Speech Dysfunction

Background: The main speech organ that affects the pronunciation of the various vowels is the tongue. The relationships between posture and voice, and between the position of the tongue at rest and posture, have been proven, but the relationship between pronunciation and posture has not yet been proven. The rationale for examining this relationship is that the imbalance and differing loads in poor neck and head posture cause different muscular arrangements of the muscles that support the jaw, tongue, and neck, which will thus affect pronunciation. Objectives: To examine the relationship between posture, tongue position, and the correct pronunciation in subjects with and without pronunciation disorders. In addition, to examine the effect of a muscle strengthening program on these characteristics. Methods: The study will include two parts. The first part will be a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to examine speech therapists' perceptions of the relationship and importance of posture and pronunciation. The second part will include a prospective interventional clinical study to examine the relationship between tongue position at rest and pronunciation, posture, and muscle strength. In addition, the effect of adding muscle-strengthening training to conventional pronunciation therapy on the process of acquiring correct pronunciation will be examined.

The goal of this feasibility study is to explore rehabilitation outcomes, usability and user experience of a web-based platform for delivering treatment for cognitive and language impairment amongst adults with acquired neurological disorders in critical illness and stroke disorders. The main question it aims to answer is: " Is it feasible to use a web-based platform for delivering rehabilitation treatment in a large acute National Health Care Organisation" Participants will undergo therapy sessions prescribed by therapists on a web-based platform instead of the conventional paper-based therapy sessions for their cognitive and speech rehabilitation needs.

To perform a multi-site prospective study assessing, both subjectively and objectively, the gender disparities in speech outcomes of patients using TEP after total laryngectomy. The investigators hypothesize that speech outcomes, both subjective and objective measures, will be significantly poorer for female patients compared to male patients. The outcome of the study is to prospectively assess both subjective and objective gender disparities in voice and speech outcomes of patients using TEP after total laryngectomy across a multiple institutions. The investigators hypothesize that both subjective and objective measurements of voice, speech and quality of life will be poorer for female patients in comparison to male patients.