The Relationship between Short-term Memory and Phonological Awareness with Speech Intelligibility of Reading in Deaf Students

This study investigated the relationship between short-term memory and phonological awareness with speech intelligibility of reading in deaf students. Eighty-two deaf and hearing students from special and regular primary schools were selected. Wechsler intelligence digits span subtest was presented in visual and also verbal mode for measuring short term memory, Persian Phonological Awareness Test was used to measure phonological awareness. Speech intelligibility of reading was assessed by Speech Intelligibility Rating Scale. Findings indicated that short term memory span and phonological awareness in deaf children is lower than their hearing peers. Also, the relation between short-term memory span and phonological awareness and speech intelligibility was significant. Deaf students are poorer in short term memory and phonological awareness than hearing peers, in addition there is a significant relation between short-term memory and phonological awareness with speech intelligibility, so the role of intervention programs should be emphasized to improve these skills.