The effect of task on determination of habitual pitch

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there was an effect of task on determination of habitual pitch, or speaking fundamental frequency (SFF). Seven tasks commonly used to elicit habitual pitch in clinical voice evaluations were compared. Three groups of normal subjects (N = 36) were examined (adult males, adult females, and male and female prepubescent children). For the adult male (n = 12) and pediatric (n = 12) subjects, no significant effect of task was found. For the adult female (n = 12) subjects, a statistically significant (P < .001) effect of task was found. All tasks were found to have high (>0.90) test-retest reliability for all subjects. Implications of the use of one task for determination of habitual pitch are discussed, as is the possibility of a task effect on determination of other voice parameters.     

The effect of task on determination of habitual loudness

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is an effect of task on determination of habitual loudness. Four tasks commonly used to elicit habitual loudness were compared (automatic speech, elicited speech, spontaneous speech, and reading aloud). Participants were adult female speakers (N=30) with normal voice. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) effect of task, with post-hoc analyses indicating that there was a statistically significant difference in habitual loudness elicited via automatic versus spontaneous speech (p < 0.05), and automatic speech versus reading aloud (p < 0.001). The issue of how habitual loudness is defined is considered. Implications of the use of one task for determination of habitual loudness are discussed, as is the possibility of a task effect on determination of other clinically useful vocal parameters.     

The Effect of Speaking Context on Elicitation of Habitual Pitch

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there was an effect of speaking context on the elicitation of habitual pitch [speaking fundamental frequency (SFF)]. Six simulated speaking contexts were created (speaking during a voice evaluation, speaking in public, speaking to a peer, speaking to a superior, speaking to a subordinate, and speaking to a parent or spouse), and the SFF for 30 adult women with normal voice was compared across these contexts. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a statistically significant (P < 0.001) effect of simulated speaking context on SFF, with post hoc analyses indicating a statistically significant difference in SFF while "speaking to a superior" (P < 0.001) and "speaking to a subordinate" (P < 0.001). Possible reasons for an effect of speaking context are discussed. Also, the implications of the use of varied speaking contexts when eliciting SFF are discussed, as is the possibility of an effect of speaking context on the elicitation of other clinically useful voice parameters.     

The Effect of Hemodialysis on Voice: An Acoustic Analysis

Because respiration is part of the well-coordinated process necessary for phonation, this study was conducted with the purpose of analyzing the effect of chronic hemodialysis on voice characteristics of patients with chronic renal failure. A total of 57 patients were recruited for the study, including 31 males and 26 females ranging in age from 16 to 85 years. Patients underwent evaluation of their voice directly before and after hemodialysis using the Kay Elemetric VISI Pitch (Model 330; Kay Elemetric Corporation, Lincoln Park, New Jersey). The vocal acoustic parameters studied include habitual pitch, pitch range, relative average perturbation, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, voice turbulence index, maximum phonation time, and voice energy. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test for the total sample and the nonparametric test for the female and male subgroups. The total sample analysis showed a statistically significant increase in the habitual pitch after the hemodialyis (p < 0.05), with a borderline increase in the pitch range and maximum phonation time (p < 0.10). In the female group, there was a statistically significant increase in the habitual pitch and a borderline increase in the relative average perturbation. In the male group, there was a significant increase in the habitual pitch with a borderline increase in maximum phonation time. Discussion of the after-mentioned results is presented.     

