• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2012

The purposes of this paper is to study the characteristics of compared to the speakers voice without depression and speakers with depression, and to propose a objective method for the measurement of the therapeutic effects as well as for diagnostics of depression based on the characteristics. The voice samples obtained from 11 female speakers with depression, aged from 20 to 40, diagnosed as having major depressive disorder by an psychiatrist were compared with those from 12 normal controls with matched sex, age, height, weight, education, smoking, and drinking. The voice samples are taken by a portable digital recorder(TASCAM DR-07, Japan) and analysed using the MDVP(Multi-Dimentional Voice Program) software module from CSL(Computerized Speech Lab, kay elemetrics, co, model 4100). The result of the investigation are as following. First, the average speaking fundamental frequency and loudness range of the speakers with depression group was statistically significantly lower than that of the control group. The pitch range of the control group was rather higher than that of the speakers with depression group, but without statistical significance. Overall speech rates have no statistical difference between two groups. Second, the average speaking fundamental frequency and loudness range have statistically significant negative correlation with Beck Depression Inventory, i. e. more severe depression exhibits lower average speaking fundamental frequency and loudness range. Other vocal parameters such as pitch range and overall speech rate have no statistically meaningful correlations with Beck Depression Inventory.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.149-155
• /
• 2011

The purpose of the present study was to identify the differences in GRBAS scales between vocal sample types (sustained vowels and connected speech) for specific laryngeal conditions (vocal nodules, vocal polyps and vocal paralysis) and the relations between GRBAS scale and Shimmer value in each vocal sample type. In this study, the total of 60 voice samples of 30 patients (10 vocal nodules, 10 vocal polyps, 10 vocal paralysis) were examined and MDVP (Multi-dimensional Voice Program) was used to analyze Shimmer value. Three listeners rated two types of samples which were sorted randomly based on GRBAS scale. Three-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and paired t-test were used. The outcome of this study was as follow. 1) GRBAS scales varied in vocal sample types. Listeners tended to assess voices as better quality when they listened connected speech rather than sustained vowels. 2) G score of GRBAS and Shimmer were positively correlated with statistical significance. This results show that 1) vocal specialists should consider the sample types in evaluating the severity of voice problem and 2) G score could be a simple and clear method.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between subjective and objective evaluation in speakers with voice disorders. Subjective evaluation indicates the self-reports of voice problems by dysphonic speakers. The relating protocol is the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the self-awareness index of voice problems (SAIVP-14). A total of 48 individuals with voice disorders replied to the questionnaire and participated in a voice assessment. Objective evaluations included the perceptual judgement of G grade in GRBAS, acoustic measurements (jitter, shimmer, NHR) by MDVP (CSL 4400), and aerodynamic measurements (MPT, MFR, psub) by PAS (Phonatory Aerodynamic System, KayPentax, USA). Pearson and Spearman correlations were used for the analysis. In the correlation with perceptual judgement (G grade) and VHI-Total, VHI-Physical, and SAIVP-14, there was a significant correlation, but the overall correlation was poor. NHR, jitter, and shimmer were significantly correlated with overall VHI and SAIVP-14. Specifically, the correlation with shimmer was stronger compared to the other measurements. In aerodynamic measures, MFR and MPT showed a significant correlation with VHI-Total, VHI-Emotional, and SAIVP-14, but their correlation was poor. The results of this study suggested that subjective evaluation of self voice problems is meaningfully correlated with objective evaluations, but more data in the multidimensional voice assessment should be collected and analyzed for the reliability and validity of the voice handicap questionnaire.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2013

During adolescence the mutational period is characterized by the changes in the laryngeal structure, the length of the vocal cords, and a tone of voice. Usually, adolescents at 15 or 16 reach the voice of adults but the mutational period is sometimes delayed. Therefore, studies on the voice of adolescents between 16 ~ 18 right after the mutational period are required. Accordingly, this paper attempted to provide basic data about the normal standard for patients with voice disorders during this period by evaluating the vocal characteristics of males and females between 16 ~ 18 with an objective device bycomparing and analyzing them by sex and age. The study was conducted on a total of 60 subjects composed of each 10 subjects of each age. The vocal analysis was conducted by MPT (Maximum Phonation Time) measurement, sustained vowels and sentence reading. As for /a/ sustained vowels, fundamental frequency, hereinafter referred to as $F_0$, jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, hereinafter referred to as NHR were measured by using the Multi-dimensional voice program (MDVP) among the Multi-Speech program of Computerized Speech Lab (Kay Elemetrics). The sentence reading, mean $F_0$, maximum $F_0$ and minimum $F_0$ were measured using the Real-Time Pitch (RTP) Model 5121 among the Multi-Speech program of Computerized Speech Lab (Kay Elemetrics). As a result, according to sex, there were statistically significant differences in $F_0$, jitter, shimmer, mean $F_0$, maximum $F_0$, and minimum $F_0$; and according to age, there were statistically significant differences in MPT. In conclusion, the voice of the adolescents between 16 ~ 18 reached the maturity levels of adults but the voice quality which can be considered on the scale of voice disorders showed transition to the voice of an adult during the mutational period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.12-19
• /
• 2000

