Use of Audio-capture to Analyze Stuttering Disfluencies

8/14/2019 Use of Audio-capture to Analyze Stuttering Disfluencies

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Mini-Grant 2001 1

Use of audio-capture to analyze stuttering disfluencies

Glen Tellis

Analyzing disfluencies in speech is an important process in the diagnosis of stuttering.Several authors have discussed the need to reliably measure stuttering (Conture, 1990; Cordes,1994; Young, 1984). Currently, transcription and playback of tape-recorded data has been usedto tally stuttering disfluencies (Peters & Guitar, 1991). The accuracy of identification ofstuttering disfluencies varies from clinician to clinician (Curlee, 1981; Ingham & Cordes, 1997;Kully & Boberg, 1988). Apart from traditional methods, various computerized biofeedbackprograms also exist to record moments of stuttering. These programs do not, however, allow forreal-time playback of speech of persons who stutter during a block.

The advances in technology have permitted me to audio-record a sample of speech andsimultaneously play and save the speech sample on a computer hard-drive. This method ofrecording data seems to be a promising avenue for future research because of its potential for (1)real-time speech feedback, (2) saving the data on a compact disk or floppy disk (3) speechsegment by speech segment playback, (4) pausing the audio output while the person is in a block

without any degradation in audio quality, (5) recording the time spent speaking on-line, and (6)using the cursor to fast-forward, rewind, play, and pause the speech sample without having thedifficulty of searching for a speech segment because each speech segment is visible on thecomputer screen (therefore, the cursor can be used to proceed to the exact time/frame that aclinician and a client would like to evaluate).

I train students to record voice-samples of clinical sessions directly on a computer withthe aid of Turtle Beach Montego (TBM) or other comparable voice software (Cool Edit).Students are also trained to transfer the voice samples from the tape recorder to the computer.Students are taught to filter, edit, and compress the speech samples with the voice software. Theadvantage of this method of recording and analyzing data is that students can only capture andstore speech samples that are essential for diagnosis and reduce the time spent playing an entire

tape. Also, students can fine-tune their ability to diagnose clients because they can observewaveforms of speech samples of their clients. Therefore, upon graduation, students can use thistraining in their workplaces. Most voice software that permits computer recording and editing isfairly inexpensive and can be easily purchased by employers.

I use the software program with an IBM compatible computer to achieve real-time audiocapture and playback. Apart from the advantages outlined above, TBM software allows the filesto be saved in a .wav format that can be played in various formats including Real Player, MediaPlayer, Quick Time Player, and other programs. The students, therefore, can listen to thewaveforms and observe moments of stuttering in multiple audio formats.

Another advantage of analyzing software on a computer screen is that multiple speechsamples can be isolated and compared. Therefore, 2-3 speech samples can be viewed on a single17-inch monitor and compared by students and clients simultaneously. These speech samples

can either be of the same speech sample or of different speech samples. Other advantages ofusing the TBM software are that: live recordings can be made from the tape-recorder to thecomputer, simultaneous audio-recordings and direct computer recordings can be made, andrecordings can be made from the computer to the audio-recorder.

Students and clients can analyze stuttering disfluencies that accompany a moment ofstuttering (Blood, 1993; Van Riper & Emerick, 1984; Wingate, 1964). Disfluencies includestuttering (part-word repetitions, disrhythmic phonations, tense pauses) and nonstuttering types(word repetitions, phrase repetitions, interjections, revisions, recoils) (Johnson & Associates,


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Mini-Grant 2001 2

1959).Equipment

I use a tape-recorder with a built-in microphone for playback and for the computeranalysis. I also use an IBM compatible computer for playback, capture, and analysis.

ProceduresInitially, a tape recorder with a built-in microphone is plugged into the microphone input

slot of the sound card in the computer. A speech sample of the client is then recorded. Thespeech sample is also recorded on an audiocassette. The same sample may also simultaneouslybe saved on the computer with the TBM software. The sample is then saved on the hard disk ofthe computer. TBM software is used to record the speech sample in real time and Real Producersoftware is used to compress the speech sample. Additional recording and compression softwareis also commercially available.

Students and clients can listen to the speech samples and analyze speech data online.Students show the clients a trial speech sample and train them in identifying stutteringdisfluencies. When clients are able to identify stuttering disfluencies with 90% accuracy, andafter they are comfortable with using the cursor to run, pause, fast-forward, and rewind the

sample, they begin their analysis on an actual sample. Students inform the clients that they canrun, rewind, fast-forward, and use the pause button to complete their analyses.

DiscussionIt is apparent that the TBM software is a powerful method of analyzing moments of

stuttering disfluency. Apart from the advantages listed in the preceding section, it appears thatclinicians using traditional audiotape procedures for identification may fail to record numerousdisfluencies. Identification of even the subtlest disfluencies is important for evaluation andtreatment of children and adults who stutter.

Students, clients, and myself have found that the use of the TBM software greatlyincreases the identification of disfluencies. This results in a heightening of awareness of

disfluencies for persons who stutter during treatment. Therefore, the TBM software is animportant contributor to the diagnosis and treatment of stuttering.

Learner OutcomesClinicians and clients will be able to: Understand the differences between audiotape analysis and computer-recorded analysis of

stuttering. Learn the basic setup of the IBM compatible computer for analysis of disfluencies. Compare the results of the TBM software analysis and the audiotape analysis. Understand how the TBM software can be used in identification of disfluencies.

Budget

If awarded, I plan to use the grant money to travel to a National Conference for SpeechPathology. The conference has numerous workshops on state of the art technology.

I will use the money for an Airline ticket. If there is money left over, I will purchase Cool Edit($20). If you need any further clarifications, please feel free to contact me.


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Mini-Grant 2001 3

References

Blood, G. W. (1993). Treatment efficacy in adults who stutter: Review andrecommendations. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 18(2&3), 303-318.

Conture, E. G. (1990). Stuttering (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Cordes, A. K. (1994). The reliability of observational data: I. Theories and methods ofspeech-language pathology. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 37, 264-278.

Curlee, R. F. (1981). Observer agreement on disfluency and stuttering. Journal of Speechand Hearing Research, 24, 595-599.

Ingham, R. J., & Cordes, A. K. (1997). Identifying the authoritative judgments ofstuttering: Comparisons of self-judgments and observer judgments. Journal of Speech andHearing Research, 40(3), 581-594.

Johnson, W., & Associates. (1959). The onset of stuttering: Research findings andimplications. Minneapolis, MN: The University of Minnesota Press.

Kully, D., & Boberg, E. (1988). An investigation of interclinic agreement in theidentification of fluent and stuttered syllables. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 13, 308-318.

Peters, T. J., & Guitar, B. (1991). Stuttering: An integrated approach to its nature andtreatment. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins.

Van Riper, C., & Emerick, L. (1984). Speech correction principles and methods.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Wingate, M. E. (1964). A standard definition of stuttering. Journal of Speech andHearing Disorders, 19, 484-489.

Young, M. A. (1984). Identifications of stuttering and stutterers. In R. F. Curlee & W. H.Perkins (Eds.), Nature and treatment of stuttering: New directions. San Diego: College-Hill.

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Use of Audio-capture to Analyze Stuttering Disfluencies