Prevalence of voice problems in teachers

Teachers are frequently cited as experiencing a high rate of vocal dysfunction (1–7). Despite considerable research in the area of voice problems in teachers, the prevalence of voice disorders in this group is unknown. This study investigated the prevalence of self-reported voice problems in teachers using a mail survey of a simple random sample of 1168 state school teachers (preschool-Grade 12) in South Australia. As part of the survey, teachers were asked to report voice problems for the day of the survey, during the current teaching year, and during their careers. The response rate was 75%, with 16% of teachers reporting voice problems on the day of the survey, 20% reporting problems during the current teaching year, and 19% reporting problems at some time during their career. Females were twice as likely as males to report voice problems. These findings clearly indicate a need for further investigation of the causes of vocal dysfunction in teachers and for the development of educational programs aimed at preventing voice problems in this group of professional voice users.     

Study of the elderly females'' voice by phonetography

This study was carried out to investigate the voice characteristics of 40 healthy females with no voice disorders, ranging in age from 60 to 84 years (X = 68.2+/-5.74 years). Measurements over all the entire phonational range were obtained by phonetography. The subjects were asked to sustain the vowel /a/ in modal register for a minimum of 5 seconds in the highest and lowest intensities after hearing the semitones C, E, G, and A, over all phonational ranges. The results indicated expansion of the low and reduction of high ends of the pitch range, decrease of the pitch numbers of the vocal range, restriction of the lowest and highest limits of the intensity, and reduction of either the maximum phonational range and the phonetogram area. The phonetography technique has shown efficacy to investigate the voice characteristics of elderly females.     

语音编码技术及其硬件实现

压缩编码技术是无线语音通信的关键技术之一。介绍了语音编码技术的基本概念及分类,并选用AMBE多带激励压缩编码算法,通过单片机控制专用语音压缩DSP芯片,提出了一种适合低速无线语音、数据实时通信的系统解决方案,完成了硬件、软件设计,实现了低速率下的语音、数据的同步大气传输。测试结果显示,在语音编码速率为2．4kbps以下时,仍然可以得到音质较好的语音输出。     

Optimal key systems

A key system is represented by an ordered rooted tree. We construct trees minimizing relevant cost functions. Our application concerns interactive voice response (IVR), or automated telephone operators, for navigation purposes.     

Acoustical Comparison Between Samples of Good and Poor Vibrato in Singers

The purpose of this research was to analyze samples of frequency vibrato taken from recordings of eight different singers, which were classified as examples of good or poor singing. The samples were analyzed by a software package, which makes use of the linear prediction coding (LPC) method to determine the time varying rate and extent of the frequency vibrato wave. Four parameters, which relate to the periodicity of the samples, were extracted from the time varying rate and extent and investigated in order to verify or reject the hypothesis that the best vibrato samples were the most symmetric ones. Ten samples per singer were analyzed, 5 good and 5 poor, for a total of 80 samples. The results show that the samples judged as good were the most periodic ones.     

Comparison of fundamental frequency and perturbation measurements among three analysis systems

The need for standardization of procedures in approaches to voice measurement has been recently emphasized. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the acoustic perturbation measurements from three different analysis systems agree when standardized recording and analysis procedures are used. High-quality acoustic voice recordings from 20 patients were analyzed. The results showed that, although fundamental frequency measurements were in strong agreement among the three systems tested, frequency and amplitude perturbation measurements were not in agreement. The underlying approaches to perturbation measurement appeared to be sufficiently different to produce different results. An argument is made for a standardized set of acoustic signals representing normal, dysphonic, and synthesized voices with known characteristics to facilitate testing of new acoustic analysis systems and confirm measurement accuracy and sensitivity.     

Whither belting?

An explanation of belting appears necessary for practical as well as scholarly reasons. Tentative definitions are available in the literature; however, they are controversial, especially since most are based on personal opinion. Further, many individuals involved in the use and care of the voice believe that singers who employ this technique have a disproportionately high incidence of vocal dysfunction. In any event, a review of what is known about belting, its nature, and the difficulties associated with it would appear helpful in its understanding and the prediction of fruitful avenues of research.     

Objective Voice Quality Analysis Before and After Onset of Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

This study was designed to investigate objective voice quality measurements in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) by eliminating intersubject variability. To our knowledge this is the first report objectively analyzing paralytic dysphonia as compared to the same voice before onset of UVFP. The voices of two male subjects were prospectively recorded before and after the onset of iatrogenic UVFP (thoracic surgery).The following acoustic measurements of the vowel /a/ were performed using the CSL and MDVP (Kay Elemetrics): jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio, cepstral peak prominence, the relative energy levels of the first harmonic, the first formant and the third formant, the spectral slope in the low-frequency zone (0-1 kHz and 0-2 kHz), and the relative level of energy above 6 kHz. Distribution of spectral energy was analyzed from a long-term average spectrum of 40 seconds of text. Laryngeal aerodynamic measurements were obtained for one patient before and after onset of paralysis using the Aerophone II (Kay Elemetrics). Pitch and amplitude perturbation increased secondary to UVFP, while the harmonics-to-noise ratio and the cepstral peak prominence decreased. A relative increase in the mid-frequency and high-frequency ranges and a decrease in the low-frequency spectral slope were observed. Mean airflow rate and intraoral pressure increased, and glottal resistance and vocal efficiency decreased secondary to UVFP. The findings of this self-paired study confirm some but not all the results of previous studies. Measures involving the fundamental and the formants did not corroborate previous findings. Further investigation with vocal tract modeling is warranted.     

Psychogenic Voice Disorders in Performers: A Psychodynamic Model

Psychogenic voice disorders are not infrequently encountered in the busy voice clinic. A clinician-friendly psychodynamic model and a multidisciplinary management approach are presented which have proven helpful for our voice team and our patients. In essence the formulation revolves around an “event” occurring, which may be either organic or psychological in nature. The ensuing dysphonia then leads to emotional consequences which in turn have physical consequences on the vocal tract. The situation can become reinforcing and illness behaviors develop. Elucidating this event/process to the patient improves the likelihood of a successful long-term outcome. The diagnostic and management roles of the various team members are discussed.