Short-Term Effects of Endotracheal Intubation on Voice

The objective of this study was to examine the vocal symptoms and acoustic changes perceived in the short period after endotracheal intubation, and to find the association between these changes and the endotracheal tube parameters. A total of 35 subjects were included. They were examined preoperatively, and 2 and 24 hours postoperatively. The vocal symptoms of hoarseness, vocal fatigue, loss of voice, throat clearing, globus pharyngeus, throat pain, and the acoustic variables mainly average fundamental frequency, relative average perturbation, shimmer, noise to harmony ratio, voice turbulence index, habitual pitch, and maximum phonation time (MPT) were assessed as such and in relation to the following endotracheal tube parameters: duration of anesthesia, number of intubation attempts, size of the tube, cuff volume, cuff mean pressure, and the emergence. The association between anesthesia parameters with incidence of vocal complaints and changes in acoustic parameters were examined using logistic and linear regression. Vocal fatigue was associated significantly with the increase in cuff volume and the number of intubation attempts. Throat clearing was associated significantly with the increase in cuff mean pressure. Only the increase in habitual pitch was associated significantly with the increase in cuff volume. The acute short-term effect of endotracheal intubation on voice is significant. The most important endotracheal tube parameters that affect the vocal changes are the cuff mean pressure and volume. The laryngeal contribution to these vocal changes seems to be minimal. All vocal symptoms increased significantly except for globus pharyngeus at 2 hours postoperatively. The acoustic parameters did not change significantly except for a decrease in MPT. At 24 hours postoperatively, all vocal symptoms subsided with no significant difference to baseline value. The habitual pitch increased significantly, and the rest of the parameters remained comparable to baseline value.     

An investigation of the Voice Handicap Index with Speakers of Portuguese: Preliminary data

Although the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) has been recognized as a useful tool for quantifying American English speakers' perceived consequences of voice disorder, it has not yet been widely applied in the clinic to study dysphonic patient populations, or tested with a normally speaking population. The purpose of this investigation was to obtain information about the VHI in a group of Portuguese speakers with voice complaints compared with an age- and gender-matched group of speakers without voice complaints. The results demonstrate that speakers with voice complaints have overall VHI total scores significantly higher than speakers without voice complaints (p < 0.001). This is also true for all VHI subscores in the emotional (p < 0.001), functional (p < 0.05), and physical (p < 0.001) domains. So, the assumption that a group with voice complaints has higher voice handicap impact than the matched control comparison group is justified for Portuguese speakers.     

The effect of task on determination of maximum phonational frequency range

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there was an effect of task on determination of maximum phonational frequency range (MPFR). Two tasks commonly used to elicit MPFR in clinical voice evaluations were compared. Normal adult females (N = 30) were examined. No statistically significant effect of task was found. Both tasks (glissando and discrete-step) were found to have a high positive correlation (0.84). Implications of the use of one task for determination of maximum phonational frequency range are discussed, as is the possibility of a task effect on determination of other voice parameters.     

Acoustic Changes in Student Actors' Voices After 12 Months of Training

This study was to evaluate acoustic changes in student actors' voices after 12 months of actor training. The design used was a longitudinal study. Eighteen students enrolled in an Australian tertiary 3-year acting program (nine male and nine female) were assessed at the beginning of their acting course and again 12 months later using a questionnaire, interview, maximum phonation time (MPT), reading, spontaneous speaking, sustained phonation tasks, and a pitch range task. Samples were analyzed for MPT, fundamental frequency across tasks, pitch range for speaking and reading, singing pitch range, noise-to-harmonic ratio, shimmer, and jitter. After training, measures of shimmer significantly increased for both male and female participants. Female participants' pitch range significantly increased after training, with a significantly lower mean frequency for their lowest pitch. The finding of limited or negative changes for some measures indicate that further investigation is required into the long-term effects of actor voice training and which parameters of voicing are most targeted and valued in training. Particular investigation into the relationship between training targets and outcomes could more reliably inform acting programs about changes in teaching methodologies. Further research into the relationship between specific training techniques, physiological changes, and vocal changes may also provide information on implementing more evidence-based training methods.     

Mid-Basal-to-Ceiling Versus Mid-Ceiling-to-Basal Elicitation of Maximum Phonational Frequency Range

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there was an effect of task on the determination of maximum phonational frequency range (MPFR). Two tasks commonly used to elicit MPFR in clinical voice evaluations were compared. Normal adult females (n = 30) were examined. No statistically significant effect of task was found. Both tasks (mid-basal-to-ceiling and mid-ceiling-to-basal) were found to have a high positive correlation (0.89). Implications of the use on one task to determine maximum phonational frequency range are discussed, as is the possibility of a task effect on determination of other voice parameters.     

Effects of HearFones on speaking and singing voice quality

HearFones (HF) have been designed to enhance auditory feedback during phonation. This study investigated the effects of HF (1) on sound perceivable by the subject, (2) on voice quality in reading and singing, and (3) on voice production in speech and singing at the same pitch and sound level.

