Ziegler, W. & von Cramon, D. (1983). Vowel distortion in traumatic dysarthria: A formant study. Phonetica, 40,63-78. Type of Study Research study with controls Subjects 8 males; ages 20-30 9 gender-matched, age-matched controls Diagnoses Severe TBI Normal controls Speech Condition Severe dysarthria after being nonverbal Purpose To find phonetic segments which are highly affected by TBI to provide a sensitive means of assessment. To identify a simple acoustic index of improvement to describe the recovery process. Methods Subjects were recorded saying 3 vowels, /u/, /a/, and /e/, in words. Formant trajectories were estimated using Markel's decision algorithm  FORMNT. A steady-state segment was determined for each vowel within each trajectory. Results The basic formant pattern of traumatic dysarthria is characterized by vowel reduction. Vowel durations were longer than the controls. Articulators did not reach their targets. Treatment Implications n/a   Assessment Treatment Speech Characteristics Books and Book Chapters Instruments Other Links Search Home   To return to the Abstract References, click on Assessment , Treatment  , or Speech Characteristics or use your browser to go Back.