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‘What was I talking about?’ Memory and discourse in language impairment

This article discusses the function of the three theoretical components of working memory and their influence on discourse (the phonological assembly, the visuo-spatial sketchpad and the episodic buffer). The authors emphasise that the buffer is the key conceptual component responsible...

SpeechEasy® for stuttering

In this article, the authors describe their experiences with an altered auditory feedback (AAF) device: SpeechEasy® during a random clinical trial. AAF has been reported in other laboratory studies to reduce stuttering events without influencing the rate, intensity or frequency...

Reconstruction with scapular tip following hemimaxillectomy and rehabilitation with dental implants

Post ablative defects in the maxilla can be extremely complex, involve all three dimensions and may result in significant morbidity. Rehabilitation may be difficult with either an obturator or surgical reconstruction with a free fibula, Iliac crest or scapula. This...

Comparison of linguistic profiles in three groups of children with hearing loss and specific language impairment

Spoken language deficits in children with hearing loss early in life are attributed to auditory speech perception limitations. It is assumed that hearing following cochlear implants (CIs) will improve these language deficits. However, the studies have shown that although cochlear...

Direct intratemporal facial nerve to hypoglossal nerve coaptation for facial reanimation

The hypoglossal nerve is a common axonal source for dynamic facial nerve rehabilitation. In its regular and modified forms of splitting the nerve it is associated with tongue hemiatrophy, speech and swallow dysfunction, facial movement and hyper contracture. This case...

Which factors affect music involvement in implanted children’s everyday life?

During the last few years, cochlear implantation research has included music. Processing strategies and rehabilitation teams are now interested in music appreciation by implantees, as speech perception and production are no longer the only issues or targets. The present study...

All about velopharyngeal dysfunction

The velopharynx functionally separates the oral from the nasal cavities. Inadequate or abnormal function of this muscular valve affects speech and swallow. Velopharyngeal dysfunction can be subdivided into insufficiency, incompetence and mislearning. This is a review paper and indeed a...

Submental island flap to reconstruct the lower lip

The lips are necessary for oral competence, cosmesis, speech and feeding. Non-melanoma cancers can affect the lips, and the lower lips are about 80% more likely to be affected. A large number of these cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Treatment...

Do implants assist rehabilitation following mandibular reconstruction?

When undertaking mandibular reconstruction, optimal function and aesthetic rehabilitation is the goal. There is no doubt that patients consider chewing, swallowing and speech to be of paramount importance. Following surgery, suboptimal rehabilitation leads to a fall in quality of life...

Surgically improving pharyngeal paralysis and associated dysphagia

This was an interesting article explaining the current methods used to try and improve dysphagia and in some cases associated problematic aspiration following vagal injury. These patients are often those with other associated cranial neuropathies, with skull base lesions, brain...

Management of the ear in cleft lip and palate

The management of patients with cleft lip and palate includes a focus on effective speech and language function. Poor eustachian tube function and middle ear dysfunction mean over 90% of children suffer from otitis media with effusion. This article provides...

A guide to managing atypical communication in healthcare

This book provides the background theory as well as practical tips for communicating with different patient populations and varying conditions. Published in 2023, it is a recent book with a great deal of research and practice guidance embedded from various...