Background and Objectives : Dysphonia may be secondary to many different type of benign vocal cord lesions such as vocal polyp, vocal nodule, Reinke's edema, and intracordal cyst. Diagnosis and treatment of intracordal cysts are more difficult than other benign vocal cord lesions. But postoperative voice analysis of intracordal cyst have rarely been reported in the literature. The purpose of this study is to analyze aerodynamic and acoustic results and videostroboscopic findings before and after laryngomicrosurgery. Materials and Methods : We reviewed the pre and post-operative voice analysis results and videostroboscopic findings of 15 surgically treated patients of intracordal cysts at Severance hospital from Jun. 1997 to Nov. 1999 retrospectively. They were diagnosed with videostroboscopic findings, surgical findings, and pathologic reports. Their pre and post-operative speech were analyzed with MDVP(Multi Dimension Voice Analysis Program) of CSL(Computerized Speech Lab) and Aerophone II. Their pre and post-operative mucosal wave of true vocal cord was analyzed with videostroboscopy. In order to compare this results with normal group, 10 of normal persons were evaluated with same methods. Results : After the operation, mucosal wave of true vocal cord was improved in all patients. Postoperative acoustic and aerodynamic results were improved in almost parameters, but they did not reach the normal value. Conclusions : Videostroboscopy was essential in diagnosing intracordal cysts. By comparing the acoustic and aerodynamic results and video-stroboscopic findings before and after the laryngomicrosurgery, postoperative vocal function was defined more accurately and objectively. Almost parameters may be useful in assessing the quantitative changes in vocal quality before and after the laryngomicrosurgery.

• Speech Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.131-141
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to find out the acoustic variation on the pre-and post respiration and oral motor for children with cerebral palsy. Five children with spastic CP at the age of 6 in average were practiced by a caregiver at home each for 25 minutes, in total, 45 times. The sustained of vowel /a/ and vowels /a/, /i/, /u/, /e/, /o/ were recorded on CSL and MDVP and analyzed by acoustic parameters. As a result, the maximum phonation time(MPT) was increased from 2.06 to 6.31 and the formant of vowels(F1, F2, F3) had significant differences in F1(/a, i/), F2(/i.u.o/), and F3(/a/) between the controls and the children with CP in pre-treatment. The total average value of vowels had significant differences between the pre-and post-treatment (p< .05). The energy of vowels had significant differences in the vowels /i, u, e, o/ and the total average value between the pre-and post-treatment(p< .001). The jitter percent, shimmer percent, and noise to harmonic ratio had significant differences between the pre-and post-treatment(p< .05). As the respiration and the oral motor improved MPT, voice quality, and articulation of vowel, and the variation of the formant(F1, F2, F3) showed the changes in the shape of lips, the place and the height of the tongue, the various development of therapy programs and the consistent intervention of treatment is needed for the children with cerebral palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.104-111
• /
• 2015

