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.     

Loud Speech in Realistic Environmental Noise: Phonetogram Data, Perceptual Voice Quality, Subjective Ratings, and Gender Differences in Healthy Speakers

A new method for cancelling background noise from running speech was used to study voice production during realistic environmental noise exposure. Normal subjects, 12 women and 11 men, read a text in five conditions: quiet, soft continuous noise (75 dBA to 70 dBA), day-care babble (74 dBA), disco (87 dBA), and loud continuous noise (78 dBA to 85 dBA). The noise was presented over loudspeakers and then removed from the recordings in an off-line processing operation. The voice signals were analyzed acoustically with an automatic phonetograph and perceptually by four expert listeners. Subjective data were collected after each vocal loading task. The perceptual parameters press, instability, and roughness increased significantly as an effect of speaking loudly over noise, whereas vocal fry decreased. Having to make oneself heard over noise resulted in higher SPL and F0, as expected, and in higher phonation time. The total reading time was slightly longer in continuous noise than in intermittent noise. The women had 4 dB lower voice SPL overall and increased their phonation time more in noise than did the men. Subjectively, women reported less success making themselves heard and higher effort. The results support the contention that female voices are more vulnerable to vocal loading in background noise.     

Vocal Behavior and Vocal Loading Factors for Preschool Teachers at Work Studied with Binaural DAT Recordings

Preschool teachers are at risk for developing voice problems such as vocal fatigue and vocal nodules. The purpose of this report was to study preschool teachers' voice use during work. Ten healthy female preschool teachers working at daycare centers (DCC) served as subjects. A binaural recording technique was used. Two microphones were placed on both sides of the subject's head, at equal distance from the mouth, and a portable DAT recorder was attached to the subject's waist. Recordings were made of a standard reading passage before work (baseline) and of spontaneous speech during work. The recording technique allowed separate analyses of the level of the background noise, and of the subjects' voice sound pressure level, mean fundamental frequency, and total phonation time. Among the results, mean background noise level for the ten DCCs was 76.1 dBA (range 73.0-78.2), which is more than 20 dB higher than what is recommended where speech communication is important (50-55 dBA). The subjects spoke on an average of 9.1 dB louder (p < 0.0001), and with higher mean fundamental frequency (247 Hz) during work as compared to the baseline (202 Hz) (p < 0.0001). Mean phonation time for the group was 17%, which was considered high. It was concluded that preschool teachers do have a highly vocally demanding profession. Important steps to reduce the vocal loading for this occupation would be to decrease the background noise levels and include pauses so that preschool teachers can rest their voices.     

Effects of prolonged oral reading on F0, SPL, subglottal pressure and amplitude characteristics of glottal flow waveforms

The effects of prolonged (5x45 minute) reading (vocal loading) on fundamental frequency (F0), sound pressure level (SPL), subglottal (intraroral) pressure (p), and two glottal flow waveform parameters (AC amplitude of glottal flow, f, and negative peak amplitude of differentiated flow (d) of normal female and male subjects (N = 80) were studied. Two rest (morning and noon) and three loading (two in the morning and one in the afternoon) samples were recorded and analyzed. The glottal waveforms were obtained by inverse filtering of the acoustic pressure waveforms of speaking voice samples. The analyses were based on measurement and inverse filtering of the first stressed syllable of "paappa" words repeated 3x5 times for normal, as soft as possible, and as loud as possible phonation. In normal phonation the parameter values changed statistically significantly due to loading. In many cases the values obtained in the morning samples changed after the first loading session. This is interpreted as a vocal "warming-up effect." Especially in soft phonation p, d, and f were sensitive indicators of vocal loading. In both normal and soft phonation, the SPL, p, d, and f values tended to rise due to prolonged reading in the morning and afternoon samples, indicating increased effort (normal phonation) and a rise in the phonatory threshold (soft phonation). The lunch break vocal rest ("rest effect") considerably affected the parameter values in many cases.     

