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Otolaryngologia Polska = the Polish... Apr 2019The aim of the study was to assess the acoustic and capacity analysis of singing voice using DiagnoScope Specialist software.
INTRODUCTION
The aim of the study was to assess the acoustic and capacity analysis of singing voice using DiagnoScope Specialist software.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study was conducted in 120 adults subjects, including 74 women and 46 men aged 21-5, were divided into 3 groups: I -40 subjects (treatment group) - professional vocalists, II- 40 subjects (treatment group) - semiprofessional vocalists, III- 40 subjects (control group) - students of The Military Medical Faculty at Medical University of Lodz - nonsingers. The research methodology included: primary medical history, physical examination (otolaryngological), vdeolaryngoscopic examination, the GRBAS scale for subjective voice evaluation, diagnostic voice acoustic and capacity analysis using DiagnoScope Specialist software, survey on lifestyle patterns which may affect voice quality.
RESULTS
Average value of the fundamental frequency F0 was the highest in professional vocalists' group was 316,46 Hz in women and 165,09 Hz in men, in semiprofessional vocalists' group was accordingly 260,50 Hz and 149,26 Hz, in nonsingers' group was accordingly 261,23 Hz and 159, 27 Hz. Average value of Jitter parameter in professional vocalists' group was 0,30% in women and 0,54% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists' group was accordingly 0,31% and 0,57%, in nonsingers' group was 0,31% and 0,56%. Average value of Shimmer parameter in professional vocalists' group was 3,27% in women and 3,75% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists' group was accordingly 3,46% and 3,77%, in nonsingers' group was 4,33% and 4,39%. Average value of NHR index in professional vocalists' group was 3,28% in women and 6,00% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists' group was accordingly 3,23% and 6,72%, in nonsingers' group was 3,89% and 6,13%.
CONCLUSIONS
Values of the parameters which are measuring the character of the voice, relative period-to-period fundamental frequency perturbations, relative period-to-period amplitude perturbation and level of buzzing together with other methods have diagnostic and predictive value in early detection of voice disorders. Capacity analysis in singing voice showed very low values of the following parameters: phonation time, true phonation time, no phonation coefficient, voice efficiency coefficient and voice capacity. Key words: The acoustic and capacity analysis, singing voice.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Phonation; Singing; Speech Acoustics; Speech Production Measurement; Voice; Voice Quality
PubMed: 31249149
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.1534 -
The Journal of the Acoustical Society... May 2021Relative fundamental frequency (RFF) is a promising assessment technique for vocal pathologies. Herein, we explore the underlying laryngeal factors dictating RFF...
Relative fundamental frequency (RFF) is a promising assessment technique for vocal pathologies. Herein, we explore the underlying laryngeal factors dictating RFF behaviours during phonation offset. To gain physical insights, we analyze a simple impact oscillator model and follow that with a numerical study using the well-established body-cover model of the vocal folds (VFs). Study of the impact oscillator suggests that the observed decrease in fundamental frequency during offset is due, at least in part, to the increase in the neutral gap between the VFs during abduction and the concomitant decrease in collision forces. Moreover, the impact oscillator elucidates a correlation between sharper drops in RFF and increased stiffness of the VFs, supporting experimental RFF studies. The body-cover model study further emphasizes the correlation between the drops in RFF and collision forces. The numerical analysis also illustrates the sensitivity of RFF to abduction initiation time relative to the phase of the phonation cycle, and the abduction period length. In addition, the numerical simulations display the potential role of the cricothyroid muscle to mitigate the RFF reduction. Last, simplified models of phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction are explored, demonstrating that the observed sharper drops in RFF are associated with increased pre-offset collision forces.
Topics: Laryngeal Muscles; Phonation; Physics; Speech Acoustics; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 34241131
DOI: 10.1121/10.0005006 -
Health Promotion International Dec 2022A mixed-methods concurrent identical design was implemented to explore the following research question: what are the emotional, social, and practical impacts of group...