Background and Objectives : Acoustic analysis of voice could be influenced so much by the quality of voice files which were recorded by recording device. In clinical practice, voice files that were recorded by analysis program directly or portable digital recording device were analyzed mostly. This study examined the feasibility of using Galaxy smartphone recordings for acoustic analysis of voice. Materials and Methods : Acoustic measures were compared between voice signals recorded from 30 normal speakers (15 males and 15 females) through Galaxy smartphone, portable digital recording device and CSL. Fo, jitter, shimmer, NHR (Noise-Harmony ratio) and Formant frequencies were analyzed by MDVP. Results : Fo, Jitter, Shimmer, NHR and formant frequencies from 3 devices were no significantly difference. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was higher between each of the voice perturbation measures. Conclusion : The findings indicated that Galaxy smartphone recording system was useful device for acoustic analysis of voice. Furthermore, Galaxy smartphone can be applied widely in various way for acoustic analysis of voice.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.16-23
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects postural changes on respiratory muscles and acoustic parameters of the children with spastic cerebral palsy. Nine children with spastic cerebral palsy who required assistance when walking were selected. The ages of the children ranged from 6 to 9 years old. The phonation of the sustained vowel /a/ and the voice qualities of each child such as fundamental frequency($F_0$; Hz), pitch variation (Jitter; %), amplitude variation (Shimmer; %) and noise to harmonic ratio (NHR) were analyzed by Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP). The muscle activity of three major respiratory muscles: pectoralis major muscle, upper trapezius muscle and rectus abdorminalis muscle, were measured by examining the root mean square (RMS) of the surface EMG to investigate the impact of changes in the adjusted sitting posture of each subject. However, the RMS of pectoralis major muscle showed a significant differences (p<.05). Secondly, there were no significant differences in $F_0$, Jitter and Shimmer between pre and post posture change, but there was a significant difference in NHR (p<.05). The data were collected in each individual; once prior and once after the sitting posture change. The data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed ranks-test using SPSS version 14.0 for Windows. The findings of this study were as follows; Firstly, the RMS of upper trapezius and rectus abdorminalis muscle were not significant different between pre and post sitting posture changes. From the result, it is concluded that changes in the adjusted sitting posture decreases the abnormal respiratory patterns in the children with spastic cerebral palsy which is characterized by the hyperactivity of the respiratory muscles in breathing. Also, there is increased on the voice qualities in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

• Speech Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.87-98
• /
• 2001

Vocal nodule is one of the representative chronic diseases of vocal folds, and it can be cured by surgical removal or voice therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the accent method, one of the popular effective voice therapy, in the patients with vocal nodule. Authors executed the accent method in 17 patients with vocal nodule who visited the Voice & Speech Therapy Clinic, Pusan National University Hospital analysed the voice before and after treatment using the local findings, acoustic analysis and aerodynamic analysis MPT. The voice was analysed with MDVP of CSL and MPT was checked using stop watch. The parameters included Fo, Jitter, Shimmer and noise to harmonic ratio(NHR) as acoustic analysis. The results were obtained as follows. In the evaluation by the local findings, it was improved to 77% in the patients of vocal nodule. Jitter and Shimmer were shown to be improved significantly. In particular, it was shown to be improved significantly in patients with vocal nodule. As the result of this study, the improvement of aerodynamic aspect was more statistically significant than that of acoustic parameters. When I generalized the above mentioned results, we suggest that it is a useful voice therapy which can be helpful to the improvement of voice, applying the accent method to the vocal nodule patients, and there are currently many methods to be used in the voice therapy, but it is thought which the accent method is the good treatment as the alternatives of keeping the continuous medical treatment.

• Speech Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.179-192
• /
• 2002

Our present study was performed to investigate acoustically the Korean normal adults' voices, with enough large number of subjects to be reliable. 120 Korean normal adults (60 males and 60 females) of the age of 20 to 39 years produced sustained three vowels, /a/, /i/, and /u/ and read a part of 'Taking a Walk' paragraph, and by analyzing them acoustically with MDVP of CSL, we could get the fundamental frequency ($F_{0}$), jitter, shimmer and NHR of sustained vowels: speaking fundamental frequency ($SF_{0}$), highest speaking frequency (SFhi), lowest speaking frequency (SFlo) of continuous speech. As results, on the average, male voices showed 118.1$\sim$122.6 Hz in $F_{0}$, 0.467$\sim$0.659% in jitter, 1.538$\sim$2.674% in shimmer, 0.117$\sim$0.114 in NHR, 120.8 Hz in $SF_{0}$, 183.2 Hz in SFhi, 82.6 Hz in SFlo. And, female voices showed 211.6∼220.3 Hz in F0, 0.678∼0.935% in jitter, 1.478∼2.582% in shimmer, 0.098∼0.114 in NHR, 217.1 Hz in $SF_{0}$, 340.9 Hz in SFhi, 136.0 Hz in SFlo. Among the 7 parameters, every parameters except shimmer showed the significant difference between male and female voices. And, when we compared the three vowels, they showed significant differences one another in shimmer and NHR of both genders, but not in $F_{0}$ of males and jitter of females.