Voice- Speech- and Communication Disorders 1, 4 credits

For admission to the 4th semester, the student may remain a maximum of 15 credits from previous semesters in the Study Programme in Speech-Language Pathology.

On completion of the course the student is expected to be able to:

• account for speech perception in individuals with hearing impairment
• account for normal development and aging of the voice and gender aspects
• account for prevalence, definition, aetiology, vocal fold status, symptoms and indications and evolution of treatment of commonly occurring voice disorders
• account for different assessment methods and analysis in different voice-, speech- and communication disorders
• explain the meaning of work-related voice disorder and voice ergonomics to be able to apply the knowledge during anamnesis and counselling
• describe and explain how room acoustics and environmental noise influence communication and relate to voice disorder and hearing impairment
• account for how technical aids can compensate for voice disorders and hearing impairment
• account for how technical equipment and acoustic environment may influence recordings of speech and voice intend for documentation and evalution  of intervention
• describe the prescription process for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aids and give examples of applications for individuals with communication problems related to hearing impairment and voice disorders
• reflect on communicative rights

The course includes theoretical and practical learning about voice function, voice disorders and hearing impairment and how these conditions influence communication.

• Occurrence, definition, etiology, vocal fold status, symptoms and indications for and evaluation of treatment of commonly occurring voice disorders.
• Perceptual and instrumental analysis of voice quality.
• The meaning of work-related voice disorder and voice ergonomics.
• Voice and speech deviations at hearing impairment.
• Speech perception in individuals with hearing impairment
• the influence of room acoustics and environmental noise on speech perception and speech production related to voice disorder andhearing impairment.

The course also contains an overview of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) included in the AAC-theme that starts semester 1.

Lectures, group work, seminars and laboratory sessions. Group work, seminars and laboratory sessions are compulsory.

After absence from compulsory teaching, the student him/herself is responsible to contact the teacher responsible for the course or module for a complementary assignment. The course coordinator assesses how absence from compulsory teaching sessions can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in compulsory course elements or compensated for any absence in accordance with instructions from the course coordinator.

Absence from a compulsory course element could mean that the student will not be able to recoup the element until next time the course is offered.

Written examination Written assignment and active participation in seminars/group work

The written examination is graded anonymously (using an identification code number for each student). Failed result on the written examination, the student has the right to another five examination occasions of which the first should be before the start of the following semester.The second re-examination occasion is the following regular examination on the course. Submission of blank exam is considered as an examination occasion. Examination occasion to which student has registered but not participated in is not counted as an examination occasion. Complementary assignments are also considered as an examination occasion.

The course has been cancelled and was offered for the last time in the spring semester of 2017. Examination will be provided until the spring of 2019 for students who have not completed the course.

Course evaluation will be carried out according to the guidelines established by the Board of Higher Education.