Speech and voice range profiles of adults with untrained normal voices: methodological implications.

Automatic recordings were made of speech and voice range profiles for 63 vocally healthy Australian men and women without voice training (30 males and 33 females aged 21 to 65 years). Test-retest reliability, evaluated for a subgroup, was high. Speech range profile results were consistent with results reported by others. However, voice range profiles were larger than shown in several previous studies. Nevertheless, voice range profiles were consistent with results reported for a recent study that used a similar elicitation and recording protocol and similar equipment. Results are discussed with reference to methodological issues important for reliable phonetogram recordings. The data may also be clinically useful for comparisons between disordered and healthy voices if similar equipment and elicitation and recording protocols are used.

Voice and speech range profiles and Voice Handicap Index for males--methodological issues and data.

Reference data for speech range profiles (SRP), voice range profiles (VRP), and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) are presented for Swedish males (n = 30). For comparisons, individual data for four male contact granuloma patients are also reported. For the vocally healthy group mean values were: speaking fundamental frequency 123 Hz (SD 12.1), speaking equivalent level, Leq, 72.2 dB (SD 2.1), SRP area 142 ST*dB (SD 24.1), and VRP area 1,706 ST*dB (SD 340). Mean VHI was 5 (SD 4.8). Test-retest recordings of VRP and SRP for three subjects suggested good reliability. SRP and VRP values for three of the patients fell more than 2 SD outside the reference values. Protocols and results are discussed and standardized recording and analyses procedures are suggested.

Phonetograms, aerodynamic measurements, self-evaluations, and auditory perceptual ratings of male-to-female transsexual voice.

OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study reports instrumental and subjective data for 25 male-to-female transsexual (M-F TS) individuals using their attempted female voice. The aim was to examine the usefulness of phonetograms and aerodynamic measures for voice assessment of this client group. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive and correlational. METHODS: Phonetogram speech-range profiles (SRPs) were recorded for the M-F TS participants' attempted female voice. Transglottal air pressure and airflow were estimated from oral recordings. All recordings were made in typical- and loud-voice conditions. Relationships among acoustical and aerodynamic measurements, background data, self-evaluations, and auditory perceptual ratings were examined. M-F TS data were compared with male and female normative data. RESULTS: Agreement between naive and voice-expert listeners as well as intra- and interlistener reliability was good. Fundamental frequency (F(0)) accounted for 41-49% of variation in gender ratings for the group, but individual exceptions were found. Background data did not account for female voice success. Perceptual ratings of strain and breathiness were low. No data indicated hyperfunctional vocal behavior. The aerodynamic data agreed with normative male high-pitch data. The speech sound pressure level (SPL) was higher than the female norms. Phonetogram speech-range data fell between male and female data. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) in perception of gender was confirmed. Instrumental and subjective data suggested that the use of low speech intensities and avoidance of vocal fry could help contribute to a successful female voice. Phonetograms were suggested to be useful for visual feedback and documentation of changes in voice therapy for M-F TS clients.

Phonetograms as a tool in the voice clinic: changes across voice therapy for patients with vocal fatigue.

UNLABELLED: This study discusses phonetogram recordings as a tool in the voice clinic. It reports experiences during recordings and changes in measures across voice therapy for women with vocal fatigue. Phonetogram data are discussed along with subglottal pressure measurements and subjective evaluations of voice function and quality. Assessments were made pre-, mid-, and post behaviorally based voice therapy. MEASURES: Maximum voice range profile (VRPmax), subglottal pressure, patient's and speech and language pathologist's (SLP) ratings of voice function and quality, and voice handicap index (VHI). RESULTS: Patients and SLPs often agreed in direction of voice change across therapy. Subglottal pressure did not change systematically across therapy. VHI had decreased and VRPmax increased after therapy, although not to normal values. Increased VRPmax for individuals was mainly due to extended capacity in the low intensities; high intensities did not change noticeably. Changes tended to occur after the mid-therapy session, suggesting that the therapy should not be shortened. The results and experiences from the assessments are discussed in terms of the use of phonetograms as a tool in the voice clinic and for voice therapy outcome evaluation.

Aerodynamic and acoustic voice measurements of patients with vocal nodules: variation in baseline and changes across voice therapy.

An important clinical issue concerns the efficacy of current voice therapy approaches in treating voice disorders, such as vocal nodules. Much research focuses on finding reliable methods for documentation of treatment results. In this second treatment study of ten patients with vocal nodules, who participated in a behaviorally based voice therapy program, 11 aerodynamic (transglottal air pressure and glottal waveform) and acoustic (spl, f0, and spectrum slope) measures were used. Three pretherapy baseline assessments were carried out, followed by one assessment after each of five therapy phases. Measurements were made of two types of speech materials: Strings of repeated /pae/ syllables and sustained /ae/ phonations in two loudness conditions: comfortable loudness and loud voice. The data were normalized using z-scores, which were based on data from 22 normal subjects. The results showed that the aerodynamic measures reflected the presence of vocal pathology to a higher degree than did the acoustic spectral measures, and they should be useful in studies comparing nodule and normal voice production. Large individual session-to-session variation was found for all measures across pretherapy baseline recordings, which contributed to nonsignificant differences between baseline and therapy data.