| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Baker, C. P., et al.
(författare)
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CPPS and Voice-Source Parameters : Objective Analysis of the Singing Voice
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 38:3, s. 549-560
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: In recent years cepstral analysis and specific cepstrum-based measures such as smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) has become increasingly researched and utilized in attempts to determine the extent of overall dysphonia in voice signals. Yet, few studies have extensively examined how specific voice-source parameters affect CPPS values. Objective: Using a range of synthesized tones, this exploratory study sought to systematically analyze the effect of fundamental frequency (fo), vibrato extent, source-spectrum tilt, and the amplitude of the voice-source fundamental on CPPS values. Materials and Methods: A series of scales were synthesised using the freeware Madde. Fundamental frequency, vibrato extent, source-spectrum tilt, and the amplitude of the voice-source fundamental were systematically and independently varied. The tones were analysed in PRAAT, and statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS. Results: CPPS was significantly affected by both fo and source-spectrum tilt, independently. A nonlinear association was seen between vibrato extent and CPPS, where CPPS values increased from 0 to 0.6 semitones (ST), then rapidly decreased approaching 1.0 ST. No relationship was seen between the amplitude of the voice-source fundamental and CPPS. Conclusion: The large effect of fo should be taken into account when analyzing the voice, particularly in singing-voice research, when comparing pre and posttreatment data, and when comparing inter-subject CPPS data.
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| 3. |
- Beka, Ervin, et al.
(författare)
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Voice Changes Without Laryngeal Nerve Alterations After Thyroidectomy: The Need For Prospective Trials - A Review Study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : MOSBY-ELSEVIER. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 38:1, s. 231-238
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Thyroidectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure that is offered for different thyroid pathologies. The most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy is transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism followed by transient or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Patients may experience voice impairment despite intact laryngeal nerve function. These patients are of special interest because they experience subjective symptoms which are difficult to measure and therefore to treat. Summary. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and VHI-10 are the most commonly used subjective questionnaires. Their results correlate with objective findings. Female sex, in particular after menopause, is a dominant factor for developing voice impairment after thyroidectomy. The extent of neck surgery and the weight and volume of the removed thyroid correlates directly with both objective and subjective voice impairment after surgery. Videolaryngostroboscopy should be considered to examine vocal cord pathologies in this patient group. Surprisingly, there are no studies showing that speech and voice therapy are beneficial for patients with voice alterations but with intact laryngeal nerves. Conclusions. While recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis can be evaluated by objective exams postoperatively, we are still left with the issue of possible partial or complete external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) injury. It is therefore quite difficult to segregate neural (RLN and EBSLN) and non -neural voice change populations, regardless of the method of literature evaluation. Perhaps patients' perspectives on how they experience voice functionality should play a superior role in deciding which patients should be investigated further with laryngoscopy, acoustic or perceptual analysis, and which patients should be offered treatment.
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| 4. |
- Bojner Horwitz, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Choir singers without rehearsals and concerts? : A questionnaire study on perceived losses from restricting choral singing during the covid-19 pandemic.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 37:1, s. 146.e19-146.e27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Choir singing is an activity that engages individuals all over the world with a broad demographic representation. Both qualitative and quantitative studies have examined the benefits of the activity but very few have examined the effects when someone loses access to it and stops singing.Objectives: Examining the governmental and organisational responses precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we asked what happens when a choir singer loses all of their routines associated with regular participation in choir singing.Materials and Methods: One national choir organization in Sweden (n = 3163) and one in Norway (n = 1881) were approached with a short survey. This comprised questions relating to the issue “what do you as a choir singer misses the most?” Each participant was asked to rate the importance of a number of elements that pertain to the experience of choir singing.Results: The social aspect of singing emerged as having the strongest weight in terms of perceived loss that is, it was the element that the participants missed the most. Professional singers report that they miss the aesthetic experiences, flow, and all the physical aspects (physical training, voice training, and breathing training) to a greater degree as compared to reports from the amateurs. The importance of aesthetic experiences and physical components appeared to rise with increasing number of years that an individual had engaged with choir singing.Conclusion: In the Scandinavian setting, the social aspect has a stronger weight than the other components and this seemed to be more significant in Norway compared to Sweden.
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| 5. |
- Cai, Huanchen, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on Voice Quality of Thyroidectomy : A Qualitative and Quantitative Study Using Voice Maps
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: This study aims to explore the effects of thyroidectomy—a surgical intervention involving the removal of the thyroid gland—on voice quality, as represented by acoustic and electroglottographic measures. Given the thyroid gland's proximity to the inferior and superior laryngeal nerves, thyroidectomy carries a potential risk of affecting vocal function. While earlier studies have documented effects on the voice range, few studies have looked at voice quality after thyroidectomy. Since voice quality effects could manifest in many ways, that a priori are unknown, we wish to apply an exploratory approach that collects many data points from several metrics.Methods: A voice-mapping analysis paradigm was applied retrospectively on a corpus of spoken and sung sentences produced by patients who had thyroid surgery. Voice quality changes were assessed objectively for 57 patients prior to surgery and 2 months after surgery, by making comparative voice maps, pre- and post-intervention, of six acoustic and electroglottographic (EGG) metrics.Results: After thyroidectomy, statistically significant changes consistent with a worsening of voice quality were observed in most metrics. For all individual metrics, however, the effect sizes were too small to be clinically relevant. Statistical clustering of the metrics helped to clarify the nature of these changes. While partial thyroidectomy demonstrated greater uniformity than did total thyroidectomy, the type of perioperative damage had no discernible impact on voice quality.ConclusionsChanges in voice quality after thyroidectomy were related mostly to increased phonatory instability in both the acoustic and EGG metrics. Clustered voice metrics exhibited a higher correlation to voice complaints than did individual voice metrics.
