Who is doing the research?
- Researchers in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences.
What is the research about?
- We want to learn more about why some people develop voice disorders. We are studying whether people with voice disorders show differences in their sensory and motor control mechanisms for voice and speech, compared to people without voice disorders.
What will I be asked to do?
- You will be asked to participate in one session, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours long.
- You will participate in a hearing screening to confirm that you are eligible.
- You will be asked to fill out questionnaires that ask about how your voice impacts your life, and how effective you feel your communication is.
- You will be asked to participate in speech recordings.
- You will be asked to participate in a series of speaking and listening tasks, where you will repeatedly say or hear vowels and one-syllable words.
- During speaking tasks, we will audio-record your voice, and record muscle activity with electrodes taped to the front of your neck.
Who can participate?
- Adults who are native speakers of English,
- Adults who are 18 years or older,
- Individuals who have been diagnosed with a voice disorder, such as muscle tension dysphonia, nodules, polyps, cysts, vocal fold scar, or other voice disorders, and have no other history of communication or hearing disorders
OR
- Individuals with no history of voice, communication, or hearing disorders, or any other disorder affecting the brain.
Will I be compensated?
- You will receive $20.00 per hour for completing the sessions.
- You will be paid at the end of each session.
Does participation affect any treatment you are receiving?
- NO! Participation in this study is entirely independent of any medical treatment you may be receiving.
- You are free to discontinue your participation in this study at any time.
How can I learn more?
- You can call Mara Kapsner-Smith, Ph.C., CCC-SLP, in the Vocal Function Laboratory at 206-616-0312. The voice mail is private. Only researchers in the laboratory have access to the voice mail. You can also send an e-mail to: mkapsner@uw.edu. Please note: If you choose to contact us by e-mail, we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information sent or received in this manner.