Evaluation of the vowel corrector as a speech training device for the deaf.

The Vowel Correcter, a device giving visual information about the identity of vowels spoken in monosyllabic words, was tested on a group of deaf boys. The description of the actual experiment is preceded by a number of considerations relating to the application of an articulation correcter in a speech therapy program for the deaf. The deaf subjects participating in the experiment were divided into two groups: an experimental and a control group. The experimental subjects trained with the Vowel Correcter, while the subjects in the control group were trained by a professional speech trainer. At four moments in time data were collected with respect to the effect of training on pronunciation: before, during and directly after training, as well as 3 weeks later. On these occasions, recordings were made of the subjects pronouncing the list of words that was used during training, a list of words not used during training (transfer to other material) and a short text (transfer to another speech mode). Afterwards the recorded speech sounds were identified by two naive listeners. Subsequently the results were subjected to statistical analysis. I t could be concluded that the effect found in the experimental group is at least as largo as the effect found in the control group which is considered a positive result. Implications of the findings are discussed.