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| 6. |
- Cavalcanti, Julio Cesar, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Multiparametric Analysis of Speaking Fundamental Frequency in Genetically Related Speakers Using Different Speech Materials : Some Forensic Implications
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 38:1, s. 243.e11-243.e29
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To assess the speaker-discriminatory potential of a set of fundamental frequency estimates in intraidentical twin pair comparisons and cross-pair comparisons (i.e., among all speakers). Participants: A total of 20 Brazilian Portuguese speakers of the same dialect, namely 10 male identical twin pairs aged between 19 and 35, were recruited. Method: the participants were recorded directly through professional microphones while taking part in a spontaneous dialogue over mobile phones. Acoustic measurements were performed in connected speech samples, and in lengthened vowels, at least 160 ms long produced during spontaneous speech. Results: f0 baseline, central tendency, and extreme values were found mostly discriminatory in intra-twin pairand cross-pair comparisons. These were also the estimates displaying the largest effect sizes. Overall, only three identical twins were found statistically different regarding their f0 patterns in connected speech, but not for lengthened vowel-based f0 metrics. Estimates off 0 variation and modulation were found the least discriminatory across speakers, which may signal the control of speaking style and dialect on dynamic patterns off 0. Concerning system performance, the base value off 0 (f0 baseline) was found the most reliable metric, displaying the lowest equal error rate (EER). Conclusions: the outcomes suggest that, although identical twins were very closely related regarding their f0 patterns, some pairs could still be differentiated acoustically, only in connected speech. Such findings reinforce the relevance of analyzing long-term f0 metrics for speaker comparison purposes, with particular consideration to f0 baseline. Furthermore, f0 differences across subjects were suggested as more expressive in connected speech than in lengthened vowels.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Dueppen, Abigail J., et al.
(författare)
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Suitability of English Language Internet-Based Information for Voice Disorders
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : MOSBY-ELSEVIER. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 34:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose. The study was aimed at assessing the suitability of English-language Internet health information related to vocal hygiene, vocal health, and prevention of voice disorders. We also examined the relation between suitability, readability, and quality of Internet health information.. Method. Suitability of 77 websites from Dueppen et al(9) was assessed using the Suitability Assessment of Materials tool. Information about readability and quality of the websites were extracted from Dueppen et al.(9) Results. The overall converted suitability percent score of all 77 websites was 66.4%, which represents "adequate" suitability. Individual websites were rated as superior (ie, 44.2%) adequate (ie, 51.9%), and not suitable (ie, 3.9%). No relation was found between website origin and the suitability ratings. The inter-rater reliability of the Suitability Assessment of Materials ratings for overall scale was found to be good. The suitability of websites had a moderate correlation with readability measures, but no significant correlation was observed between the suitability and quality of websites. Conclusions. The study results suggest that overall suitability of websites on vocal hygiene are adequate. However, many websites may require improvements in some elements (eg, literacy demand, graphics, and learning stimulation). Readability, quality, and suitability are important components in the accessibility of health information for people with different health conditions. Hence, improvements in these elements are expected to improve the understanding and actionability of people with voice issues.
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| 9. |
- Ekberg, Mattias, 1987-, et al.
(författare)
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Acoustic Features Distinguishing Emotions in Swedish Speech.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Few studies have examined which acoustic features of speech can be used to distinguish between different emotions, and how combinations of acoustic parameters contribute to identification of emotions. The aim of the present study was to investigate which acoustic parameters in Swedish speech are most important for differentiation between, and identification of, the emotions anger, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise in Swedish sentences. One-way ANOVAs were used to compare acoustic parameters between the emotions and both simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the contribution of different acoustic parameters to differentiation between emotions. Results showed differences between emotions for several acoustic parameters in Swedish speech: surprise was the most distinct emotion, with significant differences compared to the other emotions across a range of acoustic parameters, while anger and happiness did not differ from each other on any parameter. The logistic regression models showed that fear was the best-predicted emotion while happiness was most difficult to predict. Frequency- and spectral-balance-related parameters were best at predicting fear. Amplitude- and temporal-related parameters were most important for surprise, while a combination of frequency-, amplitude- and spectral balance-related parameters are important for sadness. Assuming that there are similarities between acoustic models and how listeners infer emotions in speech, results suggest that individuals with hearing loss, who lack abilities of frequency detection, may compared to normal hearing individuals have difficulties in identifying fear in Swedish speech. Since happiness and fear relied primarily on amplitude- and spectral-balance-related parameters, detection of them are probably facilitated more by hearing aid use.
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| 10. |
- Eriksson, Hedvig, et al.
(författare)
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Voice Outcomes Following Head-Lift Exercises in Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Study.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-4588. ; 37:2, s. 226-233
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This prospective randomized study aimed to investigate whether patients with dysphagia after treatment for head and neck cancer improve their vocal function from doing head lift exercises (Shaker's exercise).Patients were randomized into an intervention group (n=24) or a control group (n=26). Patients in the intervention group performed the head lift exercise three times a day for 8 weeks. At baseline and at follow-up after 8 weeks, participants' voices were evaluated perceptually with the Grade-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain (GRBAS) scale. Vocal fry (VF) was also perceptually evaluated and patients filled in the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).Patients in the intervention group were perceptually evaluated as having less roughness and vocal fry in their voices at follow-up compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant changes between baseline and follow-up neither in the intervention nor the control group regarding GRBAS, VF, or VHI. Neither were there any statistically significant differences within the groups when results on the perceptual evaluations at baseline and follow-up were compared.The voices of the participants in the intervention group were slightly better than the voices of the participants in the control group with less roughness and VF at follow-up. However, no improvement in the VHI or the remaining GRBAS variables was found. Therefore, this study can only give cautious support to the head lift exercise as a method for improving the voice of patients with dysphagia after treatment for head and neck cancer.
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| 11. |
- Fornhammar, L., et al.
