| 11. |
- Lamarche, Anick, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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The Singer’s Voice Range Profile : Female Professional Opera Soloists
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 24:4, s. 410-426
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This work concerns the collection of 30 Voice Range Profiles (VRPs) of female operatic voice . Objectives: We address the questions: Is there a need for a singer’s protocol in VRP aquisition? Are physiological measurements sufficient or should the measurement of performance capabilities also be included? Can we address the female singing voice in general or is there a case for categorizing voices when studying phonetographic data? Method: Subjects performed a series of structured tasks involving both standard speech voice protocols and additional singing tasks. Singers also completed an extensive questionnaire. Results: Physiological VRPs differ from performance VRPs. Two new VRP metrics: the voice area above a defined level threshold, and the dynamic range independent from F0, were found to be useful in the analysis of singer VRP’s. Task design had no effect on performance VRP outcomes. Voice category differences were mainly attributable to phonation frequency based information. Conclusion: Results support the clinical importance of addressing the vocal instrument as it is used in performance. Equally important is the elaboration of a protocol suitable for the singing voice. The given context and instructions can be more important than task design for performance VRPs. Yet, for physiological VRP recordings, task design remains critical. Both types of VRPs are suggested for a singer’s voice evaluation.
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| 12. |
- Lindström, Fredric, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Observations of the Relationship Between Noise Exposure and Preschool Teacher Voice Usage in Day-Care Center Environments
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 25:2, s. 166-172
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although the relationship between noise exposure and vocal behavior (the Lombard effect) is well established, actual vocal behavior in the workplace is still relatively unexamined. The first purpose of this study was to investigate correlations between noise level and both voice level and voice average fundamental frequency (F-0) for a population of preschool teachers in their normal workplace. The second purpose was to study the vocal behavior of each teacher to investigate whether individual vocal behaviors or certain patterns could be identified. Voice and noise data were obtained for female preschool teachers (n = 13) in their workplace, using wearable measurement equipment. Correlations between noise level and voice level, and between voice level and F-0, were calculated for each participant and ranged from 0.07 to 0.87 for voice level and from 0.11 to 0.78 for F-0. The large spread of the correlation coefficients indicates that the teachers react individually to the noise exposure. For example, some teachers increase their voice-to-noise level ratio when the noise is reduced, whereas others do not.
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| 13. |
- Lundeborg Hammarström, Inger, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Acoustic and perceptual aspects of vocal function in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy : effects of surgery
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - New York, USA : Mosby-Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. - 9789173933339 ; 26:4, s. 480-487
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate outcome of two types of tonsil surgery (tonsillectomy [TE] + adenoidectomy or tonsillotomy [TT] + adenoidectomy) on vocal function perceptually and acoustically.Study Design: Sixty-seven children, aged 50–65 months, on waiting list for tonsil surgery were randomized to TE (n = 33) or TT (n = 34). Fifty-seven age- and gender-matched healthy preschool children were controls. Twenty-eight of them, aged 48–59 months, served as control group before surgery, and 29, aged 60–71 months, served as control group after surgery.Methods: Before surgery and 6 months postoperatively, the children were recorded producing three sustained vowels (/ɑ/, /u/, and /i/) and 14 words. The control groups were recorded only once. Three trained speech and language pathologists performed the perceptual analysis using visual analog scale for eight voice quality parameters. Acoustic analysis from sustained vowels included average fundamental frequency, jitter percent, shimmer percent, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and the center frequencies of formants 1–3.Results: Before surgery, the children were rated to have more hyponasality and compressed/throaty voice (P < 0.05) and lower mean pitch (P < 0.01) in comparison to the control group. They also had higher perturbation measures and lower frequencies of the second and third formants. After surgery, there were no differences perceptually. Perturbation measures decreased but were still higher compared with those of control group (P < 0.05). Differences in formant frequencies for /i/ and /u/ remained. No differences were found between the two surgical methods.Conclusion: Voice quality is affected perceptually and acoustically by adenotonsillar hypertrophy. After surgery, the voice is perceptually normalized but acoustic differences remain. Outcome was equal for both surgical methods.
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| 14. |
- Lyberg Åhlander, Viveka, et al.
