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CoDAS 2023Dynamic vocal analysis (DVA) is an auditory-perceptual and acoustic vocal assessment strategy that provides estimates on the biomechanics and aerodynamics of vocal...
Dynamic vocal analysis (DVA) is an auditory-perceptual and acoustic vocal assessment strategy that provides estimates on the biomechanics and aerodynamics of vocal production by performing frequency and intensity variation tasks and using voice acoustic spectrography. The objective of this experience report is to demonstrate the use of DVA in the assessment of vocal functionality of dysphonic and non-dysphonic individuals, with a special focus on the laryngeal musculature. Phonatory tasks consisted of sustained vowel, "a" or "é", and/or connected speech, in three intensities (habitual, soft, and loud) and three frequencies (habitual, high, and low), as well as ascending and descending glissando. The adjustments of the laryngeal and paralaryngeal muscles can be inferred from the different DVA tasks. The main characteristics of the laryngeal muscles analyzed are control of glottic adduction, stretching, and shortening of the vocal folds; the main characteristics of the paralaryngeal musculature are mainly related to the vertical laryngeal position in the neck. While the sustained vowel evaluates the vocal functionality with a focus on the larynx, connected speech allows the evaluation of the articulatory adjustments employed. An acoustic spectrographic software can be used to visualize the performance of such tasks. The clinical application of the DVA will be exemplified using acoustic spectrography plates from normal and dysphonic voices, taken from a voice bank. Individuals who perform the DVA tasks in a balanced way, with adequate vocal quality and without phonatory effort, demonstrate good vocal functionality. On the other hand, difficulties in performing these tasks with worsening vocal quality and/or increased muscle tension may be indications of altered vocal functionality.
Topics: Humans; Voice; Speech; Phonation; Voice Quality; Larynx
PubMed: 37729254
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20232021083pt -
Journal of Speech, Language, and... Aug 2021Purpose Many children with cerebral palsy (CP) are described as having altered vocal quality. The current study utilizes psychoacoustic measures, namely, low-amplitude...
Purpose Many children with cerebral palsy (CP) are described as having altered vocal quality. The current study utilizes psychoacoustic measures, namely, low-amplitude (H1*-H2*) and high-amplitude (H1*-A2*) spectral tilt and cepstral peak prominence (CPP), to identify the vocal fold articulation characteristics in this population. Method Eight children with CP and eight typically developing (TD) peers produced vowel singletons [i, ɑ, u] and a story retell task with the same vowels in the words "beets, Bobby, boots." H1*-H2*, H1*-A2*, and CPP were extracted from each vowel. Results were analyzed with mixed linear models to identify the effect of Group (CP, TD), Task (vowel singleton, story retell), and Vowel [i, ɑ, u] on the dependent variables. Results Children with CP have lower spectral tilt values (H1*-H2* and H1*-A2*) and lower CPP values than their TD peers. For both groups, vowel singletons were associated with lower CPP values as compared to story retell. Finally, the vowel [ɑ] was associated with higher spectral tilt and higher CPP values as compared to [i, u]. Conclusions Children with CP have more constricted and creaky vocal quality due to lower spectral tilt and greater noise. Unlike adults, children demonstrate poorer vocal fold articulation when producing vowel singletons as compared to story retell. Finally, low vowels like [ɑ] seem to be produced with less constriction and noise as compared to high vowels.
Topics: Adult; Cerebral Palsy; Child; Humans; Phonation; Speech Acoustics; Vocal Cords; Voice Quality
PubMed: 34260269
DOI: 10.1044/2021_JSLHR-20-00633 -
Journal of Speech, Language, and... May 2020Purpose This preliminary study examined the influence of menstrual cycle phase and hormone levels on acoustic measurements of vocal function in reproductive and...
