Speech-Language Pathology Research
Investigators within the Division of Speech-Language Pathology at Cincinnati Children’s engage in research designed to help children achieve the best possible clinical outcomes.
Studies target a wide range of conditions including voice disorders, feeding and swallowing issues, resonance disorders and VPD (velopharyngeal dysfunction), and speech-language disorders.
We collaborate closely with clinical colleagues and researchers in other divisions to improve our understanding of speech-language pathology conditions and develop innovative therapies.
Our Research
Our teams lead studies and also partner with research investigations in other divisions, including:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Genetics
- Otolaryngology
- Plastic Surgery
- Pulmonary Medicine
We take part in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS). This data collection registry lets us benchmark our outcomes data with other pediatric treatment settings. NOMS compares treatment outcomes before and after therapy across various conditions, allowing us to improve care.
Our current areas of research include:
- Benefit of breathing strategies in treatment of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction
- Clinical care flow for patients referred for assessment of possible lip and tongueties
- Efficacy of language and feeding therapy services after hospital discharge in medically complex pediatric patients
- Efficacy of ultrasound treatment for speech sound disorders
- Measurement of swallowing pressures with high-resolution pharyngeal manometry study
- Medical chart mining to study efficacy of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction breathing techniques
- Multidisciplinary feeding tube weaning in children with cardiac conditions
- Narrowing care gaps for early language delay
- Outcomes of family-initiated treatment for speech-language disorders
- Outcome of pediatric voice therapy in children who are status post airway reconstruction
- Outcomes of voice therapy in children with vocal fold nodules
- Speech and language outcomes in children with a history of premature birth
- Surgical outcomes for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
- Type and severity Language disorders in children with psychiatric diagnoses
- Voice outcomes registry
Training Future Researchers
In addition to our research, we mentor post-doctoral students and clinical fellows who seek to develop speech-language pathology research skills throughout their careers. Whenever possible, we partner with trainees to prepare them to lead speech-language pathology research studies in the future.
We also invite capstone and graduate students to work with us on research projects.