(författare)
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Measuring Voice Effects of Vibrato-Free and Ingressive Singing : A Study of Phonation Threshold Pressures
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 36:4, s. 479-486
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), showing the lowest subglottal pressure producing vocal fold vibration, has been found useful for documenting various effects of phonatory conditions. The need for such documentation is relevant also to the teaching of singing, particularly in view of vocal demands raised in some contemporary as well as early music compositions. The aim of the present study was to test the usefulness of PTP measurement for evaluating phonatory effects of vibrato-free and ingressive singing in professional singers. Methods: PTP was measured at a middle, a high and a low pitch in two female and two male singers before and after recording voice range profiles (i) in habitual technique, ie, with vibrato, (ii) in vibrato-free, and (iii) in ingressive phonation. Effects on vocal fold status were examined by videolaryngostroboscopy. Results: After careful instruction of the singers, no problems were found in applying the PTP method. In some singers videolaryngostroboscopy showed effects after the experiment, eg, in terms of increased mucus and more complete glottal closure. After ingressive phonation PTP increased substantially at high pitch in one singer but changed marginally in the other singers. Conclusion: The method seems useful for assessing and interpreting effects of singing in different styles and as a part of voice diagnostics. Therefore, it seems worthwhile to automatize PTP measurement.
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| 12. |
- Gill, Brian P., et al.
(författare)
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Spectrum Effects of a Velopharyngeal Opening in Singing
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 34:3, s. 346-351
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The question whether or not a velopharyngeal opening is advantageous in singing has been discussed for a very long time among teachers of singing. The present investigation analyzes the acoustic consequences of a large, a narrow, and a nonexistent velopharyngeal opening (VPO). A divided flow mask (nasal and oral) connected to flow transducers recorded the nasal and oral DC flows in four female and four male classically trained singers while they sang vowel sequences at different pitches under these three experimental conditions. Acoustic effects were analyzed in three long-term average spectra parameters: (i) the sound level at the fundamental frequency, (ii) the level of the highest peak below 1 kHz, and (iii) the level of the highest peak in the 2–4 kHz region. For a narrow VPO, an increase in the level of the highest peak in the 2–4 kHz region was observed. As this peak is an essential voice component in the classical singing tradition, a narrow VPO seems beneficial in this type of singing.
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| 13. |
- Havel, Miriam, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of Nasalization on Vocal Tract Response Curve
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Earlier studies have shown that nasalization affects the radiated spectrum by modifying the vocal tract transfer function in a complex manner. Methods: Here we study this phenomenon by measuring sine-sweep response of 3-D models of the vowels /u, a, ᴂ, i/, derived from volumetric MR imaging, coupled by means of tubes of different lengths and diameters to a 3-D model of a nasal tract. Results: The coupling introduced a dip into the vocal tract transfer function. The dip frequency was close to the main resonance of the nasal tract, a result in agreement with the Fujimura & Lindqvist in vivo sweep tone measurements [Fujimura & Lindqvist, 1972]. With increasing size of the coupling tube the depth of the dip increased and the first formant peak either changed in frequency or was split by the dip. Only marginal effects were observed of the paranasal sinuses. For certain coupling tube sizes, the spectrum balance was changed, boosting the formant peaks in the 2 – 4 kHz range. Conclusion: A velopharyngeal opening introduces a dip in the transfer function at the main resonance of the nasal tract. Its depth increases with the area of the opening and its frequency rises in some vowels.
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| 14. |
- Hunter, Eric J., et al.
(författare)
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A Semiautomated Protocol Towards Quantifying Vocal Effort in Relation to Vocal Performance During a Vocal Loading Task
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To increase the reliability and comparability of vocal loading studies, this paper proposes the use of a standardized approach with experiments that are [1] grounded on consistent definitions of terms related to vocal fatigue (vocal effort, vocal demand, and vocal demand response), and [2] designed to reduce uncertainty and increase repeatability. In the approach, a semi-automated vocal loading task that also increases efficiencies in collecting and preparing vocal samples for analysis was used to answer the following research question: To what extent is vocal effort and vocal demand response sensitive to changes in vocal demands (ie, noise only, noise plus duration)? Results indicate that the proposed protocol design consistently induced change in both vocal effort and vocal demand response, indicating vocal fatigue. The efficacy of future vocal loading studies would be improved by adopting a more consistent methodology for quantifying vocal fatigue, thus increasing interstudy comparability of results and conclusions.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Körner Gustafsson, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
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Treatment of Hypophonia in Parkinson’s Disease Through Biofeedback in Daily Life Administered with A Portable Voice Accumulator
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 38:3, s. 800.e27-800.e38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the outcome following continuous tactile biofeedback of voice sound level administered, with a portable voice accumulator to individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodNine out of 16 participants with PD completed a 4-week intervention program where biofeedback of voice sound level was administered with the portable voice accumulator VoxLog during speech in daily life. The feedback, a tactile vibration signal from the device, was activated when the wearer used a voice sound level below an individually predetermined threshold level, reminding the wearer to increase voice sound level during speech. Voice use was registered in daily life with the VoxLog during the intervention period as well as during one baseline week, one follow-up week post intervention and 1 week 3 months post intervention. Self-to-other ratio (SOR), which is the difference between voice sound level and environmental noise, was studied in multiple noise ranges.ResultsA significant increase in SOR across all noise ranges of 2.28 dB (SD: 0.55) was seen for participants with scores above the cut-off for normal function (>26 points) on the cognitive screening test Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (n = 5). No significant increase was seen for the group of participants with MoCA scores below 26 (n = 4). Forty-four percent ended their participation early, all which scored below 26 on MoCA (n = 7).ConclusionsBiofeedback administered in daily life regarding voice level may help individuals with PD to increase their voice sound level in relation to environmental noise in daily life, but only for a limited subset. Only participants with normal cognitive function as screened by MoCA improved their voice sound level in relation to environmental noise.