A mixed-methods concurrent identical design was implemented to explore the following research question: what are the emotional, social, and practical impacts of group singing for women from a regeneration area? Members of an all-female community choir based in an area of disadvantage participated in a focus group and survey. The most significant quantitative finding was an increase in the overall perceived level of health, which seemed linked to qualitative themes of 'positive emotions', 'redefining and reclaiming identity', 'choir as an extended family' and 'community interaction and impact'. Three themes arose from qualitative data: social impact, health and well-being aspects, and practical issues. Integrating qualitative and quantitative findings identified an overarching concept that 'choir participation may increase emotional and social health and well-being'. Group singing was found beneficial, with a potential to serve as a resource in cultivating resilience in individuals living in areas of disadvantage.
Topics: Female; Humans; Extended Family; Singing
PubMed: 36482784
DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daac112 -
The Laryngoscope Jul 2019Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), the minimum subglottal pressure (P ) required for phonation, is sensitive to changes in laryngeal biomechanics and is often elevated...
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), the minimum subglottal pressure (P ) required for phonation, is sensitive to changes in laryngeal biomechanics and is often elevated with pathology. Little is reported on PTP in children; challenges with task performance and measurement reliability represent barriers to routine clinical assessment.
STUDY DESIGN
Pilot study evaluating PTP and P measurement reliability in children using labial and mechanical interruption.
METHODS
Twenty-two subjects aged 4 to 17 years (10.7 ± 3.9 years) participated. Ten trials were performed for each method; task order was randomized. For labial interruption, subjects produced /pα/ five times at softest (onset PTP) and comfortable amplitude. For mechanical interruption, subjects produced a sustained /α/ while a balloon valve interrupted phonation five times for 250 ms each; mechanical interruption was performed with a mouthpiece and mask. PTP was recorded as the difference between P and supraglottal pressure at phonation cessation (offset PTP). Mean PTP and P and intrasubject coefficients of variation were compared. Correlations with age were evaluated.
RESULTS
Mean PTP (P < .001) and P (P = .005) were higher for labial interruption. Intrasubject coefficients of variation for PTP (P = .554) and P (P = .305) were similar across methods. Coefficient of variation was related to age for mechanical-mask trials only (r = -0.628, P = .00175).
CONCLUSIONS
Differences in means are likely related to differences in task and PTP hysteresis effect. Reliability is comparable with all methods; using a mouthpiece may be preferable to a mask for mechanical interruption. Measurement of PTP is noninvasive, reliable, and may be a useful adjunct in pediatric voice assessment.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
3b Laryngoscope, 129:1520-1526, 2019.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Biomechanical Phenomena; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Glottis; Humans; Larynx; Male; Manometry; Otolaryngology; Phonation; Pilot Projects; Pressure; Reproducibility of Results; Respiratory Function Tests
PubMed: 30408173
DOI: 10.1002/lary.27418 -
Predictive Factors Associated with Oral Intake Ability in Gastrostomy Patients Under Long-Term Care.The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 2017To determine the physical indicators associated with oral intake status and swallowing function in gastrostomy patients under long-term care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the physical indicators associated with oral intake status and swallowing function in gastrostomy patients under long-term care.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
SETTING
Thirty-one hospitals that perform gastrostomy insertion, replacement and management.
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 117 respondents from 31 hospitals in Japan underwent gastrostomy tube replacement and management between September 2012 and January 2014. Each participant underwent a gastrostomy at least 6 months prior to the study, and received long-term care either at home, a care facility, or a hospital.
MEASUREMENTS
We conducted a questionnaire survey at Japanese hospitals and used the data obtained from 117 respondents for analysis. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire form that collected information about the following items: oral intake status, sex, age, disease history, number of days elapsed since gastrostomy, residence status, modified Rankin Scale score, consciousness, oral hygiene status, articulation and phonation, voluntary saliva swallow, Modified Water Swallow Test, and Food Test.
