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Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Sep 2023Equivalent sound level (Leq), sound pressure level (SPL) and fundamental frequency (F0) were analyzed in the stage speech of six Kunqu Opera roles, Young woman, Old...
Equivalent sound level (Leq), sound pressure level (SPL) and fundamental frequency (F0) were analyzed in the stage speech of six Kunqu Opera roles, Young woman, Old woman, Young man, Old man, Colorful face and Clown. The roles differ in gender, age, personality and phonation types. Differences among emotions (neutral, sad, angry and happy), singers and roles were examined. For most roles, more similarities were observed between neutral and sad stage speech and between angry and happy stage speeches. In most cases, the latter group showed higher Leq, mean SPL and Mean F0 and larger standard deviation (SD) of SPL difference than the former. Some parameters, such as SD of SPL, the mean of SPL difference and the difference between Leq and mean SPL, also showed the intra-group differences.Young woman role, Young man role and Old woman role were similar in some parameters. Colorful face role and Old man role showed a lot of similarities. Clown role showed the least similarities with the other roles. With regard to gender and age, young roles showed smaller SPL difference, larger correlation coefficient between F0 and SPL and larger mean SPL differences between emotions than old roles; female roles had greater parameter consistency and larger correlation coefficient between F0 and SPL than male roles. The personality and phonation types also effected the characteristics of loudness and pitch. This study showed the importance of speakers' characteristics in emotional speech analysis.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Speech; Voice Quality; Singing; Phonation; Emotions; Speech Acoustics
PubMed: 34090741
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.04.021 -
Current Opinion in Otolaryngology &... Dec 2017The purpose of this review is to summarize current evidence regarding treatment for muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) and to present recent advances in evaluation and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The purpose of this review is to summarize current evidence regarding treatment for muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) and to present recent advances in evaluation and management.
RECENT FINDINGS
It is generally accepted that voice therapy for MTD is effective, but current systematic reviews report limited evaluation specific to MTD patients with moderate evidence, at best, available to support voice therapy techniques. Individual studies are difficult to compare because of heterogeneity. Considerable work is underway to identify most important metrics to include in assessment, and to advance and define direct voice therapy approaches.
SUMMARY
Further standardization of assessment and treatment protocols for MTD will improve future research. Novel therapeutic techniques are under investigation. In small studies, these have found value in improving voice outcomes and measures compared with pretreatment values but have not met success greater than existing therapeutic methods.
Topics: Disability Evaluation; Dysphonia; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Male; Muscle Tonus; Phonation; Physical Therapy Modalities; Voice Quality; Voice Training
PubMed: 28984699
DOI: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000405 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Mar 2022Presbyphonia is an age-related voice disorder characterized by vocal fold atrophy and incomplete glottal closure during phonation. The extent to which the effects of...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Presbyphonia is an age-related voice disorder characterized by vocal fold atrophy and incomplete glottal closure during phonation. The extent to which the effects of presbyphonia may be compounded by age-related declines in the respiratory system and further impact communication and quality of life remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how variations in respiratory function impacts voice measures in a sample of participants with presbyphonia.
METHODS
In this pilot study, 21 participants with presbyphonia underwent respiratory assessments (spirometry and respiratory muscle strength testing) and voice assessments (videostroboscopy, acoustic analysis, auditory-perceptual ratings, aerodynamic assessment, and self-assessments). Factor and cluster analyses were conducted to extract voice and respiratory constructs and to identify groups of participants with similar profiles. Correlations and regression analyses were conducted to better describe the relationships between voice and respiratory function.
RESULTS
Respiratory function was found to impact voice via two main pathways: through its physiological effect on voice and through its impact on general health and impairment. A lower respiratory function was associated with a lower vocal fold pliability and regularity of vibration and with an elevated aerodynamic resistance accompanied by laryngeal hyperfunction. Standardized measures of respiratory function were associated with perceived voice-related handicap. Respiratory function did not associate with voice quality, which was mostly influenced by the severity of vocal fold atrophy.
CONCLUSION
Poor respiratory health exacerbates the burden of vocal fold atrophy and, therefore, implementation of respiratory screening prior to starting voice therapy may significantly affect the treatment plan and consequently the outcomes of voice therapy in this patient population.
Topics: Humans; Phonation; Pilot Projects; Quality of Life; Vocal Cords; Voice Disorders; Voice Quality
PubMed: 32641221
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.05.027 -
Phonetica Dec 2022Phonation and vowel quality are often thought to play a vital role at the initial stage of tonogenesis. This paper investigates the production of voicing and tones in a...
