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Abstract
Two recordings of an infant hearing aid user were obtained in the infant’s home environment using LENA technology—recording one (9-months) and recording two (11-months). Target vowel sounds (/a/, /i/, and /u/) were subjected to perceptual and acoustic analysis. When comparing acoustic measures (collapsed across vowel types) to norms, the infant’s vocalizations were within normal limits—albeit the lower end of normal. Using ANOVA and Tukey-HSD tests, vowel type, age, vowel interaction over time, and communication partner were tested for association to acoustic measures (F0, F1, F2, F3). Statistical analyses demonstrated vowel type significantly influenced all acoustic measures. Examination of the observed acoustic measures by vowel type revealed the infant’s productions deviated from the normative ranges in some instances. F3 was significantly lower for all vowels at both 9-and-11-months. An association between F2 and communication partner was found, indicating the infant’s mother significantly impacted the infant’s F2 values.