Increasing Intelligibility of Speech in a Prelingually Deaf Adult in /x/ and /xa/ Contexts

The goal of this project was to study the possibility of improving intelligibility of speech without relying on auditory feedback and upon relying on other senses like kinesthetic, visual and tactile senses. Methodes & Materials: Intelligibility of a prelingually deaf adult was measured in the intended contexts of /x/ sound and /xa/ syllable before and after treatment. For assessment of intelligibility before and after treatment ‘Item Identification’ and ‘Rating Scale’ methods were used. The intervention was carried out through 10 one-hour sessions, held thrice a week. Based on three native Farsi Speakers’ judgments, the intelligibility of the /x/ sound and the /xa/ syllable improved from unintelligible to intelligible before and after the intervention. Based on the rating scale, the average improvement rate in both items was estimated at 86.67%. The treatment provided increased the intelligibility of speech in the aforementioned contexts. We may, therefore, conclude that intelligibility can improve without relying on the auditory sense and upon relying on other senses.