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| 17. |
- Lã, F.M.B., et al.
(författare)
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Female Voice-Related Sexual Attractiveness to Males : Does it Vary With Different Degrees of Conception Likelihood?
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous investigations have found that female voice-related attractiveness to males increases when both conception likelihood (CL) and voice fundamental frequency (fo) are elevated. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a perceptual experiment where 78 heterosexual males rated sexual attractiveness of 9 female voice samples, recorded at menstrual, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle under two double-blinded randomly allocated conditions: a natural menstrual cycle (placebo condition) and when using an oral contraceptive pill (OCP condition). The voice samples yielded a total of 54 stimuli that were visually sorted and rated using Visor software. Concentrations of estrogens, progesterone and testosterone were analyzed, and measurements of speaking fundamental frequency (sfo) and its standard deviation (sfoSD), fo derivative (dfo) and fo slope were made. A multilevel ordinal logistic regression model nested in listeners and in females, and adjusted by phase and condition, was carried out to assess the association between ratings and: (1) phases and conditions; (2) sex steroid hormonal concentrations; and (3) voice parameters. A high probability of obtaining high ratings of voice sexual attractiveness was found for: (1) menstrual phase of placebo use and follicular phase of OCP use; (2) for low estradiol to progesterone ratio and testosterone concentrations; and (3) for low dfo. The latter showed a moderate statistical association with ratings of high attractiveness, as compared with the small association found for the remaining variables. It seems that the voice is a weak cue for female CL. Female sexual attraction to males may be a consequence of what females do in order to regulate their extended sexuality across the menstrual cycle rather than of estrus cues, the use of paralinguistic speech patterns being an example.
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| 18. |
- Lã, F.M.B., et al.
(författare)
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Long-Term Average Spectrum Characteristics of Portuguese Fado-Canção from Coimbra
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 37:4, s. 631.e7-631.e15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Descriptions of acoustical characteristics of Fado, a Portuguese urban style sung in Lisbon and Oporto, are scarce, particularly concerning Fado-Canção, a related style sung in Coimbra. The present study aims at describing long-term average spectrum (LTAS) parameters of 16 professional singers while singing and reading the lyrics of a typical Fado-Canção. LTAS parameters were investigated in terms of: (1) equivalent sound level (Leq); (2) spectral differences between 3 frequency bands 0–2, 2–5, and 5–8 kHz; and (3) quantification of spectral prominence between 2 and 4 kHz, calculated as the level difference between the peak in this frequency region and a reference trendline between 1 and 5 kHz, henceforth Formant Cluster Prominence (FCP). Given that Fado-Canção, besides Fado and traditional styles, originated also from classical singing, and that previous studies on Fado suggest the absence of a singer's formant cluster, the averaged LTAS for all Fado-Canção singers was further compared to the LTAS of two world-touring opera baritones singing an operatic aria and a lied. Results show that Fado-Canção is commonly sung with a Leq of 86.4 dB and a FCP of about 10 dB, values significantly higher when compared to reading. The FCP in Fado-Canção, although smaller than for the two classical opera singers’ examples (14.8 and 20 dB, respectively), suggests that the style preserved some of its original lyrical influence. However, because younger singers present higher energy in the 5–8 kHz region relative to the remaining frequency bands as compared to older singers, it seems that Fado-Canção may be drifting towards non-classical vocal practices. FCP seems to be a promising straightforward method to quantify the degree of formant clustering around the region of the singer's formant in LTAS, allowing comparisons between different singers and singing styles.
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| 19. |
- Millgård, Moa, et al.
(författare)
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Voice Quality in Laryngeal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study of the Effect of Voice Rehabilitation.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997. ; 34:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives The study aimed to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of voice rehabilitation in patients treated with radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer as measured by both the acoustic measure smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) and perceptual measures. A secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between acoustic and perceptual measures. Methods In total, 37 patients received voice rehabilitation post-radiotherapy and 37 patients constituted the irradiated control group. Outcome measures were mean CPPS for connected speech and ratings with the auditory-perceptual Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia and Strain (GRBAS) scale. Outcome measures were analyzed 1 (baseline), 6, 12, and 24 months post-radiotherapy, where voice rehabilitation was conducted between the first two time-points. Additional recordings were acquired from vocally healthy participants for comparison. Results CPPS values of the voice rehabilitation group and vocally healthy group were not significantly different at 24 months post-radiotherapy. Ten out of 19 patients who received voice rehabilitation yielded a CPPS value above the threshold for normal voice 24 months post-radiotherapy, compared to 11 out of 26 in the irradiated control group. No statistically significant correlations were found between CPPS and perceptual parameters of GRBAS. Conclusion Voice rehabilitation for irradiated laryngeal cancer patients may have positive effects on voice quality up to 24 months post-radiotherapy. The relationship between CPPS and GRBAS as well as the applicability of CPPS for evaluation over several points of measurement needs to be studied further.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Ohlsson, Ann-Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Potential Risk Factors and Prevalence of Voice Symptoms in Students Starting Their Teacher Education
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 35:2, s. 1-323
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence of voice problems and potential risk factors in teacher students at the start of their education. A total of 1494 students from seven teacher education schools participated in the study. The students answered a questionnaire about 11 risk factors, and one with six questions about voice symptoms, Screen6, and 30 statements in the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Students reporting at least 2 weekly voice symptoms in Screen6 were assigned to the group with voice problems. Significance level was P < 0.05. Results: prevalence of risk factors was about the same in the seven groups of teacher students except the group with highest proportion of women that also showed the highest proportion of voice problems, 38%. Prevalence of voice problems in the total group was 17%. Comparison of students with or without voice problems showed that all factors except one were more prevalent among students with voice problems and women were overrepresented. Mean total VHI score was 22 in students with voice problems and eight in students without voice problems. Multiple regression analyses showed that frequent throat infections, hearing problems, previous speech therapy, or voice training were the potential risk factors that had the strongest association with voice symptoms as well as with total score in VHI. Conclusions: results from this study show that it is common that teacher students experience voice problems already at the start of their education and potential risk factors associated with voice problems are identified. Knowing that teaching is a high-risk profession for developing voice disorders, it is crucial that teacher students should receive compulsory preprofessional voice education including voice ergonomics and voice training.
