007 IBRO World Congress of
Neuroscience Satellite Meeting, Darwin, 18-21
July, 2007.
Doeltgen, S., Huckabee, M.L., Dalrymple-Alford, J.,
Ridding, M. & O’Beirne, G. (2008). Effects of eventrelated electrical stimulation on motor evoked
potentials at the submental muscle group. 16th
Annual Dysphagia Research Society, Isle of Palms, SC,
USA, March 5-8. published abstract: Dysphagia 23:
423-36.
Doeltgen, S., Huckabee, M. & Ridding, M. (2008).
A pilot investigation of triggering methods for
motor evoked potentials of the submental muscle
group. 16th Annual Dysphagia Research Society, Isle
of Palms, SC, USA, March 5-8. published abstract:
Dysphagia 23: 437-60.
Goel, E., Lin, E., & Pearse, J. (2008). Monitoring
Potential Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Gymnasium
Goers. Presentation (poster) at the American
Speech – Language and Hearing Association
Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA,
November 20-22, 2008.
Huckabee, M.L.. (2008). Dilemmas and Controversies
in the management of complex dysphagia. Invited
presentation at the American Speech-Language and
Hearing Association Annual Convention, Chicago,
Illinois, USA, November 20-22, 2008.
Huckabee, M.L.. (2008). The Videofluoroscopic
swallowing study. Invited presentation at the
1st Herzogenaurach Conference on Dysphagie,
Herzogenaurach, Germany, July 4-5, 2008.
Huckabee, M.L. (2008) New thinking on biofeedback
in swallowing rehabilitation.Invited presentation
at the American Speech-Language and Hearing
Association Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois,
USA, November 20-22, 2008.
Huckabee, M.L. (2008) Maximizing rehabilitative
efforts: Exteroceptive feedback and swallowing
rehabilitation. Invited presentation at the UK
Swallowing Research Group Conference, Manchester,
UK, February 7-8, 2008.
Huckabee, M.L. (2008). Behavioral training for
swallowing impairment. DRS invited presentation at
the 16th Annual Dysphagia Research Society, Isle of
Palms, SC, USA, March 5-8.
King, J., Maclagan, M., Harlow, R., Keegan, P. &
Watson, C. (2008). Kuia and koroua – who are the
vowel changed agents in the older Mäori generation?
11th New Zealand Language and Society Conference,
Dunedin, 17-18 November 2008.
King, J., Harlow, R., Watson, W., Keegan, P. &
Maclagan, M. (2008). Changing pronunciation of the
Mäori language: implications for revitalization. 15th
Annual Stablising Indigenous Languages Symposium.
Flagstaff, Arizona, 1-3 May, 2008, http://jan.ucc.nau.
edu/~jar/SIL15/SILS15program.pdf
Lin, E., & Lee, C.C. (2008). Relationship Between
Jaw Opening and Phonetic Complexity: A CrossLanguage Study. Presentation (poster) at the
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA,
November 20-22, 2008.
Lin, E. (2008). A Simultaneous Acoustic-EGG-Facial
Tracking and Airflow-EGG Comparison Study of
Speaking and Singing Voices. Presentation (poster) at
the Voice Foundation’s 37th Annual Symposium: Care
of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
USA, May 28-June 1, 2008.
Looi, V, & She, J. (2008). A questionnaire on the music
perception of adult cochlear implant users, and its
implications for a music training program. Invited
keynote address. The 2nd International Symposium
on Cochlear Implants and Music, Zurich, Switzerland.
Feb 6th – 7th 2008,.
Looi, V, & She, J. (2008). A questionnaire on music
perception and music training for adult cochlear
implant users. The 10th International Conference on
Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences, San Diego,
USA, 10-12 April, 2008.
Looi, V, & She, J. (2008). The sound of music as
reported by cochlear implant users. 12th World
Congress of Music Therapy, Buenos Aires, Brisbane,
22-26 July. 8
Conference Presentations
Cook, K., Moran, C., & McAuliffe, M.J. (2008). The
effects of auditory distraction on discourse retell
tasks following traumatic brain injury. American
Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention.
Chicago, Ill., USA, November 20-22, 2008.
2008 Year in Review
3
Conference Presentations
4
2008 Year in Review
McAuliffe, M.J., Good, P.V., O’Beirne, G.A., & LaPointe, L.L.
(accepted, 2007). Influence of auditory distraction upon
intelligibility ratings in dysarthria. Conference on Motor
Speech Disorders, Monterey, California (Mar, 2008).
Phoon, H. & Maclagan, M. (2008). The Phonology of
Malaysian English: A Preliminary Study. 13th International
Conference on English in south East Asia (ESEA 2008)
Singapore, Dec 4-6, 2008.
