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Background and aim: Muscles that contribute in production of sound have an important role in specific language. Knowledge of normal activities of these muscles is very important in language dysfunction and pathologic conditions. Needle electromyography is complementary approach in clinical evaluations of above conditions but it is a painful method for evaluating of the patient. Surface electromyography can be used to neurophysiological behaviors and effect of treatment interventions and is accepted by scientific academies. The purpose of this study is appointment of new approach in this area.

 Materials and methods: Sixty eight healthy subjects (34 female and 34 male) in range of 20-30 years old were contributed after supplement of questioner form in this study. Subjects sat in a chair with arm rest and recording electrodes placed on muscles of Thyroarytenoid and Cricothyroid of both side (right and left) at middle and lower parts of throat, near of 1 cm from midline.  Silent activity and fricative voice (z-zh) and voiceless (s-sh) activities recorded randomly at 10 second with interval rest between them for 5 repetition. All of signals processed and then compared in time, frequency and non linear measurements.

 Results: Non linear values such as Percent of recurrence, Entropy were reduced significantly in fricative voice (P<0.05).

 Conclusion:  Surface activity recording of Thyroarytenoid and Cricothyroid muscles is possible and sensitive parameter is non linear values. Surface electromyography is new approach for assessment of above muscle in clinical evaluation of speech pathologic conditions.    

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Background and aim: The aim of this study was to determine effect of home based lovaas approach on social interaction, Speech and language, Play and behavior skills, and intensity of autism in young children with Autism

Materials & Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental, interventional pre/post design. Thirty children with Autism were selected by convenience sampling in a rehabilitation center by matching closely, 8 years old, in Tehran city.

The impact of lovaas approach was evaluated in children with Autism. For evaluation total scores and dimension of social interaction skills speech and language play a behavior before and after therapeutic intervention we used The PDD assessment scale/screening questionnaire. The results were analyzed with paired T test and wilcoxon signed and multivariate T² Hotteling and SPSS software edition 17.

Results: After intervention PDD assessment scores decreased (P<0/001). Significant progress were observed in social interaction skills (P<0/001).Speech and language (P=0/001), play (p<0/001) and behavior (P= 0/002). Significant decrease wasn't seen in the intensity of PDD after intervention (P> 0/05).

Conclusion: The result showed that home based lovaas approach increased the social interaction, Speech and language, Play and behavior skills in children with Autism 

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 Background and aim: The main problem of people with hearing loss is difficulty of hearing in background noise. One of the best tests that are used to evaluate speech perception in background noise is Quick Speech in Noise Test. The purpose of current study is to assess test-retest reliability and list equivalency of the Persian version of Quick Speech in Noise Test in young people with normal hearing. 

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 36 young (18-35 years old) individuals with normal hearing. Materials were presented via compact disk of Persian version of quick speech in noise test with standard earphone. Almost one week after test session, re-test was performed. All of the correct words were scored and then signal to noise ratio loss was calculated.

Results: The mean SNR Loss was -1.5±0.74 dB. there was significant difference between test- retest scores for lists 1(p<0/05) and no significant difference between test- retest scores for lists 2, 3 and 4(p>0/05). There was significant difference between mean results of list 4 with list 1(p<0/05). There was significant difference for test- retest Pearson's Correlation in all lists.

Conclusion: Lists 2 and 3 of Persian version of Quick Speech in Noise Test are reliable and equivalent for determining signal to noise ratio loss.

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 Background and aim: Nowadays, importance of multidimensional approach in evaluating of stuttering  is obvious. Stuttering aspects evaluation provided by speech situation checklist. In this study, validity and reliability of this checklist is performed on stuttering and non- stuttering  (6-11 years old) pupils. 

Material and methods: In this research, 43 stutterer and 45 non-stutterer pupils were evaluated.