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| 23. |
- Ohlsson, Ann-Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Voice Therapy Outcome: A Comparison Between Imitation Model Voice Therapy and Verbal Instructions Model Voice Therapy
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The aim was to compare voice outcomes over time in patients treated with Imitation Model voice therapy and Verbal Instructions Model voice therapy. Methods: A prospective clinical trial was performed with 56 consecutive patients diagnosed with a primary or secondary functional voice disorder. Thirty-one patients were included for voice therapy following the Imitation Model and 25 patients for the Verbal Instructions Model. Assessments included a self-rated Voice Handicap Index, self-perceived hoarseness and vocal fatigue, perceptual voice evaluation by a Speech Language Pathologist, and maximum Voice Range Profiles. All assessments were completed before therapy, at end of therapy, at six-months posttherapy follow-up and 12-months posttherapy follow-up. For maximum Voice Range Profiles group differences were also compared for effects from end-of-treatment to follow-up assessments. Linear mixed models were used for analysis. Results: Comparison between treatment groups showed significantly larger long-term improvement from the baseline, for verbal instructions model as compared to imitation model for Voice Handicap Index total, and also the physical and emotional subscales, while there was no difference between groups for the functional subscale. Also, voice quality improved more after verbal instructions model, as compared to imitation model, at end of therapy. Results from self-rated hoarseness and vocal fatigue showed no difference between groups. There was no difference between treatment groups in the change of maximum Voice Range Profile from end-of-treatment to follow-up assessments. Conclusions: The study showed that both Imitation Model voice therapy and Verbal Instructions Model voice therapy improved voice function. Compared to Imitation Model, the Verbal Instructions model showed larger long-term effect on physical and emotional aspects of voice function in everyday life. The two approaches for voice therapy might have different impacts on patients’ learning. © 2022 The Voice Foundation
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| 24. |
- Ohlsson, Ann-Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Voice Therapy Outcome-A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Individual Voice Therapy, Therapy in Group, and Controls Without Therapy.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-4588. ; 34:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A stumbling-block in voice therapy is how the patient will be able to apply the new voice technique in everyday life. Possibly this generalization process could be facilitated by giving voice therapy in group because of the natural forum for training voice-to-speech early in communication between the patients in a group setting. The aim of the study was to compare treatment results from individual voice therapy and voice therapy in group, at several time points and in comparison to patients with no voice therapy.A randomized treatment study was performed with 77 consecutive patients diagnosed with a functional voice disorder. Thirty-one patients were randomized to individual and group therapy, respectively, and 15 patients to no therapy. The assessments included standardized voice recording and registration of voice range profile (VRP), answering Voice handicap index (VHI) and visual analogue scales for self-hoarseness and self-vocal fatigue, and perceptual voice evaluation by speech-language pathologist. The assessments were performed before, direct after therapy, and three months later in all groups. The 2 therapy groups were also assessed 12 months after therapy.All VHI scores as well as the self-ratings of hoarseness and vocal fatigue, and the perceptual evaluation of voice quality and maximum VRP improved significantly in both therapy groups 3 months after treatment and at 12 months follow-up. There were no significant changes in the control group, with the exception of decreased self-rated hoarseness and increased maximum VRP. Comparisons between treatment groups showed significant larger improvement after group therapy for VHI physical subscale at 12 months, as well as significant lower VHI total score at all measurement sessions and lower subscale scores at 12 months. There were no differences between treatment groups in self-hoarseness or self-vocal fatigue and no difference in perceptual voice quality or VRP. Comparison between controls and treatment groups showed significant larger change in treatment groups from baseline to three months in VHI total and to end of therapy in functional subscale. Treatment groups also showed significant lower scores than controls at each measurement session, for VHI total and physical subscale as well as lower degree of perceptual aberration of voice quality and vocal fatigue, at three months follow-up.This study shows long-term improvement from behavioral voice therapy, particularly in a group setting. The results indicate the importance of early transfer-to-speech and late posttherapy test to capture whether the goal of voice therapy was fulfilled or not for the patients.
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| 25. |
- Pabon, Peter, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Feature maps of the acoustic spectrum of the voice
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 34:1, s. 161.e1-161.e26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The change in the spectrum of sustained /a/ vowels was mapped over the voice range from low to high fundamental frequency and low to high sound pressure level (SPL), in the form of the so-called voice range profile (VRP). In each interval of one semitone and one decibel, narrowband spectra were averaged both within and across subjects. The subjects were groups of 7 male and 12 female singing students, as well as a group of 16 untrained female voices. For each individual and also for each group, pairs of VRP recordings were made, with stringent separation of the modal/chest and falsetto/head registers. Maps are presented of eight scalar metrics, each of which was chosen to quantify a particular feature of the voice spectrum, over fundamental frequency and SPL. Metrics 1 and 2 chart the role of the fundamental in relation to the rest of the spectrum. Metrics 3 and 4 are used to explore the role of resonances in relation to SPL. Metrics 5 and 6 address the distribution of high frequency energy, while metrics 7 and 8 seek to describe the distribution of energy at the low end of the voice spectrum.Several examples are observed of phenomena that are difficult to predict from linear source-filter theory, and of the voice source being less uniform over the voice range than is conventionally assumed. These include a high-frequency band-limiting at high SPL and an unexpected persistence of the second harmonic at low SPL. The two voice registers give rise to clearly different maps. Only a few effects of training were observed, in the low frequency end below 2 kHz. The results are of potential interest in voice analysis, voice synthesis and for new insights into the voice production mechanism.