Maclagan, M., King, J. & Szakay, A. (2008). Mäori English:
perceptual features. 11th New Zealand Language and
Society Conference, Dunedin, 17-18 November, 2008.
Phoon, H. & Maclagan, M. (2008). A description of
Malaysian English Phonology. 11th New Zealand
Language and Society Conference, Dunedin, 17-18
November, 2008.
Maclagan, M., & King, J. (2008). Mäori English –
consistency and saliency of features. ALS, Sydney, July
2008.
Maclagan, M. (2008). The Inaugural Grace Gane lecture:
Reflecting connections with the local language. Invited
keynote address, NZSTA/SPA conference, May 2008,
Wellington.
Mataiti, H., Mcauliffe, M., & Tillard, G. (2008). Supervisor
characteristics valued by practising Speech Language
Therapists. Speech Pathology Australia-New Zealand
Speech-Language Therapists’ Association Joint
Conference. May 25th -29th, 2008
Mautner, H., Lin, E., Maclagan, M., & Anderson, T.
(2008). Effect of Open Jaw Posture on the Aging Voice.
Presented at the Canterbury Health Research Conference,
Christchurch, New Zealand, September 24, 2008.
McAuliffe M.J., Good, P.V., O’Beirne, G.A., & LaPointe,
L.L. (2008). Influence of auditory distraction upon
intelligibility ratings in dysarthria. Conference on
Motor Speech: Motor Speech Disorders & Speech Motor
Control. Monterey, CA, USA, March 6-9, 2008.
Moran, C., Cook, K., & McAuliffe, M. (2008). The Effects
of Auditory Distraction on Discourse Retell Tasks
Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Presentation (poster) at
the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA, November
20-22, 2008.
O’Beirne, G.A., Patuzzi, R.B. (2008). Regulation of
cochlear outer hair cells: Insights from mathematical
modelling. 26th International Australasian Winter
Conference on Brain Research, Queenstown, New
Zealand, 23-27 August 2008.
Robb, M. (2008). Pitfalls with past cry research and
current state of art. Presented at the 20th Biennial
International Society for the Study of Behavioral
Development (ISSBD) Meeting, Würzburg, Germany. July
13-17th, 2008.
Schaefer, M., & Robb, M. (2008). Stuttering
Characteristics of German-English Bilingual Speakers.
Presentation at the American Speech-Language and
Hearing Association Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois,
USA, November 20-22, 2008.
Sutherland, D. (2008). Phonological Development of a
child with complex communication needs. Presentation
(poster) at the American Speech-Language and Hearing
Association’s Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA,
November 20-22.
Sutherland, D. (2008). Undergraduate Curricula in
Speech-Language-Hearing: Reasons and Models for
Change. Invited Presentation at the American SpeechLanguage and Hearing Association’s Annual Convention,
Chicago, Illinois, USA, November 20-22.
Watson C., Maclagan, M., King, J. & Harlow, R. (2008).
The English pronunciation of successive groups of Mäori
speakers, INTERSPEECH, Sydney, Australia, September
22-26, 2008
Watson C., King J., Maclagan, M, Harlow, R and Keegan,
P (2008). Mäori women’s role in sound change IGALA,
Wellington, July 3-5, 2008
Watson, C., Harlow, R., Bauer, W., Maclagan, M., King,
J., and Keegan, P. (2008) Ka conversion – the changing
sound and rhythm of Mäori ? LabPhon Wellington, 30
June – 2 July 2008
O’Beirne, G.A.,& Patuzzi, R.B. (2008). In vivo effects
of hyperosmotic perilymph perfusion on hair cell
and neural potentials. 31st MidWinter Meeting of the
Association for Research in Otolaryngology. Phoenix,
Arizona, USA, 17th February 2008.
Lin, E., Yip, F., & McAuliffe, M.J. (2008). Impact of breath
group control on the speech of normals and individuals
with cerebral palsy. Presentation at the American
Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s Annual
Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA, November 20-22.
O’Beirne, G.A. (2008). Waveforms, Boltzmann functions,
and tuning curves – What electrophysiological measures
can tell us about auditory function. Brain Research
Forum, Christchurch School of Medicine & Health
Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1st December 2008.
Young, G., & Moran, C (2008). Intervention for wordfinding difficulties at singleword and discourse levels.
Paper presented at Reflecting Connections: Joint
Conference of the New Zealand Speech-Language
Therapists Association and Speech-Pathology Australia,
Auckland, May 25th -29th, 2008
O’Beirne, G.A. (2008). Update on Audiology at the
University of Canterbury. 32nd
Phaal, B., & Robb, M. (2008). Examination of Salivary
Cortisol Levels in Stuttering and Non-Stuttering Children.