Phonation and vowel quality are often thought to play a vital role at the initial stage of tonogenesis. This paper investigates the production of voicing and tones in a tonal Northern Kmhmu' dialect spoken in Nan Province, Thailand, and a non-tonal Eastern Kmhmu' dialect spoken in Vientiane, Laos, from both acoustic and electroglottographic perspectives. Large and consistent VOT differences between voiced and voiceless stops are preserved in Eastern Kmhmu', but are not found in Northern Kmhmu', consistent with previous reports. With respect to pitch, f0 is clearly a secondary property of the voicing contrast in Eastern Kmhmu', but unquestionably the primary contrastive property in Northern Kmhmu'. Crucially, no evidence is found to suggest that either phonation type or formant differences act as significant cues to voicing in Eastern Kmhmu' or tones in Northern Kmhmu'. These results suggests that voicing contrasts can also be transphonologized directly into f0-based contrasts, skipping a registral stage based primarily on phonation and/or vowel quality.
Topics: Humans; Voice; Phonation; Language; Speech Acoustics; Acoustics; Phonetics
PubMed: 36719795
DOI: 10.1515/phon-2022-0029 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Jan 2022The main aim of this study was to investigate whether or not high pitch phonation can be used for assessing the vocal loading model. For this purpose, habitual and high...
OBJECTIVES
The main aim of this study was to investigate whether or not high pitch phonation can be used for assessing the vocal loading model. For this purpose, habitual and high pitch phonations were compared between teachers with and without vocal fatigue.
METHODS
Sixty teachers (30 teachers with vocal fatigue and 30 teachers without vocal fatigue) participated in the present study. From both the groups of teachers, habitual and high pitch phonations were recorded. Fundamental frequency measures (mean, minimum, and maximum fundamental frequency), percent Jitter (Jitt), relative average perturbation (RAP), pitch perturbation quotient (PPQ), smoothened pitch perturbation quotient (SPPQ), noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), and smoothened cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) measurements were extracted from the recorded samples. The different acoustic measurements were compared across the two phonations and two groups of teachers.
RESULTS
Significant decrease in mean, minimum, and maximum fundamental frequency values were found in high pitch phonation in teachers with vocal fatigue when compared with teachers without vocal fatigue. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups of participants for any of the acoustic measurements during the habitual phonation.
CONCLUSION
Current results highlight that high pitch phonation may serve as a better sensitive sample than habitual phonation as an indicator to assess vocal fatigue in teachers. Hence, further studies need to be done with different professional voice users to early identify those individuals who are susceptible to develop voice problems.
Topics: Humans; Phonation; Speech Acoustics; Voice; Voice Disorders; Voice Quality
PubMed: 32417040
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.04.016 -
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology May 2017The respiratory system is a central part of voice production, but details in breath control during phonation are not yet fully understood. This study therefore aims to...
The respiratory system is a central part of voice production, but details in breath control during phonation are not yet fully understood. This study therefore aims to investigate regional ventilation of the lungs during phonation. It was analyzed in 11 professional singers using electrical impedance tomography during breathing and phonation with maximum phonation time. Our results show differences in impedance changes between phonation and exhalation in the courses of time and amplitude normalized curves. Furthermore, differences related to gender and professionalism were found in the temporal and spatial profiles of regional ventilation. For female singers (sopranos and mezzo-sopranos) the anterior region participated less at the start of ventilation, and was more stable at the midpoint compared to male singers (tenors). This might be an expression of a smaller relative movement in rib cage and anterior diaphragm, primarily in early phonation.
Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Electric Impedance; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phonation; Pitch Perception; Professional Competence; Respiration; Sex Characteristics; Singing; Time Factors; Tomography; Young Adult
PubMed: 28109943
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2017.01.006 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Jul 2019Dysphonia is a known consequence of premature birth, and is usually associated with endotracheal intubation in the neonatal period or surgical ligation of persistent... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Dysphonia is a known consequence of premature birth, and is usually associated with endotracheal intubation in the neonatal period or surgical ligation of persistent patent ductus arteriosus. Recently, cases of dysphonia, in the absence of these causative factors, have been reported.
OBJECTIVES
This review seeks to identify literature pertaining to those aspects of laryngeal development that may potentially be disrupted by premature birth. The purpose of the review is to determine whether there is any possible anatomical or physiological explanation for dysphonia to arose solely from premature birth.
METHODS
This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by Arskey and O'Malley (2005). Fifteen relevant papers were identified. Results were categorized into age-related categories, to identify changes in the developmental trajectory. Based on the results of the literature search, a further category of unphonated larynges was added.
RESULTS
Potential differences in the laryngeal framework (e.g., the development of the cricoid cartilage and the shape of the glottis) and vocal fold histology, depending on gestational age and post-natal phonation were identified. Much literature focused on the macula flavae, however, the layers of the lamina propria were also discussed.
DISCUSSION
It is unclear whether the process of differentiation of the layers of the lamina propria, which commences in the second to third months of life in term-born infants, is disrupted by prematurity. Further, development of the macula flavae continues until at least 28 weeks' gestation. Preterm children may not phonate immediately after birth, which may also affect laryngeal development.