Purpose This preliminary study examined the influence of menstrual cycle phase and hormone levels on acoustic measurements of vocal function in reproductive and postmenopausal females. Mean fundamental frequency (f0), speaking fundamental frequency (Sf0), and cepstral peak prominence (CPP) were evaluated. It was hypothesized that Sf0 and CPP would be lower during the luteal and ischemic phases of the menstrual cycle. Group differences with lower values in postmenopausal females and greater variability in the reproductive females were also hypothesized. Method A mixed factorial analysis of variance was used to examine differences between reproductive and postmenopausal females and the four phases of the menstrual cycle. Separate analyses of variances were implemented for each of the dependent measures. Twenty-eight female participants (15 reproductive cycling, 13 postmenopausal) completed the study. Participants were recorded reading the Rainbow Passage and sustaining the vowel /a/. Mean vocal f0, Sf0, and CPP were determined from the acoustic samples. Blood assays were used to determine estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and neuropeptide Y levels at four data collection time points. Results Group differences in hormone levels and Sf0 values were established with the postmenopausal group having significantly lower hormone levels and significantly lower Sf0 than the reproductive cycling group across the phases. Analysis of the reproductive group by hormone levels and cycle phase revealed no significant differences for CPP or Sf0 across phases. Higher estrogen was identified in the ovulation phase, and higher progesterone was identified in the luteal phase. Conclusions Significant differences in hormone levels and Sf0 were identified between groups. Within the reproductive cycling group, the lack of significant difference in acoustic measures relative to hormone levels indicated that the measures taken may not have been sensitive enough to identify hormonally mediated vocal function changes. The participant selection may have biased the findings in that health conditions and medications that are known to influence voice function were used as exclusion criteria.
Topics: Female; Hormones; Humans; Phonation; Plasma; Speech Acoustics; Voice
PubMed: 32402220
DOI: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-19-00224 -
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 -
PloS One 2022Investigations of neuromuscular control of voice production have primarily focused on the roles of muscle activation levels, posture, and stiffness at phonation onset....
Investigations of neuromuscular control of voice production have primarily focused on the roles of muscle activation levels, posture, and stiffness at phonation onset. However, little work has been done investigating the stability of the phonation process in regards to spontaneous changes in vibratory mode of vocal fold oscillation as a function of neuromuscular activation. We evaluated 320 phonatory conditions representing combinations of superior and recurrent laryngeal nerve (SLN and RLN) activations in an in vivo canine model of phonation. At each combination of neuromuscular input, airflow was increased linearly to reach phonation onset and beyond from 300 to 1400 mL/s. High-speed video and acoustic data were recorded during phonation, and spectrograms and glottal-area-based parameters were calculated. Vibratory mode changes were detected based on sudden increases or drops of local fundamental frequency. Mode changes occurred only when SLNs were concurrently stimulated and were more frequent for higher, less asymmetric RLN stimulation. A slight increase in amplitude and cycle length perturbation usually preceded the changes in the vibratory mode. However, no inherent differences between signals with mode changes and signals without were found.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Glottis; Laryngeal Nerves; Larynx; Phonation; Vibration; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 35421159
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266910 -
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences Dec 2022An increasing body of qualitative and quantitative research suggests that choir singing can improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. A recurring phenomenon is...
BACKGROUND
An increasing body of qualitative and quantitative research suggests that choir singing can improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. A recurring phenomenon is social agency and social and emotional competences. However, there is little consensus about the underlying impact mechanisms and the special nature of music as a medium for music-based social-emotional competence.
AIM
This research was carried out to explore how the participants experienced engaging and singing in the choir A Song for the Mind in order to understand the social and emotional aspects in relation to choir singing and mental health.
METHOD
Six women and two men were interviewed. The study involved open-ended interviews and applied Paul Ricoeur's phenomenological-hermeneutic theory of interpretation in processing the collected data.
FINDINGS
Two themes emerged-The Singing Me and Cultivating Us. Joining the choir, singing and engaging with the lyrics, helped the participants get in contact with complex feelings and visualise and express challenges. This formed feelings of connecting to oneself and opening up to become aware of the world such as nature, the other person and the choir. Songs, melodies, tones, lyrics-singing together-formed a relation between the participants and the other and the group. This was a meaningful, and to some, a life-changing experience, and an important learning process to the professionals. As the participants are sensing and connecting to themselves, there is an opening for growing a nascent presence and awareness.