Presented at the joint Speech Pathology Australlia and
New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ biennial
conference. Auckland, New Zealand. May 25th -29th,
2008
Zens, N., Gillon, G. & Moran, C. (2008). Treatment Effects
on Word Learning for Children With SLI. Presentation
at the American Speech-Language and Hearing
Association’s Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA,
November 20-22.
Zens, N., Gillon, G., & Moran, C. (2008). Intervention
effectiveness on Word Learning for children with
SLI. Paper presented at Reflecting Connections: Joint
Conference of the New Zealand Speech-Language
Therapists Association and Speech-Pathology Australia,
Auckland, May 25th -29th, 2008
This study investigated the experiences of a group of
tertiary teachers as they explored the use of 3D virtual
worlds as teaching and learning contexts. The findings
highlight the benefits of a collaborative approach to
inquirybased learning in an adult learning context.
Davis, B. & Maclagan, M. (in press) Examining pauses
in Alzheimer’s discourse.
American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and other
Dementias. This paper considers how pauses, both
filled and silent, function in narratives for speakers with
Alzheimer’s disease. Pauses can function as planning
at word, phrase, and narrative component levels and
as pragmatic compensation as other interactional and
narrative skills decrease.
Doeltgen, S.H., Ridding, M.C., O’Beirne, G.A.,
Dalrymple-Alford, J. & Huckabee, M.L. (in press). Testretest reliability of motor evoked potentials (MEPs)
at the submental muscle group during volitional
swallowing. Journal of Neuroscience Methods
doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2008.12.005
This study documents a novel methodological approach
of recording reliable intra – and inter-session MEPs at the
submental muscle group during taskrelated volitional
swallowing. Surface electromyography-triggered TMS
allows reliable measurement of MEP amplitude at the
submental muscle group within and across sessions when
muscles are pre-activated during volitional swallowing.
Doeltgen, S.H., Witte, U., Gumbley, F. & Huckabee,
M.L., (in press). Evaluation of manometric measures
during tongue hold swallows. American Journal
of Speech Language Pathology Oct 9 epub PMID:
18845700.
This manometric study investigated the immediate
effects of the tonguehold maneuver on pharyngeal peak
pressure generation, duration of pressure generation and
pressure slope measurements in 40 healthy volunteers.
Tongue-hold swallows produced lower pharyngeal peak
pressure and shorter pharyngeal pressure durations
compared to control swallows. Further, tongue-hold
swallows produced lower UES relaxation pressures.
Dwyer, C., Robb, M.P., Gilbert, H.R. & O’Beirne, G.A.,
(in press). The Relationship between Speaking Rate
and Measures of Nasality in Deaf Speakers. Journal of
Speech-Language, and Hearing Research.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether
deliberate increases in speaking rate would serve to
decrease the amount of nasality in the speech of severely
hearing impaired individuals. Results indicated that
nasality demonstrated by HI individuals is amenable to
change when speaking rate is increased.
Goberman, A., Johnson, S., Cannizzaro, M., & Robb,
M. (2008). The effect of positioning on acoustic
characteristics of infant pain cries. International
Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 72, 153-165.
This paper studied acoustic characteristics of infant pain
cries to determine the potential differences related to
prone versus supine positioning.Fiftyone newborn infant
cries were recorded during and following a blood draw
screening procedure, with infants placed either in the
supine or prone position. Overall, the acoustic differences
suggest decreased arousal and/or a decreased response to
pain for healthy infants recorded in the prone position.
Gumbley, F., Huckabee, M.L., Doeltgen, S.H., Witte,
U.L. & Moran, C. (2008). The influence of bolus size on
pharyngeal pressure generation. Dysphagia. Sep;23
(3):280-5.
This cross-sectional study investigated the effect of bolus
volume on contact pressure within the pharynx and upper
esophageal sphincter (UES) in 40 healthy participants
(gender equally represented and between the ages of 20
and 45 years). This study demonstrates no significant
differences of amplitude and duration between 5, 10 and
20ml water boluses swallows in the pharynx. At the level
of the UES, smaller boluses generated greater negative
pressure.
Kelly, B.N., Huckabee, M.L., Jones, R.D. & Frampton,
C.M.A. (2008). Arousal has no effect on non-nutritive
breathing–swallowing coordination during the
first year of human life. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2008
Aug;26(5):385-90
Nonnutritive BSC of 10 healthy human infants was
monitored longitudinally during wakefulness and sleep
from birth to 1 year of age. In contrast to the change in the
overall pattern of BSC with age, and despite well-known
marked postnatal cortical development over this time,
no arousal-related differences were seen during the first
year of life. This most likely reflects complete brainstem
control of non-nutritive BSC in infants.
King, J., Watson, C., Maclagan, M., Harlow, R. &
Keegan, P. (in press). Mäori women’s role in sound
change. DVD proceedings from IGALA, Wellington,
July 2008. eds Janet Holmes &Meredith Marra.
