Cross-Linguistic Nasalance Comparisons: A Review of Speech Sample Sets and Preliminary Consideration of Effect of Lexical Tone.

Introduction: Nasalance is an acoustic representation of perceived nasality with proven clinical and research utility. Its validity is contingent on appropriate speech sample sets and distinct normative databases based on known impact factors such as language and phonetic environment, but little is known about the potential effects of lexical tone on nasalance. Its use in international cross-linguistic studies necessitates definition and added considerations of speech sampling protocol.

Effect of Age and Gender on Nasalance Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review.

The Nasometer is a widely used clinical and research tool with diagnosis and outcome measurement utility. The objective of this study was to systematically examine the effect of age and gender on nasalance across the lifespan. A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA 2020).

Applying Computer-Based Language Test to Young Children.

Introduction: This study aimed at exploring the feasibility of applying a computer-based language test to young children aged 2-4 years.

Methods: Thirty-two Cantonese-speaking children, aged 2-4 years, were recruited from local kindergartens. All participants underwent an assessment using both the computer-based and paper-pencil versions of the Macau Cantonese Language Screening Scale for Preschool Children, following a crossover study design.

Endoscopic and observational findings of swallowing of traditional and molded puree in healthy individuals.

Puree is commonly prescribed for patients with mastication and bolus formation difficulties, but its appearance might negatively impact appetite and intake. Molded puree is marketed to be an alternative to traditional puree, but the process of molding puree could alter the properties of the food significantly and lead to different swallowing physiology as compared to puree. The current study investigated the differences between traditional and molded puree in terms of swallowing physiology and perception in healthy individuals.

Do Chinese speakers need a specialized cochlear implant system?

Background: Cochlear implants are a standard treatment option for the profoundly deaf, but have only recently become a treatment option in China. Chinese is a tonal language, and a change in the lexical tone almost always changes the meaning of a word.

Methods: A critical review of the strategies for improving the outcome of cochlear implantation in Chinese speakers was made.

Spoken word recognition in children with cochlear implants: a five-year study on speakers of a tonal language.

Objectives: To study the effects of age at implantation and duration of implant use on the performance of spoken word recognition of pediatric cochlear implantees in a tonal language setting over a period of 5 years.

Design: Sixty-four children, given implants between the ages 1:01 and 14:09 (years:months), were divided into three age groups. They were tested on open-set word recognition ability at seven time intervals from before surgery to 5 years after surgery.

Tone perception ability of Cantonese-speaking children.

Studies have shown that while children acquire all Cantonese tones by age two, they are not able to label them reliably until approximately age 10. One possible explanation for the large age discrepancy may be the different methodologies used. This study aimed to (1) investigate a new research design for the collection of reliable tone perception data from young children; (2) compare lexical and nonlexical items for testing tone perception ability; and (3) identify the relative ease of perceiving the three basic tone contrasts in Cantonese, that is, high level/high rising (T1/T2), high level/low falling (T1/T4), and, high rising/low falling tones (T2/T4).