RESULTS
Results revealed significant differences in modified Rankin Scale scores, sputum production, articulation and phonation, and voluntary saliva swallowing between patients who were orally fed and those who were not. Moreover, sputum production and voluntary saliva swallowing were strongly associated with oral intake status. Finally, sputum production, articulation and phonation, and voluntary saliva swallowing were strongly associated with swallowing function test results.
CONCLUSION
Results from this study suggested that sputum production, articulation and phonation, and voluntary saliva swallowing could be used as indicators for estimating oral intake status and swallowing function in gastrostomy patients under long-term care.
Topics: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Eating; Female; Gastrostomy; Humans; Japan; Long-Term Care; Male; Middle Aged; Phonation; Sputum; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 28537338
DOI: 10.1007/s12603-016-0796-9 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... May 2017Vowel selection is important in differentiating between singing styles. The timbre of the vocal instrument, which is related to its frequency spectrum, is governed by...
Vowel selection is important in differentiating between singing styles. The timbre of the vocal instrument, which is related to its frequency spectrum, is governed by both the glottal sound source and the vowel choices made by singers. Consequently, the ability to modify the vowel space is a measure of how successfully a singer can maintain a desired timbre across a range of pitches. Formant range profiles were produced as a means of quantifying this ability. Seventy-seven subjects (including trained and untrained vocalists) participated, producing vowels with three intended mouth shapes: (1) neutral or speech-like, (2) megaphone-shaped (wide open mouth), and (3) inverted-megaphone-shaped (widened oropharynx with moderate mouth opening). The first and second formant frequencies (F and F) were estimated with fry phonation for each shape and values were plotted in F1-F2 space. By taking four vowels of a quadrangle /i, æ, a, u/, the resulting area was quantified in kHz (kHz squared) as a measure of the subject's ability to modify their vocal tract for spectral differences.
Topics: Acoustics; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phonation; Singing; Sound Spectrography; Vocal Cords; Voice Quality; Young Adult
PubMed: 28029556
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2016.08.014 -
Journal of Speech, Language, and... Aug 2023Defined as the similarity of speech behaviors between interlocutors, speech entrainment plays an important role in successful adult conversations. According to...
PURPOSE
Defined as the similarity of speech behaviors between interlocutors, speech entrainment plays an important role in successful adult conversations. According to theoretical models of entrainment and research on motoric, cognitive, and social developmental milestones, the ability to entrain should develop throughout adolescence. However, little is known about the specific developmental trajectory or the role of speech entrainment in conversational outcomes of this age group. The purpose of this study is to characterize speech entrainment patterns in the conversations of neurotypical early adolescents.
METHOD
This study utilized a corpus of 96 task-based conversations between adolescents between the ages of 9 and 14 years and a comparison corpus of 32 task-based conversations between adults. For each conversational turn, two speech entrainment scores were calculated for 429 acoustic features across rhythmic, articulatory, and phonatory dimensions. Predictive modeling was used to evaluate the degree of entrainment and relationship between entrainment and two metrics of conversational success.
RESULTS
Speech entrainment increased throughout early adolescence but did not reach the level exhibited in conversations between adults. Additionally, speech entrainment was predictive of both conversational quality and conversational efficiency. Furthermore, models that included all acoustic features and both entrainment types performed better than models that only included individual acoustic feature sets or one type of entrainment.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that speech entrainment skills are largely developed during early adolescence with continued development possibly occurring across later adolescence. Additionally, results highlight the role of speech entrainment in successful conversation in this population, suggesting the import of continued exploration of this phenomenon in both neurotypical and neurodivergent adolescents. We also provide evidence of the value of using holistic measures that capture the multidimensionality of speech entrainment and provide a validated methodology for investigating entrainment across multiple acoustic features and entrainment types.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Child; Speech; Communication; Phonation; Speech Production Measurement; Acoustics
PubMed: 37071795
DOI: 10.1044/2023_JSLHR-22-00263 -
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2018Specific elements such as weight and body volume can interfere in voice production and consequently in its acoustic parameters, which is why it is important for the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
INTRODUCTION
Specific elements such as weight and body volume can interfere in voice production and consequently in its acoustic parameters, which is why it is important for the clinician to be aware of these relationships.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between body mass index and the average acoustic voice parameters.
