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Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Apr 2017This article attempts to describe the aging process of the vocal folds and the main features of the aged voice. (Review)
Review
AIM
This article attempts to describe the aging process of the vocal folds and the main features of the aged voice.
BACKGROUND
In the world ageing population era, aging diseases and aging disorders are crucial. Voice disorders (presbyphonia) are common in the elderly and have a significant impact on communication and quality of life. Some of these disorders depend on the vocal folds, which consist of an extracellular matrix (ECM), fibrous proteins, interstitial proteins, and glycosaminoglycans. The density and spatial arrangement of these elements are important, as changes in their deposition can alter the biomechanical properties and vibratory function of the vocal folds.
DISCUSSION
The aging voice process is analyzed in detail from mechanical factors like pulmonary bellows alteration, to hormonal factors and life style.
CONCLUSIONS
The elderly people undergoe mechanical, anatomical and functional changes: alterations of the pulmonary bellows, systemic changes like hormonal disregulation, and laryngeal changes, that resulting in hoarseness, which is difficult to treat.
Topics: Aging; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Life Style; Phonation; Respiratory Muscles; Vocal Cords; Voice Quality
PubMed: 28467327
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v88i1.5266 -
Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal... Sep 2015
Topics: Famous Persons; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Male; Obesity; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Phonation; Risk Factors; Singing; Stereotyped Behavior; Voice Quality
PubMed: 26255651
DOI: 10.1111/obr.12276 -
Nature Neuroscience Dec 2023Mammalian vocalizations are critical for communication and are produced through the process of phonation, in which expiratory muscles force air through the tensed vocal...
Mammalian vocalizations are critical for communication and are produced through the process of phonation, in which expiratory muscles force air through the tensed vocal folds of the larynx, which vibrate to produce sound. Despite the importance of phonation, the motor circuits in the brain that control it remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified a subpopulation of ~160 neuropeptide precursor Nts (neurotensin)-expressing neurons in the mouse brainstem nucleus retroambiguus (RAm) that are robustly activated during both neonatal isolation cries and adult social vocalizations. The activity of these neurons is necessary and sufficient for vocalization and bidirectionally controls sound volume. RAm Nts neurons project to all brainstem and spinal cord motor centers involved in phonation and activate laryngeal and expiratory muscles essential for phonation and volume control. Thus, RAm Nts neurons form the core of a brain circuit for making sound and controlling its volume, which are two foundations of vocal communication.
Topics: Animals; Male; Sheep; Mice; Vocalization, Animal; Larynx; Neurons; Brain Stem; Phonation; Mammals
PubMed: 37996531
DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01478-2 -
Cognitive Science May 2021Sound symbolism is a non-arbitrary correspondence between sound and meaning. The majority of studies on sound symbolism have focused on consonants and vowels, and the...
Sound symbolism is a non-arbitrary correspondence between sound and meaning. The majority of studies on sound symbolism have focused on consonants and vowels, and the sound-symbolic properties of suprasegmentals, particularly phonation types, have been largely neglected. This study examines the size and shape symbolism of four phonation types: modal and creaky voices, falsetto, and whisper. Japanese speakers heard 12 novel words (e.g., /íbi/, /ápa/) pronounced with the four types of phonation and rated the size and roundedness/pointedness each of the 48 stimuli seemed to represent on seven-point scales. The results showed that phonation types as well as consonantal and vocalic features influenced the ratings. Creaky voice was associated with larger and more pointed images than modal voice, which was in turn associated with larger and more pointed images than whisper. Falsetto was also associated with roundedness but not with smallness. These results shed new light on the acoustic approaches to sound symbolism and suggest the significance of phonation types and other suprasegmental features in the phenomenon.
Topics: Hearing; Humans; Language; Phonation; Sound; Symbolism
PubMed: 34018216
DOI: 10.1111/cogs.12982 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Sep 2021Synthetic vocal fold (VF) models used for studying the physics of voice production are comprised of silicone and fabricated using traditional casting processes. The...