The first acoustic analysis to compare men’s and women’s
Mäori vowels. As has been found for other languages,
Mäori women are leading in sound changes that are not
stigmatised and lagging in those that are stigmatised.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Basu, A., Hayden, C., McKee, G., Quinn, H. &
Sutherland, D. (2008). Inquiry-based learning
and virtual worlds: Lessons for the adult learner
community. New Zealand Journal of Adult Learning,
36, 62-79.
2008 Year in Review
5
Peer Reviewed Publications
6
2008 Year in Review
King J., Harlow, R., Watson, C., Keegan, P. &
Maclagan, M. (in press). Changing Pronunciation of
the Mäori Language: Implications for Revitalization.
15th annual Stabilizing Indigenous Languages
Symposium, Flagstaff, Az 1-3 May, 2008,
A summary of results from the MAONZE research
project with emphasis on the implications for those who
are stabilising or revitalising indigenous languages.
Lim, A., Leow, L.P., Huckabee, M.L., Frampton, C. &
Anderson, T. (2008). A pilot study of respiration and
swallowing integration in Parkinson’s disease: ‘On’
and ‘Off’ levodopa. Dysphagia.23(1): 76-81.
The aim of this study was to further investigate the
effect of levodopa on respiration in ten patients with
Parkinson’s disease. Data suggest a reduction in
lung function when “on” levadopa and a reduction in
swallowing efficiency without apparent increase in
risk of aspiration. These pilot data suggest that further
evaluation with larger numbers of participants is
justified.
Lin, E., Hwang, Tzer-Zen, Ormond, T., & Hornibrook,
J. (2008). “Voice of Postradiotherapy Nasopharyngeal
Carcinoma Patients: Evidence of Vocal Tract Effect.”
Journal of Voice, 22 (3), 351-364.
Simultaneous acoustic-electroglottographic (EGG)
signals recorded during vowel (/a/ and /i/) phonation
sustained at habitual, high, and low pitch levels
were compared in post-radiotherapy nasopharyngeal
carcinoma (NPC) patient, voice patients, and normal
groups. Post-radiotherapy NPC patients were
found to exhibit acoustic signs reflective of a static,
global pharyngeal narrowing as compared with
the other groups.
Looi, V. (2008). The effect of cochlear implantation
of music: A review. Otorinolaringologia. Vol 58 (4),
169-90.
This article reviews some of the more-recent
research related to music perception with CIs, and
how cochlear implantation may impact on music
perception in adults. Overall the current state of
findings suggests that adult CI users are significantly
poorer than normally hearing listeners at frequency
based music tests, such as tasks involving pitch
perception, instrument identification, or melody
recognition. There is also research indicating that
adult CI users may also score lower on some pitchbased tests than hearing aid users with similar
levels of hearing loss. Collectively this suggests that
cochlear implantation may result in changes to a
recipient’s music perception abilities.
Looi, V., McDermott H. J., McKay, C. M., & Hickson,
L. M. (2008). Music perception of cochlear implant
users compared to that of hearing aid users. Ear and
Hearing. 29(3), 421-434.
This study investigated the music perception skills
of adult cochlear implant (CI) users compared with
hearing aid (HA) users who have similar levels of hearing
impairment. Results from the two groups were almost
identical for the rhythm test, however the HA group
performed significantly better than the CI group on the
pitch and melody tests. There was no difference between
the groups on the timbre test. The results of this study
indicate that HA users with similar levels of hearing
loss perform at least equal to, if not better than, CI
users on these music perception tests. However, despite
the differences between scores obtained by the CI and
HA subject groups, both of these subject groups were
largely unable to achieve accurate or effective music
perception, regardless of the device they used.
Looi, V., McDermott H. J., McKay, C. M., & Hickson,
L. M. (2008). The effect of cochlear implantation on
music perception by adults with usable preoperative
acoustic hearing. The International Journal of
Audiology, 47(5), 257-268.
This study investigated the change in music perception
of adults undergoing cochlear implantation. Nine adults
scheduled for a cochlear implant (CI) were assessed
both prior to implantation (whilst using hearing aids;
HAs), and 3 months after implantation. Pre-to-post
surgery comparisons showed no significant difference
in the rhythm, melody, and timbre test scores. However
subjects’ scores were significantly lower post-surgery
for the pitch test. It was also concluded that although
pitch perception was generally poorer with a CI than
with a HA, it is likely that the use of both devices
simultaneously could have provided higher scores for
these subjects.
Maclagan, M., Watson, C., Harlow, R., King, J. &
Keegan, P. (in press). /u/ fronting and /t/ aspiration
in Mäori and New Zealand English. Language
Variation and Change.
This paper analyses the relationship between the
fronting of the /u/ vowel and the increasing aspiration
of /t/ in Mäori including the influence of NZE on Mäori
pronunciation.