Vocal loudness and frequency capabilities of the voice

A phonetogram is a graph showing the sound pressure level (SPL) of softest and loudest phonation over the entire fundamental frequency range of a voice. A physiological interpretation of a phonetogram is facilitated if the SPL is measured with a flat frequency curve and if the vowel /a/ is used. It was found that in soft phonation, the SPL is mainly dependent on the amplitude of the fundamental, while in loud phonation, the SPL is mainly determined by overtones. The short-term SPL variation, i.e., the level variation within a tone, was about 5 dB in soft phonation and close to 2 dB in loud phonation. For two normal voices the long-term SPL variation, calculated as the mean standard deviation of SPL for day-to-day variation, was found to be between 2.4 and 3.4 dB in soft and loud phonation. Speakers who raise their loudness of phonation also tend to raise their mean voice fundamental frequency. Measures obtained from speaking at various voice levels were combined so that typical pathways could be introduced into the phonetogram. The average slope of these pathways was 0.3–0.5 st/dB for healthy subjects. Averaged phonetograms for male singers and male nonsingers did not differ significantly, but averaged phonetograms for female singers and female nonsingers did, in that the upper contour was higher for the female singers. Averaged phonetograms for female patients with non-organic dysphonia showed significantly lower SPL values in loudest phonation as compared to healthy female subjects, while no corresponding difference was seen for males in this regard. With respect to the SPL values for softest phonation, male dysphonic patients showed significantly higher SPL values than healthy male subjects, while no corresponding difference was seen in female subjects. The subglottal pressure mirrored these phonetogram differences between healthy and pathological voices. The averaged phonetograms of female patients after voice therapy showed an increased similarity with those of normal voices. For the male patients the averaged phonetogram did not change significantly after therapy.     

Acoustic Measures and Self-reports of Vocal Fatigue by Female Teachers

This study investigated the relation of symptoms of vocal fatigue to acoustic variables reflecting type of voice production and the effects of vocal loading. Seventy-nine female primary school teachers volunteered as subjects. Before and after a working day, (1) a 1-minute text reading sample was recorded at habitual loudness and loudly (as in large classroom), (2) a prolonged phonation on [a:] was recorded at habitual speaking pitch and loudness, and (3) a questionnaire about voice quality, ease, or difficulty of phonation and tiredness of throat was completed. The samples were analyzed for average fundamental frequency (F0), sound pressure level (SPL), and phonation type reflecting alpha ratio (SPL [1-5 kHz]-SPL [50 Hz-1 kHz]). The vowel samples were additionally analyzed for perturbation (jitter and shimmer). After a working day, F0, SPL, and alpha ratio were higher, jitter and shimmer values were lower, and more tiredness of throat was reported. The average levels of the acoustic parameters did not correlate with the symptoms. Increase in jitter and mean F0 in loud reading correlated with tiredness of throat. The results seem to suggest that, at least among experienced vocal professionals, voice production type had little relevance from the point of view of vocal fatigue reported. Differences in the acoustic parameters after a vocally loading working day mainly seem to reflect increased muscle activity as a consequence of vocal loading.     

Influence of glottal closure configuration on vocal efficacy in young normal-speaking women

Posterior closure insufficiency of the glottis is often mentioned in connection with permanent voice disorders. Recently published studies have revealed that an incomplete closure of the glottis can be found also in normal-speaking voices, especially in women. However, the effect of glottal closure configuration on vocal efficacy is not sufficiently clarified. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of glottal closure configuration on singing and speaking voice characteristics. Overall, 520 young female normal-speaking subjects were examined by videostroboscopy for different phonation conditions in the combination of soft, loud, low, and/or high phonation and by voice range profile measurements. According to the videostroboscopic analysis, the subjects were subdivided into four groups: complete closure of the vocal folds already in soft phonation (group 1), closure of the vocal fold with increasing intensity (group 2), persistent closure insufficiencies despite increasing intensity (group 3), and hourglass-shaped closure in subjects with vocal nodules (group 4). Subjects in which the glottal closure could not be evaluated sufficiently were subclassified into group 5 (missing values).

Selected criteria of the singing and speaking voice were evaluated and statistically processed according to the mentioned subclassification. Group 1 reached significantly the highest sound pressure levels (SPL_max) for the singing voice as well as for the shouting voice. Group 3 showed a limited capacity to increase the intensity of the singing and speaking voice. The results gathered in this study objectify the relationship of insufficient glottal closure and reduced vocal capabilities. As long as no conclusive data on long-term consequences of insufficient glottal closure are available, a prophylactic improvement of the laryngeal situation especially in female professional voice users by voice therapy should be recommended.     

