ABSTRACT
The aim of the investigation is to compare voice and speech quality in alaryngeal patients using esophageal speech (ESOP, eight subjects), electroacoustical speech aid (EACA, six subjects) and tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis (TEVP, three subjects). The subjects reading a short story were recorded in the sound-proof booth and the speech samples were acoustically analysed. Speech sound production was judged by 15 students of phonetics. The following variables were considered: (1) voice quality: fo, jitter, shimmer and harmonic-to-noise ratio, (2) speech sound production: number of recognized VCV syllables, and (3) temporal organization of speech: duration of the phonetic block, number of syllables in the phonetic block, rate of speech, rate of articulation and number of syllables in the longest phonetic block. The results showed that nearly normal air-stream source (lungs) in speech production of speakers with tracheoesophageal prosthesis significantly contributed to the speech timing and speech intelligibility of the alaryngeal speakers.
Subject(s)
Laryngectomy , Speech Acoustics , Speech Intelligibility , Speech, Alaryngeal , Voice Quality , Aged , Equipment Design , Female , Humans , Larynx, Artificial/standards , Male , Middle Aged , Regression Analysis , Speech Production Measurement , Speech, Alaryngeal/instrumentation , Speech, Esophageal/instrumentation , Tape Recording , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Some vocal characteristics were compared in two groups of examinees: patients after near-total laryngectomy and a control group of healthy examinees. Acoustic analysis was carried out using Multi Dimensional Voice Program and Spectra LAB program. Analyzed parameters were: fundamental frequency, the range of fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time, jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio, voice turbulence index, degree of voice breaks and intensity of voice. We found that voice after near-total laryngectomy had normal mean fundamental frequency, larger range of fundamental frequency, jitter and shimmer were high, as were noise to harmonic ratio and voice turbulence index. Maximum phonation time was short and intensity was lower compared to control group. Degree of voice breaks was significant in near-total laryngectomy group.
Subject(s)
Laryngectomy , Speech Production Measurement , Voice Quality , Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , PhonationABSTRACT
Vocal characteristics were compared in two groups of patients who were operated on due to laryngeal cancer. One group was composed of patients after near-total laryngectomy and the other after total laryngectomy followed by tracheoesophageal puncture with implantation of Provox 2 prosthesis. Acoustic analysis was carried out using the EZ Voice Plus program and included the following parameters: fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonic to noise ratio, range of fundamental frequency, maximal phonation time and intensity.