Test 1: Text reading was recorded with two identical microphones in the ears of a subject. One ear was covered with HF, and the other was free. Four subjects attended this test. Tests 2 and 3: A reading sample was recorded from 13 subjects and a song from 12 subjects without and with HF on. Test 4: Six females repeated [pa:p:a] in speaking and singing modes without and with HF on same pitch and sound level.

Long-term average spectra were made (Tests 1–3), and formant frequencies, fundamental frequency, and sound level were measured (Tests 2 and 3). Subglottic pressure was estimated from oral pressure in [p], and simultaneously electroglottography (EGG) was registered during voicing on [a:] (Test 4). Voice quality in speech and singing was evaluated by three professional voice trainers (Tests 2–4).

HF seemed to enhance sound perceivable at the whole range studied (0–8 kHz), with the greatest enhancement (up to ca 25 dB) being at 1–3 kHz and at 4–7 kHz. The subjects tended to decrease loudness with HF (when sound level was not being monitored). In more than half of the cases, voice quality was evaluated “less strained” and “better controlled” with HF. When pitch and loudness were constant, no clear differences were heard but closed quotient of the EGG signal was higher and the signal more skewed, suggesting a better glottal closure and/or diminished activity of the thyroarytenoid muscle.     

A report on alterations to the speaking and singing voices of four women following hormonal therapy with virilizing agents

Four women aged between 27 and 58 years sought otolaryngological examination due to significant alterations to their voices, the primary concerns being hoarseness in vocal quality, lowering of habitual pitch, difficulty projecting their speaking voices, and loss of control over their singing voices. Otolaryngological examination with a mirror or flexible laryngoscope revealed no apparent abnormality of vocal fold structure or function, and the women were referred for speech pathology with diagnoses of functional dysphonia. Objective acoustic measures using the Kay Visipitch indicated significant lowering of the mean fundamental frequency for each woman, and perceptual analysis of the patients' voices during quiet speaking, projected voice use, and comprehensive singing activities revealed a constellation of features typically noted in the pubescent male. The original diagnoses of a functional dysphonia were queried, prompting further exploration of each woman's medical history, revealing in each case onset of vocal symptoms shortly after commencing treatment for conditions with medications containing virilizing agents (eg, Danocrine (danazol), Deca-Durabolin (nandrolene decanoate), and testosterone). Although some of the vocal symptoms decreased in severity with the influences from 6 months voice therapy and after withdrawal from the drugs, a number of symptoms remained permanent, suggesting each subject had suffered significant alterations in vocal physiology, including muscle tissue changes, muscle coordination dysfunction, and propioceptive dysfunction. This retrospective study is presented in order to illustrate that it was both the projected speaking voice and the singing voice that proved so highly sensitive to the virilization effects. The implications for future prospective research studies and responsible clinical practice are discussed.     

Vocal Warm-up Increases Phonation Threshold Pressure in Soprano Singers at High Pitch

Vocal warm-up is thought to optimize singing performance. We compared effects of short-term, submaximal, vocal warm-up exercise with those of vocal rest on the soprano voice (n = 10, ages 19-21 years). Dependent variables were the minimum subglottic air pressure required for vocal fold oscillation to occur (phonation threshold pressure, Pth), and the maximum and minimum phonation fundamental frequency. Warm-up increased Pth for high pitch phonation (p = 0.033), but not for comfortable (p = 0.297) or low (p = 0.087) pitch phonation. No significant difference in the maximum phonation frequency (p = 0.193) or minimum frequency (p = 0.222) was observed. An elevated Pth at controlled high pitch, but an unchanging maximum and minimum frequency production suggests that short-term vocal exercise may increase the viscosity of the vocal fold and thus serve to stabilize the high voice.     

A study of repeated measures of softest and loudest phonations

One common way to describe one's voice in an objective way is to measure the sound levels of the softest (pianissimo) and loudest possible (fortissimo) phonations at given pitches (voice range profile measurement). However, the reliability of the measurement has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to describe the repeatability and reproducibility of the sound level measurement in statistical terms, focusing on five target frequencies within the estimated speaking pitch range. Ten healthy female university students volunteered as test subjects. The voice range profiles within the speaking pitch range were defined 10 times in succession and in five sample sessions between 45-minute-long oral readings. Our study followed the ideas of the Gage repeatability and reproducibility design. The results showed that the method used was reliable in fortissimo phonations at four of the measured frequencies. Better reliability can be achieved by measuring three successive phonations at each pitch prior to the next target tone.     