Phonatory control in male singing: A study of the effects of subglottal pressure, fundamental frequency, and mode of phonation on the voice source

This article describes experiments carried out in order to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying variation of vocal loudness in singers. Ten singers, two of whom are famous professional opera tenor soloists, phonated at different pitches and different loudnesses. Their voice source characteristics were analyzed by inverse filtering the oral airflow signal. It was found that the main physiological variable underlying loudness variation is subglottal pressure (Ps). The voice source property determining most of the loudness variation is the amplitude of the negative peak of the differentiated flow signal, as predicted by previous research. Increases in this amplitude are achieved by (a) increasing the pulse amplitude of the flow waveform; (b) moving the moment of vocal fold contact earlier in time, closer to the center of the pulse; and (c) skewing the pulses. The last mentioned alternative seems dependent on both Ps and the ratio between the fundamental frequency and the first formant. On the average, the singers doubled Ps when they increased fundamental frequency by one octave, and a doubling of the excess Ps over threshold caused the sound pressure level (SPL) to increase by 8–9 dB for neutral phonation, less if mode of phonation was changed to pressed. A shift of mode of phonation from flow over neutral to pressed was associated with a reduction of the peak glottal permittance i.e., the ratio between peak transglottal airflow to Ps. Flow phonation had the most favorable relationship between Ps and SPL.     

Phonation Threshold Pressure Across the Pitch Range: Preliminary Test of a Model

This study sought to examine the specific relationship between phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and voice fundamental frequency (F(0)) across the pitch range. A published theoretical model of this relationship described a quadratic equation, with PTP increasing exponentially with F(0). Prospective data from eight adults with normal, untrained voices were collected. Subjects produced their quietest phonation at 10 randomly ordered pitches from 5% to 95% of their semitone pitch range at 10% intervals. Analysis included curve fitting for individual and group data, as well as comparisons to the previous model. The group data fit a quadratic function similar to that proposed previously, but the specific quadratic coefficient and constant values differed. Four of the individual subjects' data were best fit by quartic functions, two by quadratic functions, and one by a linear function. This preliminary study indicates that PTP may be minimal at a "comfortable" pitch rather than the lowest pitch tested, and that, for some individuals, PTP may be slightly elevated during the passaggio between modal and falsetto vocal registers. These data support the general form of the theoretical PTP-F(0) function for these speakers, and indicate the possibility of potential refinements to the model. Future studies with larger groups of male and female subjects across a wider age range may eventually reveal the specific nature of the function.     

Effects of vocal loudness variation on spectrum balance as reflected by the alpha measure of long-term-average spectra of speech

The overall slope of long-term-average spectrum (LTAS) decreases if vocal loudness increases. Therefore, changes of vocal loudness also affects the alpha measure, defined as the ratio of spectrum intensity above and below 1000 Hz. The effect on alpha of loudness variation was analyzed in 15 male and 16 female voices reading a text at different degrees of vocal loudness. The mean range of equivalent sound level (L(eq)) amounted to about 28 dB and the mean range of alpha to 19.0 and 11.7 dB for the female and male subjects. The L(eq) vs. alpha relationship could be approximated with a quadratic function, or by a linear equation, if softest phonation was excluded. Using such equations alpha was computed for all values of L(eq) observed for each subject and compared with observed values. The maximum and the mean absolute errors were 2.4 dB and between 0.1 and 0.6 dB. When softest phonation was disregarded and linear equations were used, the maximum error was less than 2 dB and the mean absolute errors were between 0.2 and 0.7 dB. The strong correlation between L(eq) and alpha indicates that for a voice L(eq) can be used for predicting alpha.     

Some physical characteristics of the male falsetto voice

Previous research indicated that, as groups, male (bass/baritone) and female (soprano) professional singers tend to exhibit differing vocal tract and voice source behaviours. The use of an objective measure of voice [xeroradiographic-electrolaryngographic analysis (XEL)] revealed differences between the two voice types, especially at the highest sample pitches (e, 330 Hz for bass/baritones, and e″, 1,320 Hz for sopranos). XEL analysis combines two known techniques, i.e., soft-tissue radiographic imaging (xeroradiography), and an analysis of voice-source vibratory patterning (electrolaryngography). Subsequent to this investigation, interest centered on the male professional falsetto voice over a two-octave range (E 165 Hz to e′ 660 Hz) using a sample (n=9) of professional countertenors. Results suggest that there are characteristic trends in the patterning of the male professional falsetto register, but there is also evidence of within-group variability. The subjects significantly increased the size of the pharyngeal tube area during phonation. ANOVA and Trend Analysis revealed ventricular space as the only measure to expand systematically and consistently as sung pitch increases.     