Maclagan, M. (in press) Reflecting connections
with the local language: New Zealand English.
International Journal of Speech Language Pathology.
This paper considers how the current changes in NZE
affect the work of speech-language therapists.
This paper provides a description of the development
of Mäori English which is currently the fastest growing
variety of NZE. It contains a description of Mäori English
and guidelines for therapists working with children who
speak both Mäori and Mäori English.
Marchant, J., McAuliffe, M.J., & Huckabee, M-L.
(2008). Treatment of articulatory impairment in a
child with spastic dysarthria associated with spastic
cerebral palsy. Developmental Neurorehabilitation,
11, 81-90.
A comparative study of treatment modalities for
improving articulation in a 13-year-old child with severe
spastic dysarthria associated with spastic cerebral
palsy (SCP) was conducted. Overall, results indicated
that phonetic placement therapy and sEMG-facilitated
biofeedback relaxation failed to provide perceptual
changes to articulation and overall intelligibility.
The severity of the participant’s dysarthria and short
duration of treatment may have contributed to these
findings.
McAuliffe, M.J., & Cornwell, P.L. (2008). Intervention
for lateral /s/ using EPG biofeedback and an
intensive motor learning approach: A case
report. International Journal of Language and
Communication Disorders, 43, 219–229.
This study demonstrated improvements to both
the perceptual and spectral characteristics of /s/
articulation following an intensive treatment
programme including both visual biofeedback (EPG)
and traditionalarticulation techniques within a motor
learning paradigm. The inclusion of a 6-week structured
home-programme was beneficial and resulted in
consolidation of treatment gains.
McAuliffe, M.J., Lin, E., Robb, M.P., & Murdoch, B.E.
(2008). Influence of a standard electropalatography
artificial palate upon articulation: A preliminary
study. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 60, 45-53.
(invited paper)
This study investigated the influence of a standard
electropalatography (EPG) palate upon speech
articulation in 3 normal speakers under standard EPG
testing conditions. The results revealed varied patterns
of adaptation across the 3 participants. The data
suggest that researchers and clinicians alike should be
aware of the potential perturbing effects of the palate
McAuliffe, M.J. (2008). Extended version of the
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) results in
changes to vocal sound pressure level comparable
to those resulting from traditional LSVT in a group
of 12 participants. Evidence-Based Communication
Assessment and Intervention, 2, 11-13.
This paper was an invited critique of a published
research article. It provided an overview of the study
findings and a commentary regarding the strength of
design and the potential applications of the findings to
clinical practice.
Phoon, H. & Maclagan, M. (in press). A survey of
Malaysian speech-language pathologists’ perception
of articulation and phonological assessments. Asia
Pacific Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing.
Malaysian speech-language therapists were surveyed
to find out what articulation and phonological
assessments they were currently using and to ascertain
the degree to which they were satisfied with current
assessment methods in Malaysia.
Quick, Z., Robb, M., & Woodward, L. (2008). Acoustic
cry features of methadone exposed newborns. Acta
Paediatrica, 98, 74-79.
The aim of this study was to examine the acoustic cry
characteristics of infants born to mothers maintained
on methadone during pregnancy compared to infants
not exposed to methadone during pregnancy. Fine
grained analyses of frequency perturbation showed that
the cry utterances of infants exposed to methadone
during pregnancy were characterized by significantly
higher levels of frequency perturbation than the cry
utterances of infants not exposed to methadone during
pregnancy.
Robb, M., & Chen, Y. (2008). A note on vowel space
in Mandarin accented English. Asia Pacific Journal of
Speech, Language and Hearing, 11, 175-188.
The purpose of this study was to compare the acoustic
vowel spaces for speakers of Mandarin accented English
(MAE) and speakers of American English (AE). Results
obtained for speakers of MAE indicated a significantly
smaller vowel space area for the vowels /i,u,a/ compared
to AE speakers. On the other hand, the vowels /I,U,a/
were produced by the MAE speakers with a significantly
larger vowel space area compared to the AE speakers.
Robb, M.P., Sargent, A., & O’Beirne, G.A. (in press).
Characteristics of disfluency clusters in adults who
stutter. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology.
The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics
of disfluency clusters in adults who stutter (AWS) and
to compare these characteristics to those previously
reported for children who stutter (CWS). The results
obtained in the present study for AWS tend to parallel
those found for CWS and serve to validate their
occurrence as feature of the disorder of stuttering
Peer Reviewed Publications
Maclagan, M., King, J. & Gillon, G. (2008). Mäori
English. Clinical Phonetics andLinguistics. 22(8):
658-670
2008 Year in Review
7
Peer Reviewed Publications
8
2008 Year in Review
Robb, M.P. & Chen, Y. (in press). Is /h/ phonetically
neutral?. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics.
