---

Background and Aim: Intonation has important roles on increase in intelligibility and conveyance correct meaning especially in conversational speech. Recognition of intonation correlates with three acoustic parameters: fundamental frequency, intensity and duration. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the acoustic correlation of intonation and intelligibility of speech in children with cochlear implant (CI) and compare with normal hearing (NH) children. 

Materials and Methods: This study has been carried out on 25 cochlear implant children and 25 children with normal hearing in primary school age ranges.Ten pictures were shown to children and statement and question sentences were elicited from them. To investigation of intelligibility, produced sentences were perceptually judgment by seven speech therapists and were scored by five point rating value. Acoustic correlationwere determined using Praat software.    

Results: The results showed that there were significantly difference between two groups in each of acoustic correlations (P<0.05). Intelligibility scores of CI children were significantly lower than ones of NH children (P<0.05). There were significantly correlation between intonation and intelligibility scores, also between intelligibility and duration of implant use (P<0.05).

Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, cochlear implant children's performance in using of acoustic correlation of intonation is lower than normal hearing peers that results in inappropriately intonation. Inappropriately intonation can be the cause of low intelligibility in cochlear implant children. Thus, intervention of intonation should be considered in treatment program of cochlear implant children.   

---

Abstract

Background and Aim: Proprioceptive problems, visuospatial deficits and muscle weakness are the main causes of weight bearing asymmetry and postural control impairment in chronic hemiparesis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between center of pressure parameters in quiet standing with eyes open and closed and functional balance tests and symmetry index in these patients.

Materials and Methods: In this correlation study, 16 stroke patients (mean age: 52.937±10.109 years), were selected by simple non-probability sapling. Force plate, Functional Reach and Timed Up and Go tests and scales were used in order to investigate postural sway parameters in quiet standing, functional balance and symmetry index, respectively.

Results: Moderate to high significant correlation was obtained between Timed Up and Go test and symmetry index and most of the postural sway parameters in eyes closed condition, while Functional Reach test had only moderate significant correlation with standard deviation of velocity (anterior-posterior) and phase plane total. Also symmetry index showed moderate correlation with most of the postural sway parameters.

Conclusion: Current study demonstrates the role of vision and task in correlation between center of pressure parameters, balance tests and symmetry index.

Key words: Correlation, Symmetric weight bearing, Postural sway, Functional Reach, Timed Up and Go, Force plate, Quiet standing