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Speech/Voice Production and Perception Research Lab
The goal of the Speech/Voice Production and Perception Laboratory is to contribute research data towards increased understanding of normal and disordered speech and voice production and perception to inform clinical practice. The lab provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about research in the speech sciences through active participation as student research assistants. Inquiries by interested students are welcome: please contact Dr. Behrman or Dr. Cavallo.
Laboratory facilities include a large sound-proof booth (room 141) for high quality digital recording and a room dedicated to conducting research therapy protocols and student research assistant workspace (room 229). Instrumentation is available for acoustic data gathering and analysis, digital video recording, ultrasound assessment of tongue movements, perceptual assessments of audio recordings, and aerodynamic assessments of airflow, dynamic air pressure, volume, and chest wall kinematics.
Student Research Assistants (2017/2018)- Melissa Jacob (Lehman graduate student: graduated Summer 2018)
- Yanna Morfogen (Lehman undergraduate student)
- Martha Olvera Johnson (Lehman undergraduate student: beginning Lehman graduate program in Spring, 2019)
- Nicole Pagnotta (Lehman graduate student)
- Miya Wilson (Lehman undergraduate student)
Research projects directed by Dr. Alison Behrman
- Funded by an NIH/NIGMS grant to Dr. Behrman (2017–2010), a study in progress is examining the entrainment of rhythmic hand gestures and auditory cues on speech production in adults with dysarthria due to ataxia or Parkinson’s disease.
- A current study funded by The Parkinson Voice Project of Richardson, TX, is examining the outcome of the SPEAK OUT!(tm) program for dysarthria due to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
- A study just completed that was funded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Clinical Research Grant to Dr. Behrman (2017) examined the effect of clear speech (hyperarticulation) on listener perception of intelligibility, ease of understanding, and accentedness in Spanish-accented speakers of American English.
Research projects directed by Dr. Stephen Cavallo
- Future clinical research will examine the clinical utility of acoustic and physiologic measures of phonatory ability. Specifically, the value of cepstrum analysis and development of a routine clinical procedure for evaluating speech breathing.