Voice Problems of Future Speech-Language Pathologists

Students training to be educators frequently exhibit voice disorders prior to employment. To date, there exist no similar studies of future speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The study is designed as a prospective, nonrandomized survey. The objective of this study is to determine the voice problems of first year graduate students training to be SLPs. Participants were 104 first year graduate students majoring in speech-language pathology at two universities. The Quick Screen for Voice was administered. Participants who failed completed a questionnaire regarding voice problems, medical history, daily habits, and voice use. When responses further indicated voice-related problems, endoscopic examination was completed. Fourteen percent (N=15) of the participants failed the screening by demonstrating two or more abnormal voice characteristics. These included persistent glottal fry (present in all who failed), low habitual pitch, juvenile resonance, hoarse, breathy, or strained phonation, abnormally low pitch on sustained vowels, and voice breaks during the frequency range. Twelve percent (N=12) failed both the screening and follow-up questionnaire. Responses included self-reported dysphonia, medical history with voice-related side effects, difficulty with excessive voice use, and voice problems occurring daily or weekly. Endoscopic evaluation showed one participant with bilateral vocal nodules. The results suggest that voice problems among future SLPs (12%) are more common than the 3-9% reported in the general population and similar to the 11% previously reported for teachers. However, future SLP voice problems are less frequent than those reported among education majors (21%) and all college students (17%). Faculty should identify students with voice problems and emphasize optimal voice use in classroom and clinical settings.     

Movement of the velum during speech and singing in classically trained singers

The present study addresses two questions: (a) Is the action and/orposture of the velopharyngeal valve conducive to allow significant resonance during Western tradition classical singing? (b) How do the actions of the velo-pharyngeal valve observed in this style of singing compare with normal speech? A photodetector system was used to observe the area function of the velopharyngeal port during speech and classical style singing. Identical speech samples were produced by each subject in a normal speaking voice and then in the low, medium, and high singing ranges. Results indicate that in these four singers the velopharyngeal port was closed significantly longer in singing than in speaking samples. The amount of time the velopharyngeal port was opened was greatest in speech and diminished as the singer ascended in pitch. In the high voice condition, little or no opening of the velopharyngeal port was measured.     

Pitch Characteristics of Homosexual Males

Objective

To investigate the common stereotype that homosexual males show pitch patterns that mirror those of heterosexual females.

Study Design

Static group comparison.

Method

Comparison of speaking fundamental frequency and pitch variation of 30 homosexual males, 56 heterosexual age-matched males, and 54 age-matched heterosexual females as demonstrated in a sample of read speech.

Results

In the homosexual males, average fundamental frequency and pitch variation were significantly higher than in the heterosexual males but also significantly lower than in the heterosexual females.

Conclusions

Results do not confirm the stereotype that gay male speech mirrors the patterns of women’s speech with respect to pitch characteristics. It would seem that the pitch patterns of gay male speakers constitute an example of sociophonetic variation.     

Average speaking fundamental frequency in soprano singers with and without symptoms of vocal attrition

Nineteen trained soprano singers aged 18–30 years vocalized tasks designed to assess average speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) during spontaneous speaking and reading. Vocal range and perceptual characteristics while singing with low intensity and high frequency were also assessed, and subjects completed a survey of vocal habits/symptoms. Recorded signals were digitized prior to being analyzed for SFF using the Kay Computerized Speech Lab program. Subjects were assigned to a normal voice or impaired voice group based on ratings of perceptual tasks and survey results. Data analysis showed group differences in mean SFF, no differences in vocal range, higher mean SFF values for reading than speaking, and 58% ability to perceive speaking in low pitch. The role of speaking in too low pitch as causal for vocal symptoms and need for voice classification differentiation in vocal performance studies are discussed.     

