s-Visualizer Software

One of the most common articulatory deviations by hard-of-hearing children is an incorrect pronunciation of sibilant consonants such as /s/ or / /, with /s/ being the greatest problem, since it requires a very accurate tongue placement and shape. The difficulty hearing-impaired children and adults have in producing /s/ consonants is largely due to the fact that their hearing losses usually are strongest in the higher frequency ranges at which the acoustic energy in an /s/ consonant is located.

To aid in the evaluation and correction of sibilant consonants, the s-Visualization System (or s-Visualizer) from Glottal Enterprises provides a convenient, color-differentiated, easy-to-interpret real-time display of audio energies that clearly differentiates proper and improper pronunciations of sibilant consonants. The system will work on any Windows-based computer, including modern Macintosh computers that can run Windows. Unlike general purpose acoustic spectrum displays, the s-Visualizer provides a simple chart display that even a young child can use, and that clearly shows where the consonant production attempts are in the stream of speech.

A properly articulated “s” will be indicated on the display in green. Operation of the system with continuous speech is illustrated in the following chart showing two repetitions of the sentence “Susan saw Sam Sunday.” The first repetition, at left, has correctly articulated s consonants. In the second repetition, the s consonants were produced incorrectly, with the tongue too close to the upper teeth.

The s-Visualization System comes with a good-quality electret headset microphone and can be used on any modern Windows computer.

Correctly pronounced s consonants are shown by the green peaks. Text and arrows have been added to make clear the connection between each correct s and the corresponding green peak.