Effects of audio-visual information and mode of speech on listener perceptions of alaryngeal speakers

Abstract

There is minimal research on listener perceptions of an individual with a laryngectomy (IWL) based on audio-visual information. The aim of this research was to provide preliminary insight into whether listeners have different perceptions of an individual with a laryngectomy based on mode of presentation (audio-only vs. audio-visual) and mode of speech (tracheoesophageal, oesophageal, electrolaryngeal, normal). Thirty-four naïve listeners were randomly presented with a standard reading passage produced by one typical speaker from each mode of speech in both audio-only and audio-visual presentation mode. Listeners used a visual analogue scale (10 cm line) to indicate their perceptions of each speaker's personality. A significant effect for mode of speech was present. There was no significant difference in listener perceptions between mode of presentation using individual ratings. However, principal component analysis showed ratings were more favourable in the audio-visual mode. Results of this study suggest that visual information may only have a minor impact on listener perceptions of a speakers' personality and that mode of speech and degree of speech proficiency may only play a small role in listener perceptions. However, results should be interpreted with caution as results are based on only one speaker per mode of speech.

Keywords:

• Alaryngeal speech
• listener perception
• laryngectomy
• personality
• speech characteristics
• quality of life

Acknowledgments

Portions of this study were presented at the 2006 American Speech, Language, and Hearing (ASHA) Convention in Miami, FL. The authors would like to thank all of the participants, especially the IWL that provided the audio and audio-video samples. The authors would also like to thank Jeannette Hoit, Katie Hustad, and Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer for their editorial assistance on a previous version of this manuscript.

Note

1. Due to the inherent differences in the intelligibility of the three modes of alaryngeal speech, it is difficult to find similar intelligibility levels across all three modes of speech. This discrepancy, however, may reflect a more ecologically valid approach as the intelligibility rates for the electrolaryngeal speaker more closely approximates typical electrolaryngeal speech.