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This study explored the demonstration of culturally responsive service provision when planning intervention by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). A fifteen-item survey revealed (a) SLPs consider culture when choosing therapeutic materials, and (b) family structure was the cultural factor selected by the most SLPs, followed closely by race and/or ethnicity. Religion was the least commonly selected cultural factor. Knowledge of multiple factors of culture should be considered to provide culturally competent intervention.

Purpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the frequency of sex, race, and ethnicity reporting and proportional representation in funded, noncancerous voice clinical trials to determine the state of compliance with National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for inclusivity in clinical research. Method: Clinical trials registered with the NIH/U.S. National Library of Medicine between January 1988 and September 2021 were analyzed. Primary reports of the trials were obtained from clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed. Outcomes included the proportion of trials reporting sex, race, and ethnicity and the proportion of participants by sex, race, and ethnicity in the trials. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported. Results: The search yielded 46 research studies. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and attempts to locate studies were conducted, 11 total articles were ultimately evaluated. Descriptively, there were more female subjects, yet overall, no significant difference in sex distribution (X[superscript 2] = 0.07, p = 0.75, 95% CI [-0.25, -0.19]). Race and ethnicity were only reported in two clinical trials. Black participants were underrepresented in one clinical trial (X[superscript 2] = 4.93, p = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.11, -0.02]), whereas Hispanic participants were underrepresented in a second trial (X[superscript 2] = 11.27, p < 0.00, 95% CI [-0.20, -0.13]). Conclusions: This preliminary analysis highlights the disparities in race and ethnicity recruitment and reporting in noncancerous voice clinical trials. There is a need for strategic recruitment strategies and improved reporting practices to adhere to the NIH inclusivity directives.

The purpose of this study was to assess the competence of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in serving bilingual or English-language learning children. Specifically, are SLPs able to identify acceptable English productions of a native Spanish speaker when described and/or given in context? Data were collected through an anonymous 28-question, web-based survey designed for practicing SLPs who worked with children. A total of 99 completed responses were received. The majority of SLPs demonstrated a basic understanding of aspects of Spanish-Influenced English (SIE) and dialectal features associated with native speakers of Spanish; however, SLPs were better able to identify errors in context than features of SIE. To ensure best practice in service provision for children who are English-language learners, SLPs need an understanding of the features of SIE and other English variants. Training programs should therefore provide education on the specific contrasts between languages/dialects while encouraging critical thinking and self-study.

The article focuses on whether it's advisable for singers to perform while ill. Topics include the impact of fever and infection on singing, the effects of nasal congestion, laryngitis, and pulmonary conditions on vocal performance, and the importance of consulting with medical professionals to avoid long-term vocal issues.

The primary aim of this investigation was to evaluate listener auditory-perceptual assessment of employability for individuals with hypernasal speech. Using an online survey platform, listeners with managerial experience evaluated speech samples from individuals with varying hypernasal resonance disorder severity to determine auditory-perceptual judgements regarding intelligence and employability. Speech samples of individuals with hypernasal speech were rated lower on scales of intelligence and employability, and more likely to be selected for jobs with infrequent rates of communication and lower levels of responsibility. Additionally, males with hypernasal speech were perceived as less intelligent, less employable, and more likely to be selected for a job with infrequent communication in comparison to females with hypernasal speech. Results of this preliminary investigation suggest that individuals with hypernasal speech may face employment barriers. The conclusions collected from this initial investigation open the doors for further research addressing linguistic considerations and aspects of employability. This is an important consideration for individuals with either acquired or congenitally related hypernasal resonance disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this tutorial is threefold: (a) present relevant exercise science literature on skeletal muscle metabolism and synthesize the limited available research on metabolism of the adult human speech musculature in an effort to elucidate the role of metabolism in speech production; (b) introduce a well-studied metabolic serum biomarker in exercise science, lactate, and the potential usefulness of investigating this metabolite, through a well-established exercise science methodology, to better understand metabolism of the musculature involved in voice production; and (c) discuss exercise physiology considerations for future voice science research that seeks to investigate blood lactate and metabolism in voice physiology in an ecologically valid manner. Method: This tutorial begins with relevant exercise science literature on the basic cellular processes of muscle contraction that require energy and the metabolic mechanisms that regenerate the energy required for task execution. The tutorial next synthesizes the available research investigating metabolism of the adult human speech musculature. This is followed by the authors proposing a hypothesis of speech metabolism based on the voice science literature and the application of well-studied exercise science principles of muscle physiology. The tutorial concludes with a discussion and the potential usefulness of lactate in investigations to better understand the metabolism of the musculature involved in vocal demand tasks. Conclusion: The role of metabolism during speech (respiratory, laryngeal, and articulatory) is an understudied yet critical aspect of speech physiology that warrants further study to better understand the metabolic systems that are used to meet vocal demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical focus article was to identify clinical practice patterns of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with the high-risk infants, specifically, the modality treatment parameters and physiological rationale. Method: An online survey was disseminated to query use of NMES by licensed SLPs who routinely address swallowing habilitation in high-risk infants. Results: Eleven of the 40 practicing SLPs who completed the survey indicated they have used NMES on neonates and infants. Most survey respondents reported not using NMES with infants. Of the SLPs who used this modality, over half reported they relied on clinical judgment for determination of NMES dose, frequency of treatments, electrode placement, and discharge determination. While SLPs acknowledged that little empirical evidence is available, those who used this modality indicated that the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association should support this modality in infants. Conclusions: Reliance on clinical judgment, as indicated by SLPs who use NMES on high-risk infants, is not consistent with the evidence-based practice triad, which encourages the use of high-quality peer-reviewed published evidence to inform clinical decision-making. Additional basic and applied research is needed to support use of NMES as a therapeutic modality in infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinical treatment strategies and progress metrics for patients with inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) and exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) have not been systematically applied across clinics. The goals of this review were to identify the intervention strategies used to treat upper airway disorders and determine the clinical metrics by which improvement or resolution of ILO/EILO is determined in clinical studies of speech-language pathology intervention., Method: A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Systematic Reviews Checklist. English language, full-text publications were identified through MEDLINE (Ovid), APA PsycINFO, and Web of Science for publications that described clinical outcomes following behavioral treatment for ILO provided by a speech-language pathologist (SLP)., Results: A total of 238 sources were retrieved, of which 75 were duplicates. Titles and abstracts of 163 were screened, with 22 sources included for full-text review. Citation review yielded nine additional resources. Thirty-one sources were included for data extraction. Most sources described use of respiratory/laryngeal retraining. There was a lack of consistency for clinical and standardized metrics used to evaluate improvement or resolution of upper airway symptoms., Conclusions: Behavioral and standardized outcome metrics for evaluating therapy outcomes from SLP behavioral intervention of ILO/EILO are not consistently applied. Clinical metrics standards for clinicians are needed to provide a means to evaluate graded improvement in treatment and changes in health care utilization as well as for training less-experienced clinicians., Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27172683.

