Measures of inferred subglottal air pressure, glottal airflow waveform characteristics, sound pressure level (SPL) and the acoustic spectral slope were studied for individual speakers with normal voices. Combinations of different levels... more
Measures of inferred subglottal air pressure, glottal airflow waveform characteristics, sound pressure level (SPL) and the acoustic spectral slope were studied for individual speakers with normal voices. Combinations of different levels of subglottal air pressure and varying glottal configurations could result in the same SPL. Relatively high air pressure levels were associated with a steep spectral slope, reflecting a more sinusoidal glottal waveform and a relatively abducted membranous glottis, which would result in damping of F1. Data suggested that the interarytenoid glottal opening could vary without systematically affecting SPL or voice quality. The results indicate that the principles of production-related economy of effort and physiological, acoustic and perceptual constraints may apply to voice production.
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Page 1. 44 American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology Vol. 5 No. 1 February 1996 Clinical Focus American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology Vol. 5 1058-0360/96/ 0501-0044 © American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ...
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This paper demonstrates that linear discriminant analysis using aerodynamic and acoustic features is effective in discriminating speakers with vocal-fold nodules from normal speakers. Simultaneous aerodynamic and acoustic measurements of... more
This paper demonstrates that linear discriminant analysis using aerodynamic and acoustic features is effective in discriminating speakers with vocal-fold nodules from normal speakers. Simultaneous aerodynamic and acoustic measurements of vocal function were taken of 14 women with bilateral vocal-fold nodules and 12 women with normal voice production. Features were extracted from the glottal airflow waveform and peaks in the acoustic spectrum for the vowel /ae/. Results show that the subglottal pressure, air flow, and open quotient are increased in the nodules group. Estimated first-formant bandwidths are increased, but result in minimal change in the first-formant amplitudes. There is no appreciable decrease in high frequency energy. Speakers with nodules may be compensating for the nodules by increasing the subglottal pressure, resulting in relatively good acoustics but increased air flows. The two best features for discrimination are open quotient and subglottal pressure
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Summary: An important clinical issue concerns the efficacy of current voice therapy approaches in treating voice disorders, such as vocal nodules. Much research focuses on finding reliable methods for documentation of treatment results.... more
Summary: An important clinical issue concerns the efficacy of current voice therapy approaches in treating voice disorders, such as vocal nodules. Much research focuses on finding reliable methods for documentation of treatment results. In this second treatment study of ten patients with vocal nodules, who participated in a behaviorally based voice therapy program, 11 aerodynamic (transglottal air pressure and glottal waveform) and acoustic (spl, f0, and spectrum slope) measures were used. Three pretherapy baseline assessments were carried out, followed by one assessment after each of five therapy phases. Measurements were made of two types of speech materials: Strings of repeated /pae/ syllables and sustained /ae/ phonations in two loudness conditions: comfortable loudness and loud voice. The data were normalized using z-scores, which were based on data from 22 normal subjects. The results showed that the aerodynamic measures reflected the presence of vocal pathology to a higher degree than did the acoustic spectral measures, and they should be useful in studies comparing nodule and normal voice production. Large individual session-to-session variation was found for all measures across pretherapy baseline recordings, which contributed to nonsignificant differences between baseline and therapy data.
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The aim of this study was to assess the effects on vocal function of voice therapy for vocal nodules. Perceptual and physiological progressive changes were examined during a strictly structured, behaviorally based voice therapy protocol... more
The aim of this study was to assess the effects on vocal function of voice therapy for vocal nodules. Perceptual and physiological progressive changes were examined during a strictly structured, behaviorally based voice therapy protocol in which 11 women with vocal nodules participated. Randomized audio recordings from pretherapy and from each of the therapy approaches (vocal hygiene, respiration, direct facilitation, carryover) were used for perceptual evaluations. Six speech-language pathologists rated ten voice quality parameters. Two evaluation procedures were performed and compared. Interlistener reliability was sufficiently high in both tests. Significant effects of therapy were found for decreased overall dysphonia, press, instability, gratings, roughness, vocal fry, and “scrape.” Nonsignificant group effects were found for breathiness, aphonic instances, and lack of sonority. No significant parameter changes occurred between baseline assessment and the completion of the initial (vocal hygiene) phase of therapy. Significant changes were found following the direct facilitation and respiration phases of therapy. Videostroboscopic evaluations made by two laryngologists showed that in no case were the nodules completely resolved. However, the nodules had decreased in size and edema was reduced after therapy for all clients, but one. Combined results suggest: (1) Alterations in vocal function were reflected in perceptual parameters, and (2) the voice therapy had a positive effect on voice quality, vocal status, and vocal function for the majority of the vocal nodule clients.
Research Interests: Voice, Humans, Voice Disorders, Female, Male, and 5 moreVoice Quality, Clinical Sciences, Adult, Laryngoscopy, and Voice Training
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This exploratory study reports instrumental and subjective data for 25 male-to-female transsexual (M-F TS) individuals using their attempted female voice. The aim was to examine the usefulness of phonetograms and aerodynamic measures for... more
This exploratory study reports instrumental and subjective data for 25 male-to-female transsexual (M-F TS) individuals using their attempted female voice. The aim was to examine the usefulness of phonetograms and aerodynamic measures for voice assessment of this client group.Descriptive and correlational.Phonetogram speech-range profiles (SRPs) were recorded for the M-F TS participants' attempted female voice. Transglottal air pressure and airflow were estimated from oral recordings. All recordings were made in typical- and loud-voice conditions. Relationships among acoustical and aerodynamic measurements, background data, self-evaluations, and auditory perceptual ratings were examined. M-F TS data were compared with male and female normative data.Agreement between naive and voice-expert listeners as well as intra- and interlistener reliability was good. Fundamental frequency (F0) accounted for 41–49% of variation in gender ratings for the group, but individual exceptions were found. Background data did not account for female voice success. Perceptual ratings of strain and breathiness were low. No data indicated hyperfunctional vocal behavior. The aerodynamic data agreed with normative male high-pitch data. The speech sound pressure level (SPL) was higher than the female norms. Phonetogram speech-range data fell between male and female data.The importance of speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) in perception of gender was confirmed. Instrumental and subjective data suggested that the use of low speech intensities and avoidance of vocal fry could help contribute to a successful female voice. Phonetograms were suggested to be useful for visual feedback and documentation of changes in voice therapy for M-F TS clients.