After equalization of questionnaire to Persian language, emotional reaction & speech disruption questionnaire were completed according to their attitude . In order to test validity, four methods were used. Data were analyzed by parametric and non-parametric statistical tests

Results: Comparison of score average of speech disruption and emotional reaction tests showed significant difference between stutter and non-stutter groups for Persian language children (p<0.05). Emotional reaction and speech disruption checklist (Persian version) has high test-retest (p=0.000,Icc>0.86) and internal validity (p=0.000,α >0.93).

Conclusion: Persian equalized speech disruption and emotional reaction tests have high validity and reliability. it might be useful to differentiate stuttering pupil among normal ones.  

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Background and Aim: Children with speech and language disorders have a reduced diadochokinesis rates.. The purpose of this study was to compare the oral diadochokinesis with rate of speech and reading in normal students.
Materials and Methods: One hundred of fifth grade female students were participated in this descriptive - comparative study. All subjects were native speakers of persion who passed an informal screening test of articulation and speech. None of subjects had a history of speech, hearing, behavioral and neurological disorders. The subjects were asked to read a text of their book, tell a story and perform some oral diadochokinesis tasks (flecher`s criterion).The time was measured by Cool Edit. Descriptive statistics and compared t-test were used for analysis .
Results : the syllable / tâ /had the highest rate of diadochokinesis , while the syllables /pa/ and / kâ/ were in the next orders ( 3.96,4.01, 4.52).The rate of reading was higher than the rate of talking. There was a significant relationship between the reading rate and diadochokinesis in / kâ / (P=0.02) and / pâtâkâ / (P=0.02)
Conclusion: the results indicate that there is no relation between the rate of speech and diadochokinesis but there is a significant relation between Reading rate and diadochokinesis in some tasks..

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Background and Aim: The standard tests are tools for quantifying different aspects of speech & language abilities and communicative skills. However developing and applying standard tests is necessary for assessing, screening, defining the speech & language abilities, diagnosing the speech & language disorders and attending to outcomes of treatment process. Therefore in this study for providing general view of speech & language assessment tests, we reviewed some of tests related to some important aspects of speech & language abilities.
Method: This research is a review study based on American speech-language and hearing association. We reviewed exactly the tests that are in this association site because it is one of comprehensive and reliable references for speech-language pathologists. Just four most practical aspects of them, from the first test developed to now (2010), are selected and then analyzed.
Results: In this study, 251 tests of assessment of speech and language are reviewed. 54 tests are related to articulation and phonological assessment. One hundred and forty tests are related to assessment of children expressive language. Forty three tests are available for assessing the expressive language in adult. 14 tests are presented for evaluating autistic children.
Conclusion: However there are widespread spectrum of standard tests but it is necessary to develop other tests in different aspects of speech and language pathology.

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  Background and Aim: Speech in noise test (SINT) surveys the ability of person in extracting speech from ambient noise. Temporal resolution (TR) is ability of person to understand changes of stimulus over time that has important role in speech perception. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age and sex on SINT and TR in individuals with normal hearing.

  

  Materials and Methods: SINT was done in the most comfortable level in 3 SNRs 0,-10 and -20 dB and Gap detection test (GDT) in 4 intensity levels in two age groups 25-40 yrs old (included 14 persons) and 41 -55 yrs old ( included 15 persons).

  

  Results: There was a significant difference between word recognition scores (WRSs) in quiet and in the presence of noise in each age group (P<0.0001). Significant difference was shown between two age groups in WRS s in two SINs of - 10 and- 20 dB (P≤0.02). WRS difference between silence and 3 SINs in two sexes was significant (P≤0.04). Significant difference was the revealed between GDT thresholds in 4 intensity levels (P<0.0001). Sex and age had no effects on GDT thresholds .

  

  Conclusions: According to our results, despite of normal hearing thresholds with increasing age WRS and GDT are reduced. It seems that, WRS and speech perception in female are better than male.

  

  Key words: Speech in Noise Test, Temporal Resolution, Age, Sex