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| 26. |
- Patel, R R, et al.
(författare)
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Glottal Airflow and Glottal Area Waveform Characteristics of Flow Phonation in Untrained Vocally Healthy Adults
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To examine flow phonation characteristics with regard to vocal fold vibration and voice source properties in vocally healthy adults using multimodality voice measurements across various phonation types (breathy, neutral, flow, and pressed) and loudness conditions (typical, loud, and soft). Participants and Methods: Vocal fold vibration, airflow, acoustic, and subglottal pressure was analyzed in 13 untrained voices (six female and seven male). Participants repeated the syllable / pæ:/ using breathy, neutral, flow, and pressed phonation during typical, loud, and soft loudness conditions. Glottal area (GA) waveforms were extracted from high-speed videoendoscopy; glottal flow was derived from inverse filtering the airflow or the audio signal; and subglottal pressure was measured as the intraoral pressure during /p/ occlusion. Results: Changes in phonation type and loudness conditions resulted in systematic variations across the relative peak closing velocity derived from the GA waveform for both males and females. Amplitude quotient derived from the flow glottogram varied across phonation types for males. Conclusion: Multimodality evaluation using the GA waveform and the inverse filtered waveforms revealed a complex pattern that varied as a function of phonation types and loudness conditions across males and females. Emerging findings from this study suggests that future large-scale studies should focus on spatial and temporal features of closing speed and closing duration for differentiating flow phonation from other phonation types in untrained adults with and without voice disorders.
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| 27. |
- Rosenberg, S., et al.
(författare)
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Kulning : Acoustic and Perceptual Characteristics of a Calling Style Used Within the Scandinavian Herding Tradition
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 38:3, s. 585-594
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Kulning, a loud, high-pitched vocal calling technique pertaining to the Scandinavian herding system, has attracted several researchers' attention, mainly focusing on cultural, phonatory and musical aspects. Less attention has been paid to the spectral and physiological properties that characterize Kulning tones, and also if there is a physiologically optimum pitch range. We analyzed tones produced by ten participants with varying experience in Kulning. They performed a phrase, pitch range G5 to C6 (784 to 1046 Hz), in three different conditions: starting (1) on pitch A5, (2) on the participant's preferred pitch, and (3) after the deepest possible inhalation, also on the participant's preferred pitch subglottal pressure (Psub) was measured as the oral pressure during /p/-occlusion. The quality of the Kulning was rated by a group of experts. The highest-rated tones all had a sound pressure level (SPL) at 0.3 m exceeding 115 dB and a pitch higher than 1010 Hz, while the SPL of the lowest rated tones was less than 108 dB at a pitch below 900 Hz. A multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the ratings and Psub), SPL, level of the fundamental and the frequency at which a spectrum envelope dip occurred. Highly rated tones were started at maximum lung volumes, and on participants’ preferred pitches. They all shared a high frequency of the spectrum envelope dip and a high level of the fundamental. In decreasing order of ratings, Condition 3 showed the highest values followed by Condition 2 and Condition 1. Each singer seemed to perform best within an individual Psub and pitch range. The relevance of the results to voice pedagogy, artistic, and compositional work is discussed.
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| 28. |
- Saldías, M., et al.
(författare)
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The Vocal Tract in Loud Twang-Like Singing While Producing High and Low Pitches
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 35:5, s. 807.e1-807.e23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Twang-like vocal qualities have been related to a megaphone-like shape of the vocal tract (epilaryngeal tube and pharyngeal narrowing, and a wider mouth opening), low-frequency spectral changes, and tighter and/or increased vocal fold adduction. Previous studies have focused mainly on loud and high-pitched singing, comfortable low-pitched spoken vowels, or are based on modeling and simulation. There is no data available related to twang-like voices in loud, low-pitched singing. Purpose: This study investigates the possible contribution of the lower and upper vocal tract configurations during loud twang-like singing on high and low pitches in a real subject. Methods: One male contemporary commercial music singer produced a sustained vowel [a:] in his habitual speaking pitch (B2) and loudness. The same vowel was also produced in a loud twang-like singing voice on high (G4) and low pitches (B2). Computerized tomography, acoustic analysis, inverse filtering, and audio-perceptual assessments were performed. Results: Both loud twang-like voices showed a megaphone-like shape of the vocal tract, being more notable on the low pitch. Also, low-frequency spectral changes, a peak of sound energy around 3 kHz and increased vocal fold adduction were found. Results agreed with audio-perceptual evaluation. Conclusions: Loud twang-like phonation seems to be mainly related to low-frequency spectral changes (under 2 kHz) and a more compact formant structure. Twang-like qualities seem to require different degrees of twang-related vocal tract adjustments while phonating in different pitches. A wider mouth opening, pharyngeal constriction, and epilaryngeal tube narrowing may be helpful strategies for maximum power transfer and improved vocal economy in loud contemporary commercial music singing and potentially in loud speech. Further studies should focus on vocal efficiency and vocal economy measurements using modeling and simulation, based on real-singers’ data.
