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Using Mobile Technology and Real-World Vocalization Samples to Generate Quantitative Metrics of Vocal Communication for Minimally-Speaking Individuals

Award Number: K25DC021502
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2029

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Using Mobile Technology and Real-World Vocalization Samples to Generate Quantitative Metrics of Vocal Communication for Minimally-Speaking Individuals - Using Mobile Technology and Real-World Vocalization Samples to Generate Quantitative Metrics of Vocal Communication for Minimally-Speaking Individuals Over one million individuals remain minimally-speaking past the age of 5, often communicating through vocalizations that contain little to no speech. Yet, little is known about the vocal communication of profoundly affected minimally-speaking individuals. Current speech and communication metrics are often normalized based on typically-developing individuals and fail to adequately capture the skills of minimally-speaking individuals. Moreover, measures that are designed for this population are generally qualitative, relying on caregiver reports or examiner observations from a short clinical visit. The lack of quantitative communication measures that map how vocalizations from minimally-speaking individuals develop over time has profound consequences for researchers, clinicians, families, and the individuals themselves. The lack of quantitative communication measures designed for this population has profound consequences for researchers, clinicians, families, and the individuals: Clinical trials have failed to advance because the outcome measures did not capture the subtle changes in participants’ development, and families of minimally-speaking individuals consistently list communication as one of their top research priorities. This proposal aims to generate a sensitive, quantitative metric of vocal communication for minimally-speaking individuals by tracking their phonological vocalization complexity over time. To achieve this aim, I will enroll n=90 individuals (ages 6-35 years, enrolled equally over the age range) with fewer than 50 spoken words using a smartphone app I previously developed and deployed. This app allows caregivers to record a vocalization and label its meaning with the tap of a button in their homes and natural environments. Caregivers will be prompted to elicit and record as many vocalizations as possible during daily ten-minute intervals for one week every six months for two years. Using this unique database of real-world vocalizations, I will characterize the complexity of vocal communication across and within individuals over time (Aims 1 and 2) and will examine how this metric relates to established assessments (Aim 3). I will also explore acoustic-based metrics that capture vocalization complexity in an objective and scalable manner. The results of this work will allow us to determine sensitive vocal communication milestones for profoundly affected minimally-speaking individuals and appropriate outcome measures for clinical trials and interventions.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $140,617 )
2026	2026	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	7/20/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$140,617
														Subtotal = $140,617

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $140,238 )
2025	2025	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	7/25/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$140,238
														Subtotal = $140,238

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $140,458 )
2024	2024	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	1	9/13/2024	NEW	$10,396
2024	2024	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	7/31/2024	NEW	$130,062
														Subtotal = $140,458

Grand Total All Awards = $421,313

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Using Mobile Technology and Real-World Vocalization Samples to Generate Quantitative Metrics of Vocal Communication for Minimally-Speaking Individuals

Award Number: K25DC021502

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2029

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