CONCLUSION
Joining the initiative A Song for the Mind instils an attention to the other person(s). The singing process seems to evoke presence, leading to awareness towards relational aspects and solidarity. In a choir singing perspective, and health care practice in general, this can be seen as a budding and ground-breaking formation of cultural activities holding learning and empowering potentials instilling mental health.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Singing; Mental Health; Emotions
PubMed: 35338510
DOI: 10.1111/scs.13078 -
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews.... May 2021African American Language (AAL) is one of the most researched varieties of American English, yet key aspects of its development and spread remain under-theorized. For... (Review)
Review
African American Language (AAL) is one of the most researched varieties of American English, yet key aspects of its development and spread remain under-theorized. For example, regional and social variation in the speech of African Americans was initially understudied in AAL as scholars sought to demonstrate the overall systematicity of the variety, often at the expense of examining variation across and within communities. More recently, scholars have begun to address this gap by examining different sources of variation in AAL phonology. For instance, the African American Vowel System (AAVS), also called the African American Vowel Shift, describes a pattern identified within AAL, including the raising of the front lax vowels and the nonfronting of the high- and mid-back vowels. Aspects of the AAVS have been found in geographically widespread varieties of AAL, suggesting that shared patterns of population movement resulting from the Great Migration and subsequent social experiences may have led to the development of this system. Other more regionally limited sound patterns suggest the role of more localized processes of variation and change. We focus on three sources of variation that have contributed to the spread and realizations of the sound system in modern AAL: migration, segregation, and place and identity. Evidence from sociophonetic analyses across these three factors provides a foundation to more thoroughly document the ways in which AAL varieties developed, spread, and vary, while allowing for a more nuanced assessment of racialization and its implications for individual differences. This article is categorized under: Linguistics > Linguistic Theory Psychology > Language.
Topics: Black or African American; Geography; Humans; Phonation; Phonetics; Speech; Speech Acoustics
PubMed: 33433053
DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1550 -
Journal of the Association For Research... Feb 2022Perhaps the most striking evidence for active processes operating within the inner ears of mammals and non-mammals alike is their ability to spontaneously produce sound.... (Review)
Review
Perhaps the most striking evidence for active processes operating within the inner ears of mammals and non-mammals alike is their ability to spontaneously produce sound. Predicted by Thomas Gold in 1948, some 30 years prior to their discovery, the narrow-band sounds now known as spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) remain incompletely understood, their origins controversial. Without a single equation in the main text, we review the essential concepts underlying the "local-" and "global-oscillator" frameworks for understanding SOAE generation. Comparing their key assumptions and predictions, we relate the two frameworks to unresolved questions about the biophysical mechanisms of cochlear amplification.
Topics: Animals; Cochlea; Mammals; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; Singing; Sound; Vocalization, Animal
PubMed: 34981262
DOI: 10.1007/s10162-021-00829-9 -
International Orthodontics Mar 2021To determine the relationship between AOB and factors such as dental arch dimensions and tongue position during swallowing and phonation.
Anterior open bite and its relationship with dental arch dimensions and tongue position during swallowing and phonation in individuals aged 8-16 years: A retrospective case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between AOB and factors such as dental arch dimensions and tongue position during swallowing and phonation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A case-control study was performed in two groups: 132 children with Anterior Open Bite (AOB) and 132 with normal vertical overbite (NVO), aged 8-16 years selected from the records taken by a previous study from five public schools. Dental arch dimensions were assessed through digitalized study models. Swallowing was evaluated using the Payne technique, and phoniatric assessment included an adaptation of the articulation test used to describe phonemes.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Chi-Square or Fisher's exact test for comparisons between qualitative variables and the Mann Whitney or T-student were applied to compare the dental arch dimensions according to bite type. A logistic regression model was applied to control the effect of confusion between independent variables and to describe its simultaneous effect on the type of bite.
RESULTS
Intercanine, interpremolar and intermolar widths showed higher values in AOB patients with a mean deviation (MD) of 0.536 (P=0.031), 0.60 (P=0.043) and 1.15, (P<0.001) respectively. Distortions caused by tongue interposition and thrust, tongue protrusion during swallowing, mandibular arch intermolar width, total maxillary arch length, maxillary arch perimeter, and posterior arch depth accounted for 64.6% of AOB and allowed for correct predictions in 83.8% of the cases observed in the study population.
CONCLUSIONS
A significant association between tongue position and function, as well as alterations such as tongue interposition and thrust during swallowing and phonation in individuals with AOB, were observed. There is a relationship between AOB and the presence of a wider mandibular arch and a narrower, longer, and deeper maxillary arch.
Topics: Adolescent; Case-Control Studies; Child; Colombia; Deglutition; Dental Arch; Female; Humans; Male; Malocclusion; Maxilla; Open Bite; Phonation; Retrospective Studies; Schools; Tongue
PubMed: 33518486
DOI: 10.1016/j.ortho.2020.12.005