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| 29. |
- Sidorova, Yulia, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Voice : A Methodological Commentary
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 36:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent research describes the effect of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) on voice, suggesting that it can be diagnosed based on vocal clues. Although these studies have similar experimental designs with respect to the voice data and the analysis methods, the conclusions regarding the voice changes differ substantially and are at times contradictory. This is unexpected, since the mechanism of pathological deterioration behind the observed changes is the same. This year in an article published in J. of Voice it was suggested that vocal changes may be different among ethnicities. Before this hypothesis can be accepted, the study protocols should be improved and unified, to ensure that the empirical evidence is reliable. Additionally, given the recently published data about the temporal voice changes as a result of glucose swings, we propose that the persons in hypo- and hyperglycemic conditions should be excluded from the experiment. Since no study succeeded in diabetes detection, it is timely to mention that there is an alternative methodology for disease detection from voice, which is far more sensitive than the state of the art procedure. We propose a script that is available from the first author on request. © 2020 The Voice Foundation
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
- Steurer, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Using Portable Voice Accumulators to Study Transfer of Speech Outcomes Following Intervention – A Feasibility Study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 38:4, s. 965.e1-965.e13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To evaluate the process and scientific feasibility of using a portable voice accumulator (PVA) to study carry-over of treatment effects on speech and voice in people with mild-moderate Parkinson's disease.Methods: The study was guided by the checklist in Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 statement: extension to randomized pilot and feasibility trials. Participants with Parkinson's disease were recruited within the context of a randomized controlled trial with random allocation to intervention with either HiCommunication, a program targeting speech and communication, or HiBalance, a program targeting balance and strength. Before and after intervention data was collected from standardized studio recordings of speech and registrations of voice use in daily life with the PVA VoxLog.Results: Fifteen participants were included in the study and sufficient data was yielded from six of them. Reasons for insufficient data included technical issues and difficulties handling the PVA. Changes in voice sound level from pre to post intervention differed at an individual level when assessed in daily life compared to studio recordings. Registrations in daily life provided information on phonation ratio and ability to adapt voice sound level to environmental noise.Conclusion: This study highlights the challenges of studying intervention effects on voice use in daily life using a PVA. Improvements of test protocols in future studies are suggested. We exemplify how PVA data may generate a more detailed and ecologically valid picture of voice use complementing studio recordings of speech. Finally, we encourage technical development of more user-friendly PVAs.
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| 32. |
- Sundberg, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Analyzing Emotion Expression in Singing via Flow Glottograms, Long-Term-Average Spectra, and Expert Listener Evaluation
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 35:1, s. 52-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Acoustic aspects of emotional expressivity in speech have been analyzed extensively during recent decades. Emotional coloring is an important if not the most important property of sung performance, and therefore strictly controlled. Hence, emotional expressivity in singing may promote a deeper insight into vocal signaling of emotions. Furthermore, physiological voice source parameters can be assumed to facilitate the understanding of acoustical characteristics. Method: Three highly experienced professional male singers sang scales on the vowel /ae/ or /a/ in 10 emotional colors (Neutral, Sadness, Tender, Calm, Joy, Contempt, Fear, Pride, Love, Arousal, and Anger). Sixteen voice experts classified the scales in a forced-choice listening test, and the result was compared with long-term-average spectrum (LTAS) parameters and with voice source parameters, derived from flow glottograms (FLOGG) that were obtained from inverse filtering the audio signal. Results: On the basis of component analysis, the emotions could be grouped into four “families”, Anger-Contempt, Joy-Love-Pride, Calm-Tender-Neutral and Sad-Fear. Recognition of the intended emotion families by listeners reached accuracy levels far beyond chance level. For the LTAS and FLOGG parameters, vocal loudness had a paramount influence on all. Also after partialing out this factor, some significant correlations were found between FLOGG and LTAS parameters. These parameters could be sorted into groups that were associated with the emotion families. Conclusions: (i) Both LTAS and FLOGG parameters varied significantly with the enactment intentions of the singers. (ii) Some aspects of the voice source are reflected in LTAS parameters. (iii) LTAS parameters affect listener judgment of the enacted emotions and the accuracy of the intended emotional coloring.
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| 33. |
- Sundberg, Johan
(författare)
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Objective Characterization of Phonation Type Using Amplitude of Flow Glottogram Pulse and of Voice Source Fundamental
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Mosby Inc.. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Phonation type, a phonatory dimension ranging from hypofunctional/breathy to hyperfunctional/pressed, is important both from a clinical and acoustical point of view; hyperfunctional voice can lead to voice disorders and hypofunctional voice reduces text intelligibility. Five male singers sang diminuendo sequences of the syllable /pae/ and three of them also produced speech or singing samples with different phonation types which were rated for phonatory pressedness by a panel of voice experts. The sequences were analyzed by inverse filtering and the associated subglottal pressures were estimated as the oral pressures during the /p/ occlusion. The results showed strong quasi-linear correlations between the peak-to-peak amplitude of the flow glottogram (henceforth pulse amplitude) and mean subglottal pressure, mean airflow, and the level difference between the first and second voice source partials L1–L2. These correlations were found to vary systematically with phonation type. Regardless of phonation type, the correlation between the pulse amplitude and the amplitude of the voice source fundamental frequency was very close to 1.0. The level difference between the first and second spectrum partials L1–L2 in narrow-band long-term-average spectra of speech and singing was found to vary systematically with phonation type in a manner related to voice experts’ ratings of perceived degree of pressedness. The findings support the assumption that the combination of subglottal pressure and level of the voice source fundamental is useful for an objective measure of phonation type.