(författare)
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Teachers' Voice Use in Teaching Environments: A Field Study Using Ambulatory Phonation Monitor.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-4588 .- 0892-1997. ; 28:6, s. 5-841
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This case-control designed field study examines the vocal behavior in teachers with self-estimated voice problems (VP) and their age- and school-matched voice healthy (VH) colleagues. It was hypothesized that teachers with and teachers without VP use their voices differently regarding fundamental frequency, sound pressure level (SPL), and in relation to the background noise.
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| 15. |
- McAllister, Anita, et al.
(författare)
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A Comparison of Recordings of Sentences and Spontaneous Speech : Perceptual and Acoustic Measures in Preschool Children's Voices.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 26:5, s. 13-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A well-controlled recording in a studio is fundamental in most voice rehabilitation. However, this laboratory like recording method has been questioned because voice use in a natural environment may be quite different. In children's natural environment, high background noise levels are common and are an important factor contributing to voice problems. The primary noise source in day-care centers is the children themselves. The aim of the present study was to compare perceptual evaluations of voice quality and acoustic measures from a controlled recording with recordings of spontaneous speech in children's natural environment in a day-care setting. Eleven 5-year-old children were recorded three times during a day at the day care. The controlled speech material consisted of repeated sentences. Matching sentences were selected from the spontaneous speech. All sentences were repeated three times. Recordings were randomized and analyzed acoustically and perceptually. Statistic analyses showed that fundamental frequency was significantly higher in spontaneous speech (P<0.01) as was hyperfunction (P<0.001). The only characteristic the controlled sentences shared with spontaneous speech was degree of hoarseness (Spearman's rho=0.564). When data for boys and girls were analyzed separately, a correlation was found for the parameter breathiness (rho=0.551) for boys, and for girls the correlation for hoarseness remained (rho=0.752). Regarding acoustic data, none of the measures correlated across recording conditions for the whole group.
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| 16. |
- McDonnell, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Vocal Fold Vibration and Phonation Start in Aspirated, Unaspirated, and Staccato Onset
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 25:5, s. 526-531
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives/Hypotheses. Singers learn to produce well-controlled tone onsets by accurate synchronization of glottal adduction and buildup of subglottal pressure. Spectrographic analyses have shown that the higher spectrum partials are present also at the vowel onset in classically trained singers' performances. Such partials are produced by a sharp discontinuity in the waveform of the transglottal airflow, presumably produced by vocal fold collision. Study Design. After hearing a prompt series of a triad pattern, six singer subjects sang the same triad pattern on the vowel /i/ (1) preceded by an aspirated /p/, (2) preceded by an unaspirated /p/, and (3) without any preceding consonant in staccato. Methods. Using high-speed imaging we examined the initiation of vocal fold vibration in aspirated and unaspirated productions of the consonant /p/ as well as in the staccato tones. Results. The number vibrations failing to produce vocal fold collision were significantly higher in the aspirated /p/ than in the unaspirated /p/ and in the staccato tones. High frequency ripple in the audio waveform was significantly delayed in the aspirated /p/. Conclusions. Initiation of vocal fold collision and the appearance of high-frequency ripple in the vowel /i/ are slightly delayed in aspirated productions of a preceding consonant /p/.
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| 17. |
- Morris, R.J., et al.
(författare)
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Long-Term Average Spectra From a Youth Choir Singing in Three Vocal Registers and Two Dynamic Levels
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 26:1, s. 30-36
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives/HypothesisFew studies have reported the acoustic characteristics of youth choirs. In addition, scant data are available on youth choruses making the adjustments needed to sing at different dynamic levels in different registers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to acoustically analyze the singing of a youth chorus to observe the evidence of the adjustments that they made to sing at two dynamic levels in three singing registers.Study DesignSingle-group observational study.MethodsThe participants were 47 members of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus who sang the same song sample in head, mixed, and chest voice at piano and forte dynamic levels. The song samples were recorded and analyzed using long-term average spectra and related spectral measures.ResultsThe spectra revealed different patterns among the registers. These differences imply that the singers were making glottal adjustments to sing the different register and dynamic level versions of the song. The duration of the closed phase, as estimated from the amplitudes of the first two harmonics, differed between the chest and head register singing at both dynamic levels. In addition, the spectral slopes differed among all three registers at both dynamic levels.ConclusionsThese choristers were able to change registers and dynamic levels quickly and with minimal prompting. Also, these acoustic measures may be a useful tool for evaluating some singing skills of young choristers.