Purpose: Swimmers present a unique challenge for the clinician when presenting with a diagnosis of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO). The purpose of this tutorial was to query competitive swimmers about commonly used breathing strategies and then use that information as a basis from which to provide speech-language pathologists who treat EILO in swimmers with a clinical perspective for treatment planning and implementation., Methods: A survey of competitive female and male swimmers aged 18 and over was conducted to inquire about swim breathing techniques used in the context of swim distance(s), training versus competition, bilateral versus unilateral head turn, and stroke-to-breath ratio. Questions regarding experience with EILO and asthma were also included., Results: Following receipt of consent, 62 competitive swimmers completed the survey. The survey results indicated a preference for trickle breathing; however, many volunteers described different breathing strategies for training versus competition. Breath-to-stroke ratios differed widely, often based on swim distance as a means to have competitive advantage. Thirteen volunteers reported difficulty inhaling while swimming, two of whom reported a diagnosis of EILO and one who reported a diagnosis of asthma., Conclusions: Swimmers with EILO present with unique challenges for clinicians, given the various breathing techniques used and the idiosyncratic nature of breathing strategies for each swimmer. A one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient for this population and clinicians interested in treating swimmers with EILO will need to employ optimal critical thinking skills for intervention success-a true merger of art and deep understanding of respiratory and laryngeal physiology., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest This work presented in this paper is novel and the sole responsibility of the authors. The authors have personal disclosures to report related to this work. Dr. Sandage receives compensation from MedBridge courses she created for assessment and treatment of EILO in athletes., (Copyright © 2024 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The primary goal of this investigation was to characterize the effect of the first-generation, over-the-counter antihistamine Chlor-Trimeton on laryngeal structure and function in a previously unstudied population - individuals diagnosed with allergic rhinitis who routinely take over-the-counter antihistamines and deny the experience or diagnosis of voice disorder., Study Design: Prospective within-participant multimodality repeated measures design., Methods: Eight consented participants (seven females, one male) previously diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and without history of voice disorder who routinely took over-the-counter antihistamines completed the study. Volunteers completed the following measures before and 2hours after antihistamine administration: perceptual vocal function measures, phonation threshold pressure (PTP), acoustic measures, and laryngeal imaging. All pre- and post-administration data were descriptively analyzed for clinically significant change., Results: No clinically significant differences were identified for any acoustic or aerodynamic measures taken. Analyses of laryngeal imaging data indicated that all participants had evidence of mucosal changes in one or more of the following parameters: increased vascularity, mucus in the anterior commissure, and vocal fold color changes, all of which are consistent with prior descriptions of allergy larynx., Conclusions: Empirical study of laryngeal appearance in individuals diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, affirmed clinical observations of laryngeal tissue changes consistent with allergy larynx. Stable PTP suggests potential vocal fold cover adaptations from routine use of over-the-counter antihistamines that may buffer the typical desiccating effect on voice function observed in prior studies of healthy individuals., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no personal or financial disclosures to report. This investigation represents novel work that has not been presented or published elsewhere., (Copyright © 2024 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)