METHODS
Observational, cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample consisted of 84 women, aged between 18 and 40years, an average of 26.83 (±6.88). The subjects were grouped according to body mass index: 19 underweight; 23 normal ranges, 20 overweight and 22 obese and evaluated the fundamental frequency of the sustained vowel [a] and the maximum phonation time of the vowels [a], [i], [u], using PRAAT software. The data were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test to verify if there were differences between the groups regarding the study variables. All variables showed statistically significant results and were subjected to non-parametric test Mann-Whitney.
RESULTS
Regarding to the average of the fundamental frequency, there was statistically significant difference between groups with underweight and overweight and obese; normal range and overweight and obese. The average maximum phonation time revealed statistically significant difference between underweight and obese individuals; normal range and obese; overweight and obese.
CONCLUSION
Body mass index influenced the average fundamental frequency of overweight and obese individuals evaluated in this study. Obesity influenced in reducing maximum phonation time average.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Obesity; Phonation; Reference Values; Speech Acoustics; Statistics, Nonparametric; Voice; Young Adult
PubMed: 28545946
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.04.003 -
Head & Neck Apr 2021Although many patients achieve serviceable speech after total laryngectomy (TL), others are limited by un-naturally low pitch. We describe a cadaveric study to provide...
BACKGROUND
Although many patients achieve serviceable speech after total laryngectomy (TL), others are limited by un-naturally low pitch. We describe a cadaveric study to provide proof of concept for a novel voice prosthesis after TL with free tissue laryngoplasty.
METHODS
Devices were implanted into fresh frozen cadavers after TL and free tissue laryngoplasty. Phonation pressures were measured using a custom Blom-Singer Manometer (InHealth Technologies, Carpinteria, CA) and acoustic files were analyzed using Praat, a speech analysis software.
RESULTS
Two fresh frozen cadavers were implanted with the voice prosthesis. Both prostheses demonstrated appropriate stenting of the laryngoplasty. Successful sound production was achieved after airflow generation at the proximal trachea. An average phonation pressure of 3.5 cmH O (SD 1.7 cmH O) was necessary to generate a sound intensity of 80.6 dB (SD 0.2 dB) at an average fundamental frequency of 299.5 Hz (SD 112.6 Hz).
CONCLUSIONS
The novel voice prosthesis described herein offers a feasible voice generation mechanism.
Topics: Humans; Laryngectomy; Laryngoplasty; Larynx, Artificial; Phonation; Prosthesis Design; Speech
PubMed: 33372408
DOI: 10.1002/hed.26592 -
PloS One 2017This study investigates signals from sustained phonation and text-dependent speech modalities for Parkinson's disease screening. Phonation corresponds to the vowel /a/...
This study investigates signals from sustained phonation and text-dependent speech modalities for Parkinson's disease screening. Phonation corresponds to the vowel /a/ voicing task and speech to the pronunciation of a short sentence in Lithuanian language. Signals were recorded through two channels simultaneously, namely, acoustic cardioid (AC) and smart phone (SP) microphones. Additional modalities were obtained by splitting speech recording into voiced and unvoiced parts. Information in each modality is summarized by 18 well-known audio feature sets. Random forest (RF) is used as a machine learning algorithm, both for individual feature sets and for decision-level fusion. Detection performance is measured by the out-of-bag equal error rate (EER) and the cost of log-likelihood-ratio. Essentia audio feature set was the best using the AC speech modality and YAAFE audio feature set was the best using the SP unvoiced modality, achieving EER of 20.30% and 25.57%, respectively. Fusion of all feature sets and modalities resulted in EER of 19.27% for the AC and 23.00% for the SP channel. Non-linear projection of a RF-based proximity matrix into the 2D space enriched medical decision support by visualization.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Phonation; Speech
PubMed: 28982171
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185613