the communication chain

speaker =

sender

listener =

receiver

responsible for creation of communication signal (speech)

sender

responsible for reception and comprehension of communication signal

receiver

sender considers what they want to say

linguistic level

sender's brain sends signals to muscles related to speech to create speech sounds

physiologic level

sound waves move in response to speaker's speech sounds

light waves respond to speakers movements

acoustic/optical level

receiver's ear responds to sound wave movement

physiologic level

receiver's brain analyzes signal to determine meaning

linguistic level

our understanding of language shapes the sounds and intent of a signal

linguistic level

speech sounds and characteristics

phonemes

words and expressions

lexicon

grammar rules

semantics

intention/meaning

ex: jokes & sarcasm

prosody

the level in which the body reacts to convey/understand the message

physiologic level

knowledge of language drives the muscles of the body to create motion required to create speech sound/signs

TOP DOWN PROCESSING

from the speaker (physiologic level)

the ear decodes the acoustic signal transmitted by the speaker

sends signal info to brain via neurons

BOTTOM UP PROCESSING

from the receiver (physiologic level)

message conveyed from the speaker to the receiver is passed through the air (called a medium)

ability for the message to reach the speaker is determined by the environment that communication is taking place

acoustic level

You are an audiologist seeing Sandra (78y/o, female). She presents

with her husband, John. John says he thinks that Sandra has a

hearing loss. Sandra disagrees and says that John mumbles when he

talks. When asked further, Sandra says that John talks to her from

the living room (downstairs) and gets mad when she can't hear him

upstairs.

What parts of the communication chain might be impacted?

acoustic/optical (seeing him mumble)

if sandra has hearing loss - physiological

You are an audiologist seeing Sandra (78y/o, female). She presents

with her husband, John. John says he thinks that Sandra has a

hearing loss. Sandra disagrees and says that John mumbles when he

talks. When asked further, Sandra says that John talks to her from

the living room (downstairs) and gets mad when she can't hear him

upstairs.

who is the sender and who is the reciever?

sender: john

receiver: sandra

the ability to produce meaningful utterances

spoken or signed

language "output"

expressive language

ability to comprehend words

can include spoken or signed language

considered language "input"

receptive language

able to produce meaningful words (mama)

responds to simple phrases

1 year

two word phrases

expressive of at least 40 words

receptive of at least 50

2 years

grammatically correct sentences

expressive of at least 200 words

receptive of at least 400

95% of speech is adult-like and understandable by others (strangers inclusive)

4 years

identifying and describing the word

ex: dog = fluffy

comprehension

ability to label, name, or point to a specific sound, word, or spoken message after hearing it

ex: hearing cat and pointing to a picture of a cat

identification

playing 2 sounds and being able to differentiate the two

ex: saying cat and bat

discrimination

basic hearing

ex: is there a sound yes or no

detection

when the sender reviews their message and ensures its accuracy

ex: when you misspeak and recognize it

places an important role in the communication chain

feedback

the sender hears their message and checks that it was produced appropriately

how feedback occurs auditorily

the sender assesses the reaction of the receiver to ensure appropriate response

how feedback occurs visually

children must hear themselves speak to adjust pitch, volume, and articulation

impairment of this leads to language delays and improper lang. development

auditory feedback loop

You are an Early Intervention (EI) Speech-Language Pathologist seeing Carl, a two-year male who is brought in by his mother. Mom is concerned that Carl is not meeting his language milestones. Per mom, he says "dada" intermittently but does not seem to have a lot of meaningful speech. Mom says that Carl did not pass his newborn hearing screening but was told that is normal because he might have fluid in his ears.

Is Carl at a language-appropriate level for his age?

If not, what aspects of the communication chain are impacted?

How would you counsel his mother? What would you recommend?

No. Carl has delayed expressive language for age 2.

Impacted: Hearing and expressive/receptive language.

Recommend: Hearing test, SLP evaluation, and Early Intervention.

manual communication

sign langauge

aural/oral communication

speaking

primarily sign (culture)

hearing loss is not an impairment

Deaf (capital)

generally accepted term

hard of hearing

refers to the physical, medical condition of hearing loss

deaf (lowercase)

complete, natural visual language with its own unique grammar and syntax

American Sign Language

Signed English strictly follows English word order (Subject-Verb-Object) and signs every single word.

signed English

development starts in the

front of the mouth

development ends in the

back of the mouth

if not language profile is developed before 3 this could lead to

delayed language

pass/fail

checking to see if there is a potential hearing loss

if you refer, there could be an issue

screening

finding out why you referred

will reveal diagnosis

diagnostic

legal plan that defines special ed instruction, supports and services for a public school student with a disability

IEP (Individualized Education Program)