Pitch Matching Accuracy of Trained Singers, Untrained Subjects with Talented Singing Voices, and Untrained Subjects with Nontalented Singing Voices in Conditions of Varying Feedback

At a physiological level, the act of singing involves control and coordination of several systems involved in the production of sound, including respiration, phonation, resonance, and afferent systems used to monitor production. The ability to produce a melodious singing voice (eg, in tune with accurate pitch) is dependent on control over these motor and sensory systems. To test this position, trained singers and untrained subjects with and without expressed singing talent were asked to match pitches of target pure tones. The ability to match pitch reflected the ability to accurately integrate sensory perception with motor planning and execution. Pitch-matching accuracy was measured at the onset of phonation (prephonatory set) before external feedback could be utilized to adjust the voiced source, during phonation when external auditory feedback could be utilized, and during phonation when external auditory feedback was masked. Results revealed trained singers and untrained subjects with singing talent were no different in their pitch-matching abilities when measured before or after external feedback could be utilized. The untrained subjects with singing talent were also significantly more accurate than the trained singers when external auditory feedback was masked. Both groups were significantly more accurate than the untrained subjects without singing talent.     

Objective Analysis of Vocal Warm-Up with Special Reference to Ergonomic Factors

Vocal warm-up was studied in terms of changes in voice parameters during a 45-minute vocal loading session in the morning. The voices of a randomly chosen group of 40 female and 40 male young students were loaded by having them read a novel aloud. The exposure groups (5 females and 5 males per cell) consisted of eight combinations of the following factors: (1) low (25 +/- 5%) or high (65 +/- 5%) relative humidity of ambient air; (2) low [< 65 dB(SPL)] or high [> 65 dB(SPL)] speech output level during vocal loading; (3) sitting or standing posture during vocal loading. Two sets of voice samples were recorded: a resting sample before the loading session and a loading sample after the loading session. The material recorded consisted of /pa:ppa/ words produced normally, as softly and as loudly as possible in this order by all subjects. The long /a/ vowel of the test word was inverse-filtered to obtain the glottal flow waveform. Time domain parameters of the glottal flow [open quotient (OQ), closing quotient (CQ), speed quotient (SQ), fundamental frequency (F0)], amplitude domain parameters of the glottal flow [glottal flow (fAC) and its logarithm, minimum of the first derivative of the glottal flow (dpeak) and its logarithm, amplitude quotient (AQ), and a new parameter, CQAQ], intraoral pressure (p), and sound pressure level (SPL) values of the phonations were analyzed. Voice range profiles (VRP) and the singer's formant (g/G, a/A, cl/c, e1/e, g1/g for females/males) of the loud phonation were also measured. Statistically significant differences between the preloading and postloading samples could be seen in many parameters, but the differences depended on gender and the type of phonation. In females the values of CQ, AQ, and CQAQ decreased and the values of SQ and p increased in normal phonations; the values of fAC, dpeak, and SPL increased in soft phonations; the values of AQ and CQAQ decreased in loud phonations; the harmonic energy in the singer's formant region increased significantly at every pitch. In males the values of OQ and AQ decreased and the values of dpeak, F0, p, and SPL increased in normal phonations; the values of fAC and p increased in soft phonations. The changes could be interpreted as signs of a shift toward hyperfunctional voice production. Low humidity was associated with more hyperfunctional changes than high humidity. High output was associated with more hyperfunctional changes than low output. Sitting position was associated with an increasing trend at both margins of male VRP, whereas the case was the opposite for standing position.     

Relationship between changes in voice pitch and loudness

Changes in mean fundamental frequency accompanying changes in loudness of phonation are analyzed in 9 professional singers, 9 nonsingers, and 10 male and 10 female patients suffering from vocal functional dysfunction. The subjects read discursive texts with noise in earphones, and some also at voluntarily varied vocal loudness. The healthy subjects phonated as softly and as loudly as possible at various fundamental frequencies throughout their pitch ranges, and the resulting mean phonetograms are compared. Mean pitch was found to increase by about half-semitones per decibel sound level. Grossly, the subject groups gave similar results, although the singers changed voice pitch more than the nonsingers. The voice pitch changes may be explained as passive results of changes of subglottal pressure required for the sound level variation.     

MP3 player listening sound pressure levels among 10 to 17 year old students

Using a manikin, equivalent free-field sound pressure level measurements were made from the portable digital audio players of 219 subjects, aged 10 to 17 years (93 males) at their typical and "worst-case" volume levels. Measurements were made in different classrooms with background sound pressure levels between 40 and 52 dBA. After correction for the transfer function of the ear, the median equivalent free field sound pressure levels and interquartile ranges (IQR) at typical and worst-case volume settings were 68 dBA (IQR?=?15) and 76 dBA (IQR?=?19), respectively. Self-reported mean daily use ranged from 0.014 to 12 h. When typical sound pressure levels were considered in combination with the average daily duration of use, the median noise exposure level, Lex, was 56 dBA (IQR?=?18) and 3.2% of subjects were estimated to exceed the most protective occupational noise exposure level limit in Canada, i.e., 85 dBA Lex. Under worst-case listening conditions, 77.6% of the sample was estimated to listen to their device at combinations of sound pressure levels and average daily durations for which there is no known risk of permanent noise-induced hearing loss, i.e.,?≤ 75 dBA Lex. Sources and magnitudes of measurement uncertainties are also discussed.     