Topics: Dysphonia; Gestational Age; Humans; Larynx; Phonation; Premature Birth; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 31035174
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.04.014 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Jan 2021Straw phonation, a well-established method of vocal exercise, started over 100 years ago. However, some of the most basic questions about best practices remain including...
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND
Straw phonation, a well-established method of vocal exercise, started over 100 years ago. However, some of the most basic questions about best practices remain including the ideal extension length and the ideal restriction (semiocclusion) diameter. This study aims to help answer these questions by looking at both separately, with all other variables controlled.
METHODS
Four (4) straws with lengths of 5, 25, 50, and 75 centimeters and 4 restrictions with diameters of 3, 9, 15, and 21 mm were tested, separately. They were attached to the end of a simulated vocal tract which was then affixed to an excised canine larynx. Airflow was increased until the larynges achieved self-sustained phonation then aerodynamic, acoustic, and electroglottographic data were collected.
RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in the phonation threshold pressure using the 5 and 25 cm straw lengths and the 9 and 15 mm restrictions. The phonation threshold flow and contact quotient saw insignificant changes, except in the case of the 3 mm restriction.
DISCUSSION
It is theorized that the increased inertive reactance helps to decrease phonation threshold pressure. By controlling for all other variables, the effects of the length or diameter of the straw can be analyzed in isolation. These results narrow the significant range of lengths and diameters used in straw phonation.
Topics: Acoustics; Animals; Dogs; Larynx; Phonation; Pressure; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 31353125
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2019.07.001 -
Biomechanics and Modeling in... Aug 2023Neck muscles play important roles in various physiological tasks, including swallowing, head stabilization, and phonation. The mechanisms by which neck muscles influence...
Neck muscles play important roles in various physiological tasks, including swallowing, head stabilization, and phonation. The mechanisms by which neck muscles influence phonation are not well understood, with conflicting reports on the change in fundamental frequency for ostensibly the same neck muscle activation scenarios. In this work, we introduce a reduced-order muscle-controlled vocal fold model, comprising both intrinsic muscle control and extrinsic muscle effects. The model predicts that when the neck muscles pull the thyroid cartilage in the superior-anterior direction (with a sufficiently large anterior component), inferior direction, or inferior-anterior direction, tension in the vocal folds increases, leading to fundamental frequency rise during sustained phonation. On the other hand, pulling in the superior direction, superior-posterior direction, or inferior-posterior direction (with a sufficiently large posterior component) tends to decrease vocal fold tension and phonation fundamental frequency. Varying the pulling force location alters the posture and phonation biomechanics, depending on the force direction. These findings suggest potential roles of particular neck muscles in modulating phonation fundamental frequency, with implications for vocal hyperfunction.
Topics: Laryngeal Muscles; Phonation; Vocal Cords; Biomechanical Phenomena; Electric Stimulation
PubMed: 37169957
DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01724-3 -
Journal of Speech, Language, and... May 2021Purpose The excised canine larynx provides an advantageous experimental framework in the study of voice physiology. In recent years, signal processing methods have been...
Purpose The excised canine larynx provides an advantageous experimental framework in the study of voice physiology. In recent years, signal processing methods have been applied to analyze phonations in excised canine larynx experiments. However, phonations have a highly complex and nonstationary nature corresponding to different proportions of regular and chaotic signal elements. Current nonlinear dynamic methods that are used to assess the degree of irregularity in the voice fail to recognize the distribution of voice type components (VTCs). Method Based on measures of intrinsic dimension, this article presents a method to analyze the VTC distribution of phonations in excised canine larynx experiments. Thirty-nine phonation samples from 13 excised canine larynges at three different subglottal pressures were analyzed. Results Phonation produced with subglottal pressures above phonation instability pressure (PIP) and below phonation threshold pressure (PTP) resulted in high proportions of Voice Types 3 and 4, characterized by chaotic and noisy signals. Phonation produced with pressure between PTP and PIP contained mostly Type 1 voice, characterized by a regular and nearly periodic signal. Mean proportions of all VTCs varied significantly in comparisons of phonations produced with Sub-PTP and PTP as well as in comparisons of phonations produced with PTP and PIP. Conclusions Across all VTCs, the VTC profiles of normal and abnormal phonation differ significantly. Normal phonation is strongly associated with VTC (Voice Type Component 1), whereas abnormal phonation exhibits increased VTC (Voice Type Component 4). The study further demonstrates the ability of intrinsic dimension to successfully detect multiple voice types in an acoustic signal and highlights the need for expanded use of intrinsic dimension in human voice. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14417585.
Topics: Acoustics; Animals; Dogs; Humans; Larynx; Nonlinear Dynamics; Phonation; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
PubMed: 33887153
DOI: 10.1044/2021_JSLHR-20-00429