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| 18. |
- Nygren, M., et al.
(författare)
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Gender Differences in Children's Voice Use in a Day Care Environment
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 26:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The prevalence of dysphonia is higher in boys than in girls before puberty. This could be because of the differences in boys' and girls' voice use. Previous research on gender differences in prepubescent children's voice parameters has been contradictory. Most studies have focused on examining fundamental frequency. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate voice use in boys and girls in a day care environment based on the voice parameters fundamental frequency (Hz), vocal intensity (dB SPL), and phonation time (%) and to ascertain whether there were any significant gender differences. Study Design. Prospective comparative design. Method. The study was conducted in a day care environment where 30 children (17 boys and 13 girls aged 4-5 years) participated. The participants' voices were measured continuously for 4 hours with a voice accumulator that registered fundamental frequency, vocal intensity level, phonation time, and background noise. Results. Mean (standard deviation) fundamental frequency was 310 (22) and 321 (16) Hz, vocal intensity was 93 (4) and 91 (3) dB SPL, and phonation time was 7.7 (2.0)% and 7.6 (2.5)% for boys and girls, respectively. No differences between genders were statistically significant. Conclusion. The finding of no statistically significant gender differences for measurements of voice parameters in a group of children aged 4-5 years in a day care environment is an important finding that contributes to increased knowledge about young boys' and girls' voice use.
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| 19. |
- Ohlsson, Ann-Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of Voice Symptoms and Risk Factors in Teacher Students
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997. ; 26:5, s. 629-634
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Teacher students seem to have low awareness of the vocal demands in their future professions, and students with vocal symptoms are at risk for developing voice disorders during their professional careers. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of voice problems in teacher students at the very beginning of their education at the university. Of 1636 students approached in the first couple of days, 1250 (76%) answered two questionnaires about voice symptoms, Screen6 and Swedish Voice Handicap Index (Sw-VHI), and one questionnaire about potential risk factors. A majority of the students were women, and their mean age was 23 years (range, 18-52 years). The results showed that 208 of 1250 students (17%) had voice problems, defined as at least two symptoms weekly or more often in Screen6. The proportion of women was larger in the group with voice problems than in the group without voice problems. Significant risk factors for voice problems were vocal fold problems in childhood and adulthood, frequent throat infections, airborne allergy, smoking, hearing problems, previous work as teacher or leader, voice demanding hobbies, and previous speech therapy or voice training. There was a clear association between the number of potential vocal risk factors and the number of voice symptoms. There was also a strong association between the scores of the two questionnaires, the Sw-VHI and the Screen6. Students with voice problems according to Screen6 scored 23.1 (mean Sw-VHI) compared with 7.8 for students without voice problems.
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| 20. |
- Pabon, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on Vocal Range and Voice Quality of Singing Voice Training : The Classically Trained Female Voice
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 28:1, s. 36-51
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesA longitudinal study was performed on the acoustical effects of singing voice training under a given study programme, using the Voice Range Profile (VRP). Study DesignPre- and post-training recordings were made of students that participated in a 3-year bachelor singing study programme. A questionnaire that included questions on optimal range, register use, classification, vocal health and hygiene, mixing technique, and training goals, was used to rate and categorize self-assessed voice changes. Based on the responses, a sub-group of 10 classically trained female voices was selected, that was homogeneous enough for effects of training to be identified. MethodsThe VRP perimeter contour was analyzed for effects of voice training. Also, a mapping within the VRP of voice quality, as expressed by the crest factor, was used to indicate the register boundaries and to monitor the acoustical consequences of the newly learned vocal technique of ‘mixed voice.’ VRP’s were averaged across subjects. Findings were compared to the self-assessed vocal changes. ResultsPre-post comparison of the average VRPs showed, in the midrange, (1) a decrease in the VRP area that was associated with the loud chest voice, (2) a reduction of the crest factor values, and (3) a reduction of maximum SPL values. The students’ self-evaluations of the voice changes appeared in some cases to contradict the VRP findings. ConclusionsVRP’s of individual voices were seen to change over the course of a singing education. These changes were manifest also in the group average. High resolution computerized recording, complemented with an acoustic register marker, allows a meaningful assessment of some effects of training, on an individual basis as well as for groups comprised of singers of a specific genre. It is argued that this kind of investigation is possible only within a focussed training programme, given by a faculty that has agreed on the goals.
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