Evaluating the maximum playback sound levels from portable digital audio players

To assess the maximum sound levels that may be experienced by young people in Canada from modern digital audio players, this study measured nine recent models of players and 20 earphones. Measurement methodology followed European standard BS EN 50332. Playback levels ranged from 101 to 107 dBA at maximum volume level. Estimated listener sound levels could vary from 79 to 125 dBA due to the following factors: (i) earphone seal against the ear, (ii) player output voltage, (iii) earphone sensitivity, and (iv) recorded music levels. There was a greater potential for high sound levels if intra-concha "earbud" earphones were used due to the effect of earphone seal. Simpler measurement techniques were explored as field test methods; the best results were obtained by sealing the microphone of a sound level meter to the earphone using a cupped hand and correcting for the free field response of the ear. Measurement of noise levels 0.25 m from the earphone showed that a bystander is unlikely to accurately judge listener sound levels.     

Acoustic comparison of voice use in solo and choir singing

An experiment was carried out in which eight bass/baritone singers were recorded while singing in both choral and solo modes. Together with their own voice, they heard the sound of the rest of the choir and a piano accompaniment, respectively. The recordings were analyzed in several ways, including computation of long-time-average spectra for each passage, analysis of the sound levels in the frequency ranges corresponding to the fundamental and the "singer's formant," and a comparison of the sung levels with the levels heard by the singers. Matching pairs of vowels in the two modes were inverse filtered to determine the voice source spectra and formant frequencies for comparison. Differences in both phonation and articulation between the two modes were observed. Subjects generally sang with more power in the singer's formant region in the solo mode and with more power in the fundamental region in the choral mode. Most singers used a reduced frequency distance between the third and fifth formants for increasing the power in the singer's formant range, while the difference in the fundamental was mostly a voice source effect. In a choral singing mode, subjects usually adjusted their voice levels to the levels they heard from the other singers, whereas in a solo singing mode the level sung depended much less on the level of an accompaniment.     

Multiparametric Evaluation of Dysphonic Severity

SUMMARY: In recent years, the multiparametric approach for evaluating perceptual rating of voice quality has been advocated. This study evaluates the accuracy of predicting perceived overall severity of voice quality with a minimal set of aerodynamic, voice range profile (phonetogram), and acoustic perturbation measures. One hundred and twelve dysphonic persons (93 women and 19 men) with laryngeal pathologies and 41 normal controls (35 women and six men) with normal voices participated in this study. Perceptual severity judgement was carried out by four listeners rating the G (overall grade) parameter of the GRBAS scale. The minimal set of instrumental measures was selected based on the ability of the measure to discriminate between dysphonic and normal voices, and to attain at least a moderate correlation with perceived overall severity. Results indicated that perceived overall severity was best described by maximum phonation time of sustained /a/, peak intraoral pressure of the consonant-vowel /pi/ strings production, voice range profile area, and acoustic jitter. Direct-entry discriminant function analysis revealed that these four voice measures in combination correctly predicted 67.3% of perceived overall severity levels.     

A Novel Treatment for Hypophonic Voice: Twang Therapy

A hypophonic voice, characterized perceptually as weak and breathy, is associated with voice disorders such as vocal fold atrophy and unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Although voice therapy programs for hypophonia typically address the vocal folds or the sound source, twang voice quality was examined in this study as an alternative technique for increasing vocal power by altering the epilarynx or the sound filter. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of twang production on physiologic, acoustic, and perceived voice handicap measures in speakers with hypophonia. DESIGN/METHODS: This prospective pilot study compared the vocal outcomes of six participants with hypophonia at pre- and posttreatment time points. Outcome measures included mean airflow rate, intensity in dB sound pressure level (SPL), maximum phonation time, and self-report of voice handicap. RESULTS: All subjects improved in at least three of the four vocal outcome measures. Wilcoxon signed-rank test of paired differences revealed significant differences between pre- and posttherapy group means for airflow rate, SPL, and Voice Handicap Index scores. CONCLUSION: The twang voice quality as a manipulation of the sound filter offers a clinical complement to traditional voice therapies that primarily address the sound source.