Correlation of VHI-10 to Voice Laboratory Measurements Across Five Common Voice Disorders

ObjectiveTo correlate change in Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10 scores with corresponding voice laboratory measures across five voice disorders.Study DesignRetrospective study.MethodsOne hundred fifty patients aged >18 years with primary diagnosis of vocal fold lesions, primary muscle tension dysphonia-1, atrophy, unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP), and scar. For each group, participants with the largest change in VHI-10 between two periods (T_A and T_B) were selected. The dates of the VHI-10 values were linked to corresponding acoustic/aerodynamic and audio-perceptual measures. Change in voice laboratory values were analyzed for correlation with each other and with VHI-10.ResultsVHI-10 scores were greater for patients with UVFP than other disorders. The only disorder-specific correlation between voice laboratory measure and VHI-10 was average phonatory airflow in speech for patients with UVFP. Average airflow in repeated phonemes was strongly correlated with average airflow in speech (r = 0.75). Acoustic measures did not significantly change between time points.ConclusionsThe lack of correlations between the VHI-10 change scores and voice laboratory measures may be due to differing constructs of each measure; namely, handicap versus physiological function. Presuming corroboration between these measures may be faulty. Average airflow in speech may be the most ecologically valid measure for patients with UVFP. Although aerodynamic measures changed between the time points, acoustic measures did not. Correlations to VHI-10 and change between time points may be found with other acoustic measures.     

Acoustic Measures of Symptoms in Abductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

Speech of patients with abductor spasmodic dysphonia (ABSD) was analyzed using acoustic analyses to determine: (1) which acoustic measures differed from controls and were independent factors representing patients' voice control difficulties, and (2) whether acoustic measures related to blinded perceptual counts of the symptom frequency in the same patients. Patients' voice onset time for voiceless consonants in speech were significantly longer than the controls (p = 0.015). A principle components analysis identified three factors that accounted for 95% of the variance: the first factor included sentence and word duration, frequency shifts, and aperiodic instances; the second was phonatory breaks; and the third was voice onset time. Significant relationships with perceptual counts of symptoms were found for the measures of acoustic disruptions in sentences and sentence duration. Finally, a multiple regression demonstrated that the acoustic measures related well with the perceptual counts (r² = 0.84) with word duration most highly related and none of the other measures contributing once the effect of word duration was partialed out. The results indicate that some of the voice motor control deficits, namely aperiodicity, phonatory breaks, and frequency shifts, which occur in patients with ABSD, are similar to those previously found in adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Results also indicate that acoustic measures of intermittent disruptions in speech, voice onset time, and speech duration are closely related to the perception of symptom frequency in the disorder.     

The Voice Performance After Septoplasty With Surgical Efficacy Demonstrated Through Acoustic Rhinometry and Rhinomanometry

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the surgical efficacy of septoplasty using acoustic rhinometry (AR) and anterior rhinomanometry (ARM) and to evaluate the effect of septoplasty on voice performance through subjective voice analysis methods.Materials and MethodsThis prospective study enrolled a total of 62 patients who underwent septoplasty with the diagnosis of deviated nasal septum. Thirteen patients with no postoperative improvement versus preoperative period as shown by AR and/or ARM tests and three patients with postoperative complications and four patients who were lost to follow-up were excluded. As a result, a total of 42 patients were included in the study. Objective tests including AR, ARM, acoustic voice analysis and spectrographic analysis were performed before the surgery and at 1 month and 3 months after the surgery. Subjective measures included the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation questionnaire to evaluate surgical success and Voice Handicap Index-30 tool for assessment of voice performance postoperatively, both completed by all study patients.ResultsAmong acoustic voice analysis parameters, F0, jitter, Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio values as well as formant frequency (F1-F2-F3-F4) values did not show significant differences postoperatively in comparison to the preoperative period (P > 0.05). Only the shimmer value was statistically significantly reduced at 1 month (P < 0.05) and 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.05) versus baseline. Statistically significant reductions in Voice Handicap Index-30 scores were observed at postoperative 1 month (P < 0.001) and 3 months (P < 0.001) compared to the preoperative period and between postoperative 1 month and 3 months (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn this study, first operative success of septoplasty was demonstrated through objective tests and then objective voice analyses were performed to better evaluate the overall effect of septoplasty on voice performance. Shimmer value was found to be improved in the early and late postoperative periods.