• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.105-117
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to (1) establish a Korean adult normative database for phonatory aerodynamic measures obtained with the KayPENTAX Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS) Model 6600, (2) investigate the intra-subject reliability of these measures across three testing sessions, and (3) examine the effect of gender on those measures. 170 healthy normal speakers (70 men and 100 women) between the ages 18 and 49 years participated in the study. The PAS protocol of maximum phonation and voicing efficiency were conducted and 25 measures were obtained. All aerodynamic measures taken in this study demonstrated high intra-subject reliability in clinical aspect. There were no significant effect of gender in the measures related to sound pressure and subglottal pressure. However, significant differences for gender were found for phonation time, airflow rate, expiratory volume, aerodynamic power, SPL range, pitch range, mean pitch, aerodynamic resistance, and aerodynamic efficiency. Clinicians should be aware of significant gender effects in some aerodynamic parameters when interpreting the data obtained from PAS.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.93-99
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• 2015

In case of PAS test, the air is sometimes leaked although the mask is tightly attached to the face, which is not reliable on the measured values. Therefore, this study aimed to assist the clinical practice suggesting the test method of PAS without air leakage. In the healthy subjects with 12 males and 12 females over 19 years old, three types of tests were performed on the voicing efficiency among the protocol of PAS Model 6600. They are; first, to attach the mask tightly to the face holding the handle of PAS with the subject's two hands (Method 1); second, to attach the mask tightly to the face holding the handle of PAS with the subject's one hand and pushing the body of PAS strongly with the other hand (Method 2); and third, to attach the mask tightly to the face pushing the upper part of the mask by the tester when the subject attached the mask to his or her face holding the handle of PAS with two hands (Method 3). Upon the study analyses, the mean negative pressure, the mean phonogram, subglottic air pressure, and voicing efficiency were shown to be statistically significantly different during PAS test in males depending on the methods. (p<.05) In case of females, only the target airflow rate showed significant difference depending on the methods during PAS test. (p<.001) In conclusion, Method 2 enhanced the noise level and strength while Method 1 was likely to leak the air more compared to the other two methods in males. In case of females, Method 1 showed significant leakage of the air flow. Not to allow the air flow leakage without affecting the outcome of PAS test, it will be the most useful for the tester to push the mask to the subject's face tightly (Method 3).

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.57-62
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• 2014

The present study was performed to investigate and discuss the aerodynamic characteristics of whispered and normal speech during reading paragraph tasks. 39 normal females(18-23 yrs.) read 'Autumn' paragraph with whispered and normal phonation. Their readings were recorded and analyzed by 'Running Speech' in Phonatory Aerodynamic System(PAS) instrument. As results, during whispered speech, the total duration was longer and the numbers of inspiration were more frequently shown than normal speech. The Peak expiratory and inspiratory rate were higher in normal speech, but the expiratory and inspiratory volume were higher in whispered speech. By correlation analysis, both whispered and normal speech showed significantly high correlation between total duration and expiratory/inspiratory airflow duration; numbers of inspiration and inspiratory airflow duration; expiratory and inspiratory volume. These results show that whispered speech needs more respiratory effort but shows poorer aerodynamic efficacy during phonation than normal speech.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.109-116
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• 2019

This study was conducted to identify the characteristics of pauses and breath groups made by normal adults and patients with voice disorders while reading a paragraph. Forty normal female adults and forty female patients with a functional voice disorder (18-45 yrs.) read the "Gaeul" paragraph with the "Running Speech" protocol of the Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS), by which the pauses with or without inspiration and between or within syntactic words and breath groups were analyzed. The number of pauses with inspiration was found to be higher in the patient group, but the number of pauses without inspiration was higher in the normal group. The rate of syntactic word boundaries with pauses with inspiration was higher in the patient group, while the number of syllables per breath group was higher in the normal group. As these results can be explained by patients' poor breath support due to glottal insufficiency, the question of whether voice disorder patients use their pauses and breath groups properly should be considered carefully in evaluation and intervention.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.61-69
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• 2023

Sulcus vocalis is characterized by incomplete closure of the vocal folds, with a high mean airflow rate (MFR) as a distinctive feature. The MFR is measured using two aerodynamic analysis methods [the maximum sustained phonation protocol (MXPH) and voicing efficiency protocol (VOEF)] of the phonatory aerodynamic system (PAS), and the results may vary depending on the method. This study compared the differences in MFR before and after treatment (microsurgery and voice therapy) according to the MXPH and VOEF of the PAS in 30 patients with sulcus vocalis. Additionally, we examined whether there were differences in the subjective voice evaluation (voice handicap index, VHI), perceptual voice evaluation (GRBS), and fundamental frequency (F0) before and after treatment. The results showed significant differences between the two methods, both before and after treatment, in patients with sulcus vocalis. However, there were no significant differences by methods in the changes before and after treatment. The VHI and GRBS scores significantly decreased after treatment; however, F0 showed no significant differences before and after treatment. This study indicates that when evaluating MFR changes in patients with sulcus vocalis, it is acceptable to use either aerodynamic analysis (MXPH or VOEF).

• Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.135-146
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• 2008

Breath group generally refers to one of units of speech production. It is an integral component of structural and contextual features of utterances with some responsibility for fluctuations in speech intelligibility. The purpose of this study was to know the characteristics of breath group in reading passages spoken by healthy speakers, specifically in view of aerodynamic aspects. Eighteen female speakers aged from 20 to 30 years old without communication problems and in healthy condition were participated in this study. PAS (Phonatory Aerodynamic System) was used for aerodynamic measurement of breath group. Results showed that the mean value of breath group in reading tasks was 16.03 per minute (SD=3.1), and the spoken syllables per one breath group were 17.95. And the mean time (m) of breath group was 3.06 (SD=0.62), and the ratio of exhalation and inhalation was appeared in the 1:5. The results need to be discussed in values of normality of breath group and clinical viewpoint, especially their potential implication from speech intelligibility caused by brain damage.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.721-727
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• 2013

This study sought to compare the difference of Phonation Threshold Pressure and Nasalance according to vowels. We tested 28 normal females(20~30age) who be in attendance at a school from May to August 2012. We measured Phonation Threshold Pressure through PAS(Phonatory aerodynamic system, model 6600, KAY electronics, Inc) that aero-mechanical instrument called. Phonation Threshold Pressure was measured by using the consonant /p/ and the three vowels /a, i, u/ and was analyzed the three times of Phonation the five times. Also We measured Nasalance through the Nasometer${\Pi}$(model 6450, KAY electronics, Inc). The vowel's phonation was recored by using the three vowels /a, i, u/. the nasalance score was measured via Nasometer. As a Result, Phonation Threshold Pressure according to three vowels show significantly difference. Also, Nasalance according to three vowels show significantly difference. Finally, Correlation coefficient of Phonation Threshold Pressure and Nasalance according to three vowels show positive relation ship. Therefore Phonation Threshold Pressure and Nasalance according to three vowels have closely relationship.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.195-203
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phonation types ([+/- aspirated], [+/- fortis]) on aerodynamic measures with Korean bilabial stops. Sixty-three healthy young adults (30 males, 33 females) participated to evaluate the VOEF (Voicing Efficiency) tasks with bilabial stop consonants /$p^h$/, /p/, /p'/ using Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS) Model 6600 (Kay PENTAX Corp, Lincoln Park, NJ). All VOEF measures were significantly influenced by phonation types except RANP(pitch range)(p <.01). For sound pressure, maximum SPL, mean SPL, and Mean SPL during Voicing have been shown to be significantly greatest in fortis stop /p'/ than aspirated /$p^h$/ and lenis stop /p/ (p<.001). On the other hand, mean pitch after lenis stop was significantly lower than after aspirated and fortis stops (p<.001). Peak expiratory airflow, Target airflow, and FVC (Expiratory volume) were significantly lowest in fortis stop /p'/ which might be associated with higher aerodynamic resistance while peak air pressure and mean peak air pressure during closure were significantly lower in lenis stop /p/. Additionally, AEFF (Aerodynamic efficiency) was significantly higher in fortis stop /p'/ than lenis stop /p/ as well as aspirated stop /$p^h$/ (p<.001). Thus, sound pressure, airflow parameters, and aerodynamic resistance made crucial roles in distinguishing fortis /p'/ from lenis stop /p/ and aspirated. Additionally, pitch and subglottal air pressure parameters were important aerodynamic characteristics in distinguishing lenis /p/ from fortis /p'/ and aspirated /$p^h$/. Therefore, accurate aspirated /p/ stop consonant should be elicited when collecting the airflow, intraoral pressure related data with patients with voice disorders in order to enhance the reliability and relevance or validity of aerodynamic measures using PAS.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2013

This study attempted to investigate the characteristics of Phonation Threshold Pressure and Phonation Threshold Airflow of Patients who have Functional voice disorder. 50 subjects participated in study (32 subjects were patients who had functional voice disorders and 20 subjects were normal adults). The PAS (Phonatory aerodynamic system, model 6600, KAY electronics, Inc.) was used to measure the data and to do the analysis. Data from the Phonation Threshold Pressure was measured using voicing efficiency of the PAS protocol. Data from the Phonation Threshold Airflow was measured using Maximum Sustained Phonation of the PAS protocol. Those were used because of the ease of phonation. The results of this study showed that the differences in Phonation Threshold Pressure and Phonation Threshold Airflow between patients who had functional voice disorder and normal adults could be significant index. Patients who had functional voice disorder showed more higher figures than normal adults. These results suggest that Phonation Threshold Pressure and Phonation Threshold Airflow are very useful in diagnosing the voice disorder. The measured data also provided useful information for diagnosing patients with vocal fold diseases.

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