This study sought to determine whether articulation
of /h/ differs according to sex and language accent, as
well as to examine its influence on subsequent vowel
articulation. The present results appear to support the
suggestion that /h/ is not exclusively sex-linked and
may indeed vary according to non-biological factors. In
spite of these variations, /h/articulation appears to have
a negligible influence on neighboring vowel articulation.
Sutherland, D. & Gillon, G. (2008). Examining
phonological representations in a child with
complex communication needs. New Zealand
Journal of Speech language Therapy, 63,4-23.
A child with cerebral palsy (CP) who used an AAC
device to communicate participated in a longitudinal
investigation into the development of phonological
representations. The child with CP demonstrated inferior
phonological representations compared to younger
children experiencing typical development.
Sutherland, D. (2008). Computer-based video
instruction facilitates AAC-device use in community
settings. Evidence-Based Communication
Assessment and Intervention, 2, 84-86.
This article provides a critique of an earlier study
that investigated the use of computer-based video
instruction as an effective teaching method to support
the use of AAC devices in community contexts. The
findings reinforced the validity of computer-based video
training to develop effective AAC device use by young
adults with Down syndrome.
Watson, C., Maclagan, M., King, J &Harlow, R.
(2008). The English Pronunciation of Successive
Groups of Mäori Speakers. Proceedings of the 9th
Annual Conference of the International Speech
Communication Association (Interspeech 2008)
incorporating the 12th Australasian International
Conference on Speech Science and Technology (SST
2008). ISSN 1990-9772. Page 338 – 341
A comparison of the English pronunciation of three
groups of speakers whose first language is Mäori, and
a comparison with their Mäori vowel system. The well
attested NZE vowel changes can be seen across the
speaker groups.
Watson, C., Maclagan, M., Harlow, R., Bauer, W.,
King, J. & Keegan, P. (2008) Ka conversion – the
changing sound and rhythm of Mäori ? In Warren,
P. (ed) Laboratory Phonology 11, Victoria University
of Wellington New Zealand, 30 June –2 July, 2008,
Book of Abstracts. pp157-158. Wellington: Victoria
University of Wellington. ISBN 0 475 10550 8.
A study of the loss of the length distinction in the
particle ka over time. Speakers born in the 19th century
clearly distinguish long and short ka, whereas those
born in the late 20th century do not.
Wermke, K. & Robb, M.P. (in press). Fundamental
frequency of neonatal crying: Does body size
matter? Journal of Voice.
The objective of this study was to determine the
influence of fetal growth on the fundamental frequency
(F0) of neonatal crying in a group of healthy full term
infants. The spontaneous cries of 131 infants were audio
recorded during the first week of life, and subsequently
submitted to acoustic analyses. The results indicated
that features of cry F0 were found to decrease
marginally as a function of increased body size, with
significant group differences confined to maximum F0.
Westerveld, M. F., Gillon, G. T., & Moran, C. (2008).
A longitudinal investigation of oral narrative skills
in children with mixed reading disability.
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology,
10(3), 132-145.
This article explores narrative discourse abilities
in children with reading disorder. It is unique in its
contribution to understanding the development of
narrative in language-impaired children over time.
Witte, U., Huckabee, ML, Doeltgen, S. Gumbley, F.
& Robb, M. (2008). The effect of effortful swallow
on pharyngeal manometric measurements during
saliva and water swallowing in healthy participants.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 89,
822-828.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of
effortful swallow on pharyngeal manometric pressure
measurements during saliva and water swallowing. The
results indicate that the effect of effortful swallow on
pharyngeal peak pressure measurement is not altered
by bolus type (saliva vs water). However, this is not the
case for nadir pressure measurements in the UES, which
were significantly lower in effortful saliva swallows than
in effortful.
Wong, A., Burford, S., Wyles, C., Mundy, H., &
Sainsbury, R. (2008). Evaluation of Strategies to
improve Nutrition in People with Dementia in an
Assessment Unit. The Journal of Nutrition, Health
and Aging 2008; Vol. 12, No 5 (309-312).
Three interventions were trialled; 1) encouraging dietary
“grazing”, 2) using volunteers to feed patients, 3)
improving dining room ambiance by playing soothing
music. Caloric intake increased in the intervention
phases compared to a drop during the observation
phase. The results show that simple, inexpensive and
easy to implement strategies can improve nutrition in
hospital inpatients with dementia.
Book Contributions:
Daniels, S.K. &
Huckabee, M.L. (2008).
Dysphagia Following
Stroke, San Diego:
Plural Publishing.
This clinical handbook
incorporates a review of
state of the art practice
in dysphagia diagnosis
and management
for individuals with
swallowing impairment
following stroke.
Jennifer Hay, Margaret
Maclagan, Elizabeth
Gordon (2008) New
Zealand English.
