PHYL5513 Speech, Language and Communication

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)

If this unit does not have an online alternative, then students who are presently unable to enter Western Australia and whose studies would be delayed by an inability to complete this unit, should contact the unit coordinator (details given on this page) to ascertain, on an individual case-by-case basis, if alternate arrangements can be made to support their study in this unit.

AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Content
This unit presents an overview for audiologists of speech and language development, from early childhood through to adulthood, and relates it to difficulties associated with impaired hearing. Alternative communication systems (e.g. sign language) are also presented. Topics include the production of speech sounds, basic physiological linguistics, linguistic organisation, acoustic phonetics, phoniatrics, sonograms, normal loudness, pitch and timing perception, masking in speech perception, developmental milestones, speech and language development in normal and hearing-impaired children, auditory perception (in children and adults), psychological effects, effects on reading and general education, artificial speech, Makaton, Auslan and signed English.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) deconstruct principles of acoustic phonetics, including the production of vowels, consonants, dipthongs and affricates; (2) analyse speech sounds with time waveforms, spectra and spectograms; (3) analyse the linguistic structure of speech and its normal development; (4) appraise the process of speech and language development, including both normal and abnormal development patterns; (5) evaluate alternative communication strategies, including sign languages, pictorial languages and cued speech; (6) analyse impact of hearing loss on speech perception and speech development; and (7) evaluate common speech and language pathologies including word-finding issues, social communication difficulties, structural language impairments, literacy impairments, voice difficulties and cognitive impairments to the extent that they interfere with communication.
Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignment and (2) theory examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the assignment and theory examination components.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.
Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Helen Goulios and Dr Robyn Choi
Unit rules
Prerequisites:
enrolment in the Master of Clinical Audiology (90540) or the combined Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Audiology (00840); or the Master of Audiological Sciences (73560) and PHYL5510 Physiology of the Auditory System
Co-requisites:
for students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Audiology (90540) or the combined Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Audiology (00840):PHYL5511 Audiological Instrumental Part 2 and PHYL5512 Basic Clinical Audiology Part 2 and PHYL5514 Evoked Responses in Clinical Diagnosis (ID 3735); for students enrolled in the Master of Audiological Sciences (73560): PHYL5505 Introduction to Ear Diseases and Treatments and PHYL5506 Basic Paediatric Hearing Assessment and PHYL5514 Evoked Responses in Clinical Diagnosis (ID 3735)
Advisable prior study:
some biology or physiology is recommended
Contact hours
lectures/tutorials/labs: equivalent to 2 hours per week, but delivered in an intensive 5-week course in June–August; plus a self-paced speech analysis assignment
Text

Borden, G. J. et al. Speech Science Primer: Physiology, Acoustics and Perception of Speech, 3rd edn: Williams & Wilkins 1994

Recommended
reading

Denes, P. B. and Prinsen, E. N. The Speech Chain: the Physics and Biology of Spoken Language, 2nd edn: Freeman Press 1993

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  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.