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| 34. |
- Ternström, Sten, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of the lung volume on the electroglottographic waveform in trained female singers
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588. ; 34:3, s. 485.e1-485.e21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To determine if in singing there is an effect of lung volume on the electroglottographic waveform, and if so, how it varies over the voice range. Study design: Eight trained female singers sang the tune “Frère Jacques” in 18 conditions: three phonetic contexts, three dynamic levels, and high or low lung volume. Conditions were randomized and replicated. Methods: The audio and EGG signals were recorded in synchrony with signals tracking respiration and vertical larynx position. The first 10 Fourier descriptors of every EGG cycle were computed. These spectral data were clustered statistically, and the clusters were mapped by color into a voice range profile display, thus visualizing the EGG waveform changes under the influence of fo and SPL. The rank correlations and effect sizes of the relationships between relative lung volume and several adduction-related EGG wave shape metrics were similarly rendered on a color scale, in voice range profile-style ʻvoice maps.ʼ Results: In most subjects, EGG waveforms varied considerably over the voice range. Within subjects, reproducibility was high, not only across the replications, but also across the phonetic contexts. The EGG waveforms were quite individual, as was the nature of the EGG shape variation across the range. EGG metrics were significantly correlated to changes in lung volume, in parts of the range of the song, and in most subjects. However, the effect sizes of the relative lung volume were generally much smaller than the effects of fo and SPL, and the relationships always varied, even changing polarity from one part of the range to another. Conclusions: Most subjects exhibited small, reproducible effects of the relative lung volume on the EGG waveform. Some hypothesized influences of tracheal pull were seen, mostly at the lowest SPLs. The effects were however highly variable, both across the moderately wide fo-SPL range and across subjects. Different singers may be applying different techniques and compensatory behaviors with changing lung volume. The outcomes emphasize the importance of making observations over a substantial part of the voice range, and not only of phonations sustained at a few fundamental frequencies and sound levels.
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| 35. |
- Theorell, Töres, et al.
(författare)
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Choir singers without rehearsals and concerts? : A questionnaire study on perceived losses from restricting choral singing during the covid-19 pandemic.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Choir singing is an activity that engages individuals all over the world with a broad demographic representation. Both qualitative and quantitative studies have examined the benefits of the activity but very few have examined the effects when someone loses access to it and stops singing.Objectives Examining the governmental and organisational responses precipitated by the COVID 19- pandemic, we asked what happens when a choir singer loses all of their routines associated with regular participation in choir singing. Materials and Methods One national choir organization in Sweden (n= 3163) and one in Norway (n=1881) were approached with a short survey. This comprised questions relating to the issue “what do you as a choir singer miss the most?” Each participant was asked to rate the importance of a number of elements that pertain to the experience of choir singing. Results The social aspect of singing emerged as having the strongest weight in terms of perceived loss i.e. it was the element that the participants missed the most. Professional singers report that they miss the aesthetic experiences, flow, and all the physical aspects (physical training, voice training and breathing training) to a greater degree as compared to reports from the amateurs. The importance of aesthetic experiences and physical components appeared to rise with increasing number of years that an individual had engaged with choir singing. Conclusion In the Scandinavian setting, the social aspect has a stronger weight than the other components and this seemed to be more significant in Norway compared to Sweden
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| 36. |
- Whitling, Susanna, et al.
(författare)
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Degree of Breathiness in a Synthesized Voice Signal as it Differentiates Masculine versus Feminine Voices
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - 0892-1997.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Most studies determining speakers’ perceived gender as binarily female or male are reliant on F0 perception, although other vocal parameters may also contribute to the perception of gender. The current study focused on the impact of breathiness on the perception of speakers’ gender as a biological variable (feminine or masculine). Methods: n = 31 normal hearing, native English speakers, 18 female, 13 male, mean age 23 (SD = 3.54), were auditorily and visually trained in and then took part in a categorical perception task. A continuum of nine samples of the word “hello”, was created in an airway modulation model of speech and voice production. Resting vocal fold length, resting vocal fold thickness, F0, and vocal tract length were fixed. Glottal width at the vocal process, posterior glottal gap, and bronchial pressure were continually modified for all stimuli. Each stimulus was randomly presented 30 times within each of the five blocks (150 presentations in total). Participants rated stimuli as binarily female or male. Results: Showed a sigmoidal shift in breathiness along the continuum between perceived feminine or masculine voicing. This shift was evident at stimuli four and five, indicating a nonlinear, discrete perception of breathiness among participants. Response times were also significantly slower in these two stimuli, suggesting a categorical perception of breathiness among participants. Conclusion: Breathiness created by the change in glottal width of at least 0.21 cm may influence the perception of a speaker's perceived gender.
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| 37. |
- Włodarczak, Marcin, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Classification of voice quality using neck-surface acceleration : Comparison with glottal flow and radiated sound
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Voice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-1997 .- 1873-4588.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate the usefulness of features extracted from miniature accelerometers attached to speaker's tracheal wall below the glottis for classification of phonation type. The performance of the accelerometer features is evaluated relative to features obtained from inverse filtered and radiated sound. While the former is a good proxy for the voice source, obtaining robust voice source features from the latter is considered difficult since it also contains information about the vocal tract filter. By contrast, the accelerometer signal is largely unaffected by the vocal tract and although it is shaped by subglottal resonances and the transfer properties of the neck tissue, these properties remain constant within a speaker. For this reason, we expect it to provide a better approximation of the voice source than the raw audio. We also investigate which aspects of the voice source are derivable from the accelerometer and microphone signals. Methods: Five trained singers (two females and three males) were recorded producing the syllable [pæ:] in three voice qualities (neutral, breathy and pressed) and at three pitch levels as determined by the participants’ personal preference. Features extracted from the three signals were used for classification of phonation type using a random forest classifier. In addition, accelerometer and microphone features with highest correlation with the voice source features were identified. Results: The three signals showed comparable classification error rates, with considerable differences across speakers both with respect to the overall performance and the importance of individual features. The speaker-specific differences notwithstanding, variation of phonation type had consistent effects on the voice source, accelerometer and audio signals. With regard to the voice source, AQ, NAQ, L1L2 and CQ all showed a monotonic variation along the breathy – neutral – pressed continuum. Several features were also found to vary systematically in the accelerometer and audio signals: HRF, L1L2 and CPPS (both the accelerometer and the audio), as well as the sound level (for the audio). The random forest analysis revealed that all of these features were also among the most important for the classification of voice quality. Conclusion: Both the accelerometer and the audio signals were found to discriminate between phonation types with an accuracy approaching that of the voice source. Thus, the accelerometer signal, which is largely uncontaminated by vocal tract resonances, offered no advantage over the signal collected with a normal microphone.
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