OBJECTIVE
Synthetic vocal fold (VF) models used for studying the physics of voice production are comprised of silicone and fabricated using traditional casting processes. The purpose of this study was to develop and demonstrate a new method of creating synthetic VF models through 3D printing in order to reduce model fabrication time, increase yield, and lay the foundation for future models with more life-like geometric, material, and vibratory properties.
STUDY DESIGN
Basic science.
METHODS
A 3D printing technique based on embedding a UV-curable liquid silicone into a gel-like medium was selected and refined. Cubes were printed and subjected to tensile testing to characterize their material properties. Self-oscillating VF models were then printed, coated with a thin layer of silicone representing the epithelium, and used in phonation tests to gather onset pressure, frequency, and amplitude data.
RESULTS
The cubes were found to be anisotropic, exhibiting different modulus values depending on the orientation of the printed layers. The VF models self-oscillated and withstood the strains induced by phonation. Print parameters were found to affect model vibration frequency and onset pressure. Primarily due to the design of the VF models, their onset pressures were higher than what is found in human VFs. However, their frequencies were within a comparable range.
CONCLUSION
The results demonstrate the ability to 3D print synthetic, self-oscillating VF models. It is anticipated that this method will be further refined and used in future studies exploring flow-induced vibratory characteristics of phonation.
Topics: Humans; Models, Anatomic; Models, Biological; Phonation; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Vibration; Vocal Cords; Voice
PubMed: 32312610
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.01.030 -
Acta Oto-laryngologica Jan 2023The relation between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and muscles of the vocal tract is of particular importance when considering the pathomechanism of a functional...
BACKGROUND
The relation between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and muscles of the vocal tract is of particular importance when considering the pathomechanism of a functional voice disorder.
AIMS
The aim of this study was to record electrophysiological indicators from the ANS as well as the tone of the external laryngeal muscle and test whether together they could point to an enhanced risk of primary functional voice disorder.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study material consisted of 81 people, 27 of whom were professional opera singers. None reported any voice complaints. The research comprised ENT and phoniatric examination, superficial electromyography (SEMG), and recording of physiological indicators (pulse rate, skin resistance).
RESULTS
All subjects had a clear voice with no sign of vocal disability. Endoscopy revealed laryngeal hyperfunction in 26 people. SEMG revealed that the 26 had increased external laryngeal muscle tone during phonation, and this finding correlated with a change in certain electrophysiological indicators HRV, BVP, EDA.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that anomalies in electrophysiological parameters in individuals with subclinical symptoms of functional voice disorder may be at risk of developing fully symptomatic hyperfunctional dysphonia in the future. Vocal training, which differentiates singers and non-singers, is known to have an effect on subclinical hyperfunctional dysphonia.
SIGNIFICANCE
By measuring indicators of hyperfunctional dysphonia, it may be possible to take remedial action before symptomatic dysphonia develops.
Topics: Humans; Dysphonia; Voice Quality; Phonation; Laryngeal Muscles; Singing
PubMed: 36595463
DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2022.2162961 -
Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie Apr 2022
Topics: Adenoidectomy; Child; Humans; Phonation; Tonsillectomy
PubMed: 35345022
DOI: 10.1055/a-1738-7950 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Mar 2020To conduct an interdisciplinary literature review on the function of the pelvic floor musculature during respiration and its role in phonation, particularly singing. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To conduct an interdisciplinary literature review on the function of the pelvic floor musculature during respiration and its role in phonation, particularly singing.
STUDY DESIGN
This is a literature review.
METHODS
A literature review was conducted using three electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. An index search was also performed for the NATS Journal/Journal of Singing utilizing the keywords from the original search, as these articles did not appear in the original search. Peer-reviewed articles from 1985 to 2017 were gathered on the respiratory musculature and/or support mechanisms for phonation (anatomy and physiology). Articles that pertained to the muscular function of the respiratory system in breathing and/or phonation were utilized in the review. Eighty-five articles were included in this review.
RESULTS
Breathing and support strategies were variable and nonspecific in much of the singing voice literature. The voice science literature was a rich source of articles written about breathing and support for singing. Multiple studies looked at musculature utilized in respiration and breath support and subglottal pressure generation for muscular support. However, little or no mention was made specifically of the pelvic floor. The physical medicine literature includes the pelvic floor musculature as having an important role in respiration, as a key player in the generation of intra-abdominal pressure, and as a primary expiratory muscle.