Edinburgh: Edinburgh
University Press.
This provides an up to
date overview of New
Zealand English aimed
at an undergraduate
reader. It includes an
annotated bibliography
of research on NZE.
Huckabee, M.L., & Prosiegel, M. (in press). Wallenberg
Syndrome. In H Jones & J. Rosenbek (eds.). The Encyclopedia
of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Rare Conditions. Plural
Publishing: San Diego. ISBN 10: 1-59756-230-0.
Huckabee, M. L. (in press). Commentaries on Dysphagia.
In R. Body & L. McAllister, Ethics in Speech and Language
Therapy. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell Huckabee, M.L. (in press).
Vom Laboratorium bis Klinik: Pharyngeale manometry. In:
Winkelmayer U Y & Stanschus S (Hrsg.): Evidenzentwicklung
in der Dysphagiologie: Von der Untersuchung in die
Klinische Praxis. Idstein: Schulz – Kirchner Verlag.
Huckabee, M.L. & Doeltgen, S. H. (in press.). Die
Entwicklung von Rehabilitationsansaetzen für pharyngeale
Bewegungsstoerungen: Die
Verknuepfung von Forschung und Klinischer Arbeit. In:
Hofmayer A & Stanschus S (Hrsg.): Evidenzentwicklung in
der Dysphagiologie: Von der Untersuchung in die Klinische
Praxis. Idstein: Schulz-Kirchner Verlag.
Moran, C. & Gillon, G. (in press). Assessment and
Intervention of Expository Discourse in TBI. In Expository
Discourse in Children, Adolescents, and Adults:
Development and Disorders Nippold, M & Cheryl M. Scott,
Eds. Psychology Press/ Taylor and Francis
Robinson, N., & Robb, M. (2008). Early Communication and
Language Assessment: A Dynamic Process. In D. Bernstein
& E. Tiegerman (Eds.), Language and Communication
Disorders in Children (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Other Publications
Books
2008 Year in Review
9
New Developments
& Collaborations
10 2008 Year in Review
In November, 2008, The Department of
Communication Disorders signed a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) with the Department of
Communication Sciences and Languages at the
University of Kuwait. The MOU provides a framework
for staff and students of the two university
departments to share expertise and engage in joint
academic and scholarly activities. The agreement will
provide an opportunity for faculty and postgraduate
student exchanges, research collaboration and
student internships. The agreement was part
of a larger vision to institute a memorandum of
understanding between the two colleges — UC’s
College of Science and Kuwait’s College For Women.
Thanks to the generosity of GN Resound Ltd. and
the University of Leeds, the Department has
acquired three IAC sound-proof booths valued
at close to $400,000. The booths are to be used
primarily for research, and will be installed on
campus during 2009.
Emily Lin has established
collaboration with the
Mechanical Engineering
Department (Dr. John
Pearce) and Tait Corporation
in supervising a Master’s
thesis (Master student from
Mechanical Engineering:
James Collet, Development of
Emily Lin
a Structured and Repeatable
Approach to Measuring Audio Quality of Mobile
Radios.)
The Department of Communication Disorders was
awarded the contract by the Ministry of Health
to provide newborn hearing screener training.
The contract covers the implementation stage
of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
Early Intervention Programme. The training is a
combination of hands-on support and e-learning in
DHBs across the country. One week practical sessions
are regionally based at host DHBs to allow working
with newborns, with ongoing monitoring and support
of the newborn hearing screeners until June 2010.
The Motor Speech Disorders Research Laboratory,
University of Canterbury (Dr Megan McAuliffe) has
begun collaborating with the Motor Speech Disorders
Laboratory, Arizona State University (Dr Julie Liss).
Maggie-Lee Huckabee is collaborating with National
University of Singapore on both supervision of Master
theses and curriculum development in the area of
swallowing and swallowing disorders. She is also
collaborating with Dr. Kylie Foster IFNHH, Albany and
Assoc. Prof. John Bronlund, ITE, Palmerston North in
the supervision of PhD research.
Michael Robb has established two new research
collaboration. He is collaborating with Prof Kathleen
Wermke, Center for Pre-Speech Development and
Developmental Disorders, Julius-MaximiliansUniversity Würzburg, Germany on a project entitled
Examining acoustic features of infant
cry as precursors to speech and language acquisition.
He is also collaborating with Dr Fauzia Abdalla &
Dr Tareq Al Shatti of the Department of
Communication Disorders, Kuwait University,
Kuwait on a project entitled Examining lexical
features of stuttering in Arabic.
Phoebe Macrae: W and B Miller
Doctoral Scholarship through
the Neurological Foundation,
University of Canterbury
Doctoral Scholarship, FRST
Top Achievers Scholarship.
