ABSTRACT
Objective To study the Mandarin long-term average speech spectrum (LTASS),the effects of gender,language and region material on LTASS were explored.This research would provide reference for clinical and academic use of Mandarin LTASS.Methods One hundred and sixty subjects from eight major dialectic regions of China,aging 16~30 (average 22.3±3.3),were asked to read two materials (storybook,newspaper)in Manda-rin at a steady speed and conversational level inside a standard soundproof booth.Ten males and ten females were in each dialectic region.A microphone (B&K 4192)was used to monitor each subject's speech which was analyzed with a real-time spectrum analyzer to obtain the long-term spectrum (B&K PULSE 3560C).Results Different Man-darin LTASS spectra were obtained based on gender,material and regions.The spectra were tested with profile a-nalysis.Language material had no significant effects on the Mandarin LTASS (F =2.52,P =0.11 ).There was, however,significant gender difference (F =116.39,P =0.00).Males had spoken with intensity levels higher than females at 100 Hz to 200 Hz.There was also a dialectic difference in the Mandarin LTASS (F =1.29,P =0.02). Speakers from Guangdong had the lowest intensity levels compared to those from other regions.Conclusion Genders and regions are factors that need to be considered when LTASS is used for clinical purpose and academic study.