Listening to deaf speech: does experience count?

Listening for intelligibility in disordered speech involves a complex interaction of factors, including listener experience. This study examines intelligibility as perceived by two groups (experienced and inexperienced listeners) in interpreting deaf speech. Speech samples were gathered from a hearing-impaired child over thirteen months, immediately post cochlear implantation. Results indicate that experienced listeners interpret more of disordered speech than inexperienced, but while experience appears to be a factor in intelligibility judgements, it does not alone guarantee higher intelligibility rating.