The effects of neuromuscular
exercises on biomechanical
and neural mechanisms of
Phoebe Macrae
swallowing: investigations by
motor evoked potentials, ultrasound, and manometry.
Supervisor: Huckabee, M.L. & Jones, R.J.
Dona Jayakody, College of Science Postgraduate Student
Scholarship. Development of a Pitch Perception Training
Program for Cochlear Implant Users.Supervisors: Looi,
V. & Lin, E.
Stephanie Borrie: University of Canterbury PhD Student
Scholarship. The role of perceptual learning in speech
intelligibility of acquired dysarthria: A listener’s
perspective. Supervisor: McAuliffe, M.
Michael Robb has been named
as a Fellow of the American
Speech-Language, and Hearing
Association at the Annual
Convention of the American
Speech-Language Hearing
Association in Chicago Ill,
Nov 2008.
Michael Robb
Sebastian Doeltgen was awarded 2nd place 2008 for
the New Investigators Award, by the International
Dysphagia Research for his platform presentation
entitled Effects of event-related electrical stimulation on
motor evoked potentials at the submental muscle group,
Charleston South Carolina, March 2008. Supervisors:
Huckabee, M.L. & Dalrymple-Alford, J. (psychology)
Phoon Hooi San received an award from the Singapore
Association for Applied Linguistics for the paper Phoon
and Maclagan, The phonology of Malaysian English:
a preliminary study presented at ESEA 2008 (English in
Southeast Asia), December 4-6, 2008.
Awards & Scholarships
Oshrat Sella: University of Canterbury International PhD
student scholarship. Neural and Biomechanical Effects
of Strength vs Skill Training in Dysphagia Rehabilitation.
Supervisor: Huckabee, M.L.
2008 Year in Review
11
Thesis Completions
PhD
MAud
Leow, L. Mechanisms of Airway protection in Aging
and Parkinsons Disease. Supervisor: Huckabee, M. L.
& Anderson T. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1461
Arnephy, J.M. Environmental Sound Perception
for Cochlear Implant Users. Supervisor: Looi, V. &
O”Beirne, G.A, http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1848
MSLT
Choo, A. Lip asymmetry in adults who stutter during
speech and non-speech production tasks. MSc
(Psychology), Supervisor: Robb, M. http://hdl.handle.
net/10092/1722
Davies, E. Written Persuasive Discourse Abilities of
Adolescents with Traumatic Brain Injury. Supervisors:
Moran, C. & McAuliffe, M.
Cook, K. The Effects of Auditory Distraction on
Discourse Retell Tasks in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Supervisors: Moran, C. & McAuliffe, M.
Doppler, B. Working memory performance in
adolescents with traumatic brain injury. (University of
Munich) Supervisor: Moran, C.
Erne, C. Monitoring Natural Progression of dysphagic
symptoms in stroke. Supervisor: Huckabee, M.L.
Gallagher, K. An intervention approach to target
vocabulary development in Te Reo Mäori in Mäori
immersion settings. Supervisor: Gillon, G. http://hdl.
handle.net/10092/1879
Lee, C. Relationship between Jaw Opening and
Phonetic Complexity: A Cross – Language Study.”
Supervisor: Lin, E. & Maclagan, M. http://hdl.handle.
net/10092/1877
Mataiti, H. Clinical supervisor characteristics valued
by practising speech-language therapists. Supervisor:
McAuliffe, M. & Tillard, G. http://hdl.handle.
net/10092/1535
Phaal, B. Examination of Anxiety and Communication
Apprehension in Children Who Stutter. Supervisor:
Robb, M. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1490
Schaefer, M. Stuttering Characteristics of GermanEnglish Bilingual Speakers. Supervisor: Robb, M.
http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1508
Schuermann, E. The influence of an olfactory
stimulus on swallowing-respiratory coordination and
submental muscle contraction. (University of Munich)
Supervisor: Huckabee, M.L.
Yip, F. Impact of Breath Group Control on the Speech
of Normals and Individuals with Cerebral Palsy.
Supervisors: Lin, E. & McAuliffe, M.
12 2008 Year in Review
Feldman, M.B. Delayed hearing loss following
vestibular schwannoma surgery: Behavioural
and electrophysiological responses in the early
postoperative period. Supervisor: O’Beirne, G.A., &
Bird, P.A. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1849
Sincock, B.P. Clinical applicability of adaptive speech
testing: a comparison of the administration time,
accuracy, efficiency and reliability of adaptive
speech tests with conventional speech audiometry.
Supervisor: O’Beirne, G.A.
She, J.H.K. Perception of music for adult cochlear
implant users: a questionnaire. Supervisor: Looi, V.
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1584
Vraich, G. Residual hearing levels post-surgery for the
Southern Cochlear Implant Program. Supervisor: Looi,
V. & Bird, P. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1920