Current Research

Children with voice disorders show differences in both their voice and speech systems. The lab is examining these systems in children with and without voice disorders. Our work primarily focuses on acoustic measure of voice, articulation, and vocal-articulatory coordination.

Research examining the voices of adults with and without voice disorders is ongoing in the Vocal Development Lab. Within the Department of Communication, Sciences, and Disorders, the lab is collaborating with Katie Donocoff a Clinical Assistant Professor at Temple University who provides voice therapy to patients through the Temple University Speech-Language-Hearing Center. The Vocal Development Lab is also collaborating with faculty at the Temple’s Voice, Airway & Swallowing Center.

In collaboration with the Speech and Neurodevelopment Lab and the Speech Motor Impairment and Learning Lab the Vocal Development Lab is examining using infant non-nutritive suck as a diagnostic measure of future speech production. Dr. Heller Murray (Co-I) will examine vocal development in children from 3 months to 3 years in infants born preterm and full term.