CONCLUSIONS
The information gleaned from this literature review suggests that a cross-pollination between areas of science is needed, because quite obviously, the pelvic floor is a topic in physical medicine, but it is not (so much) in the voice literature. Reaching a consensus on how we describe the function of the respiratory musculature and specifically including the role of the pelvic floor in respiration and phonation deserves future attention. Further research looking specifically at the role of the pelvic floor in phonation is also warranted.
Topics: Airway Resistance; Humans; Lung; Muscle Contraction; Pelvic Floor; Phonation; Pressure; Respiration; Singing; Voice Quality
PubMed: 30447797
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2018.09.024 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Jun 2018Although the call repertoire and its communicative function are relatively well explored in Japanese macaques (), little empirical data are available on the physics and...
Although the call repertoire and its communicative function are relatively well explored in Japanese macaques (), little empirical data are available on the physics and the physiology of this species' vocal production mechanism. Here, a 6 year old female Japanese macaque was trained to phonate under an operant conditioning paradigm. The resulting 'coo' calls and spontaneously uttered 'growl' and 'chirp' calls were recorded with sound pressure level (SPL) calibrated microphones and electroglottography (EGG), a non-invasive method for assessing the dynamics of phonation. A total of 448 calls were recorded, complemented by recordings on an excised Japanese macaque larynx. In this novel multidimensional investigative paradigm, and data were matched via comparable EGG waveforms. Subsequent analysis suggests that the vocal range (range of fundamental frequency and SPL) of the macaque was comparable to that of a 7-10 year old human, with the exception of low intensity chirps, the production of which may be facilitated by the species' vocal membranes. In coo calls, redundant control of fundamental frequency in relation to SPL was also comparable to that in humans. EGG data revealed that growls, coos and chirps were produced by distinct laryngeal vibratory mechanisms. EGG further suggested changes in the degree of vocal fold adduction , resulting in spectral variation within the emitted coo calls, ranging from 'breathy' (including aerodynamic noise components) to 'non-breathy'. This is again analogous to humans, corroborating the notion that phonation in humans and non-human primates is based on universal physical and physiological principles.
Topics: Animals; Female; Larynx; Macaca; Phonation; Pressure; Sound Spectrography; Vocalization, Animal
PubMed: 29615529
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.171801 -
The Laryngoscope Jul 2022Phonation threshold pressure (P ) is the minimum subglottic pressure required to reach phonation onset and is considered a marker for vocal efficiency and health. We...
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
Phonation threshold pressure (P ) is the minimum subglottic pressure required to reach phonation onset and is considered a marker for vocal efficiency and health. We investigated the effects of intrinsic laryngeal muscle (ILM) activation on P .
STUDY DESIGN
In vivo animal study.
METHODS
In an in vivo canine phonation model, laryngeal adductor muscles were activated together by stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs) and individually via stimulation of respective terminal nerve branches. Cricothyroid (CT) muscles were activated via stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerves. ILMs were activated in a graded manner at various combinations as transglottal airflow was gradually increased. Aerodynamic and glottal posture parameters were measured at phonation onset.
RESULTS
Graded RLN stimulation decreased glottal distance and increased P . Thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle activation alone increased P . Lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA) muscle activation alone had minimal effects. However, graded TA activation as a function of LCA activation level revealed a synergistic relationship between the two muscles in increasing P . Effects of CT activation were dependent on adductor stimulation level: CT activation increased P at low RLN stimulation levels and decreased P at high RLN levels.
CONCLUSIONS
The effects of ILM activation on P were consistent with their expected effects on vocal fold stiffness and tension. TA was the primary adductor controlling P . While LCA alone had minimal effects on P , it enhanced the role of TA in controlling P . TA and CT have antagonistic roles in controlling P . These relationships should be considered in clinical efforts to improve ease of phonation and vocal efficiency.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
NA, basic science Laryngoscope, 132:1427-1432, 2022.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Electric Stimulation; Glottis; Humans; Laryngeal Muscles; Phonation; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 34784055
DOI: 10.1002/lary.29944