Social and Vocational Acceptability of Esophageal Speakers Compared to Normal Speakers

Abstract

This study explored the social and vocational acceptability of esophageal compared to normal speakers. Of specific interest was the estimation of the effect of (1) visual, auditory, and simultaneous audio-visual presentation of the speakers, and (2) simple expository introductions of the speakers. A group of 480 subjects, members of business and professional men’s groups, evaluated the four speakers on one social and three vocational criteria. Statistical analysis indicated the esophageal speakers were perceived as being significantly less acceptable than the normal speakers regardless of whether the judgments were based on visual, auditory, or simultaneous visual and auditory impressions. Information about the esophageal speakers significantly raised their acceptability, with the exception of the criterion of public contact in employment. The criterion measures used in this study might serve as objective indicators of the degree to which communicative disorders handicap adults.

Evaluation of voice by patients and close relatives following different laryngeal cancer treatments

“…Successful therapeusis for laryngeal carcinoma encompasses long-term survival of the patients and raises, therefore, the issue of the patient's quality of life once medical management is complete. The psychosocial impact of total laryngectomy has received some attention in the professional literature [16][17][18][19][20][21]; however, the effects of more conservative procedures are less well documented. Because one of the most noticeable and persisting sequelae of laryngeal cancer is alteration of voice and speech, the focus of the present investigation is to describe the perceptual voice and speech characteristics of posttreatment laryngeal cancer patients and their reactions to their voices.…”

The impact of stuttering on employment opportunities and job performance

“…Although there may be several reasons stuttering negatively impacts one's work and/or career choice, it is fair to say that this is not simply because it takes people who stutter longer to say what they need to say. According to Gilmore (1974), equal opportunity for the communicatively disabled can be restricted in two ways: (1) by the negative attitudes of the non-disabled, and (2) by the resulting negative attitudes the disabled may develop towards themselves. The communicatively disabled, writes Gilmore, can experience rejection, penalty, and consequent anxiety, frustration, and withdrawal.…”

Listeners’ perceptions of the personality of male alaryngeal speakers

“…Currently, there is minimal information on listener attitudes toward an IWL. Gilmore (16) investigated the social and vocational acceptability of ES speakers using 480 male businessmen and professionals as the listeners. Speakers were rated on social and vocational criteria.…”