G. Nike Gnanateja, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Speech Processing and Auditory Neuroscience (SPAN) Laboratory
Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Using Naturalistic Speech to Study Speech Language Processing
This talk will explore the use of naturalistic/continuous speech paradigms in understanding speech, language, and hearing processes. Unlike traditional isolated word or sentence tasks, continuous speech provides a more ecologically valid approach to studying how humans process spoken language. I will discuss how this methodology reveals the dynamic interplay between acoustic, linguistic, and cognitive processes during real-world communication. Recent advances in neuroimaging and computational techniques have enabled researchers to track neural responses to continuous speech with unprecedented temporal precision. This has led to new insights into how the brain segments and integrates information across multiple timescales, from phonemes to discourse-level structures. I will present evidence showing how continuous speech paradigms have enhanced our understanding of speech perception in both normal-hearing listeners and clinical populations. I will highlight specific applications in 1) hearing loss, 2) studying auditory and language development, and 3) acquired language disorders. I will conclude by discussing future directions and methodological considerations for implementing continuous speech paradigms in research and clinical settings. This approach promises to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and real-world speech processing.