Our Vocal Tract Development Laboratory studies the development of the mouth and throat structures in typically and atypically developing individuals. The purpose is to understand how changes in the anatomy of the mouth and throat affect speech sounds. We use a variety of methods to address this goal including:

•   Taking measurements from medical imaging studies such as CT or MRI scans

• Asking volunteer participants to breathe into a tube (Pharyngometer) to measure the inside of the mouth and throat using the reflection of sound waves.

• Recording volunteer participants' speech and analyzing the speech waveforms.

You can help by choosing to participate in one of our ongoing studies!

Note to parents and families of children/adolescents with Down Syndrome  (ages 4 to 20 years) interested in research participation. Please see children and adolescent speech and sound reflection study link below for more information:  

- Children and Adolescent Speech and Sound Reflection Study
- Adult Speech and Sound Reflection Study : only recruiting adults who have or will have a head and neck medical imaging study