• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2001

Background and Objectives : A post-pubescent male classical singer has lower vocal register than a female classical singer. Countertenors who can produce higher vocal register like female classical singers with their falsetto voice and head resonance are recently active. The general purpose of this study is to analyze voice of countertenors and to determine the differences with those of classical singers. Materials and Methods : Four countertenors in Korea were examined using a videostrobos-copy and their voice were analyzed using aerodynamic, acoustic and voice range profile methods. Results and Conclusion : Countertenors could produce elevated fundamental frequency, voice intensity and mean air flow rate using large pulmonary capacity and head voiced falsetto. It means the presence of greater energy in countertenor is due to the more efficient conversion of the air flow to acoustic energy. But, they had unstable amplitude perturbation per each vocal cycle. The results indicated that countertenor is the acoustic products of different laryngeal mechanism with other classical register and it can be recognized as one of the registers of male classical singers.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2012

Thyroidectomy patients may have vocal paralysis or paresis, resulting in a breathy voice. The aim of this study was to investigate the aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics of a breathy voice in thyroidectomy patients. Thirty-five subjects who have vocal paralysis after thyroidectomy participated in this study. According to perceptual judgements by three speech pathologists and one phonetic scholar, subjects were divided into two groups: breathy voice group (n = 21) and non-breathy voice group (n = 14). Aerodynamic analysis was conducted by three tasks (Voicing Efficiency, Maximum Sustained Phonation, Vital Capacity) and acoustic analysis was measured during Maximum Sustained Phonation task. The breathy voice group had significantly higher subglottal pressure and more pathological voice characteristics than the non breathy voice group. Showing 94.1% classification accuracy in result logistic regression of aerodynamic analysis, the predictor parameters for breathiness were maximum sound pressure level, sound pressure level range, phonation time of Maximum Sustained Phonation task and Pitch range, peak air pressure, and mean peak air pressure of Voicing Efficiency task. Classification accuracy of acoustic logistic regression was 88.6%, and five frequency perturbation parameters were shown as predictors. Vocal paralysis creates air turbulence at the glottis. It fluctuates frequency-related parameters and increases aspiration in high frequency areas. These changes determine perceptual breathiness.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.187-193
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• 2009

For this study, the external laryngeal lengths of 9 females and 9 males with normal voices were measured together with their ages, heights, and weights, and after they read aloud sentences for 3 minutes, their habitual speaking fundamental frequencies, speaking low pitches, speaking high pitches, and vocal fold closed quotients were measured. The Spearman rank correlation analysis on these data showed a significant negative correlation between the external laryngeal length and the habitual speaking fundamental frequency for both females and males, a significant negative correlation between the external laryngeal length and the speaking high pitch for only males, a significant negative correlation between the external laryngeal length and the speaking low pitch for both females and males, and a significant positive correlation between the external laryngeal length and the vocal fold closed quotient for only males.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 1986

Our report refers to occidental vocal techniques from Greece until today. It is remarkable that even with poor anatomy knowledge, there were advices on styles given from very early periods, for both church and secular singing. During the 18th century, the names of "vox pectoris", "vox guturris" and "vox capitis" appear, nominations that somehow remain nowadays with great confusion about source of sound production and results of resonance. Vocal occidental styles developed different kinds of requirements from the singers, that had to adapt their vocal Possibilities to them. The same happened with "pop" song. Nowadays, all kinds of singers must have a conscious knowledge of its voice management to prevent vocal disturbances. We consider that the technique is the same, even when the singer has to sing Wagner, Debussy, Sconberg, Piazzola or Gershwin. The big changes occured at resonance levels, and because these different use of the vocal resonators the effects are quite different. In summary, the big differences on classical the effects are quite different. In summary, the big differences on classical and pop song are done on the different use of the resonators and its effects on the vocal tract. "Pop" singers, men and women, should be taught to use both registers, "modal" and "falsetto" to be able to reach the complete range of their songs without any harm to their larynxes. In our opinion, a good singing technique means that it could be adapted to every stylistic need. The same technique is adapted to the popular singer as well. The main difference lays on the use of resonators, pretty strong in the classic singer, weaken in the popular singer, on the volume and on the total extension of the voice. Breathing control, effortless emission and the use of "passage" at the right point should be taught to all singers, regardless of their style. (omitted)

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.75-83
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to find clues to the risk of voice disorders in soprano students. The subjects of the study were 17 soprano students and 18 general students (women). The phonation of vowels /a/, /i/, and /u/ with C4 and F4 notes in each group were recorded. Then, only soprano students were made to record their classical vocalization containing vibrato. Formant, formant energy, bandwidth, VAI (vowel area index), VSA (vowel space area) and L/H ratio were analyzed. There was significant difference in F3 such that the singers' note was measured around 3 kHz which seems to be 400 Hz higher than one from general students. But, There was no significant difference in L/H ratio between soprano student and the general student. There was a significant difference in F3 in the comparison of the soprano students' two vocalization methods. Classical vocalization was measured at 200Hz higher than sustained phonation in F3. Vocal tract adjustment was made and vowel space changed, but there was no significant difference in F3 energy, which is the index of singers' formant according to the phonation method. The L/H ratio, which can be a direct indicator of vocal effort, has no difference in phonation method and is lowered in all phonation methods as the pitch increases. C4 and F4 pitches are lower than the singing range of the soprano. When the pitch changes, vocal effort increases like a general student which will be an indicator of the risk of vocalization. This will be a clue to the vocalization of the immature soprano student.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2006

Background and Objectives: Countertenors who can produce higher vocal pitch like female classical singer's voice and use both modal and falsetto register. This study was conducted to study phonatory characteristics between modal and falsetto register of the countertenor. Materials and Methods: A male countertenor who had 8 years of experience was examined using a videostroboscopy and his voice was analyzed using aerodynamic measures; fundamental frequency(F0), Mean air flow rate(MFR), intensity(SLP), subglottal air pressure(Psub) with phonatory function analyzer(Nagashima) and acoustic measures; jitter, shimmer, HNR, closed quotient(CQ) using a Electro-glottography(EGG) of Lx. Speech Studio(Laryngoscope, Ltd, UK) and voice range profile of CSL(Kay elemetrics). Results: In the stroboscopy finding, the longitudinal length of vocal folds was increased at the falsetto register and the upper margin of vocal folds vibrated with incomplete closure of true vocal folds. In aerodynamic analysis, intensity was same at the modal and falsetto register. However, MFR, Psub, MPT were higher at the falsetto register. In the electroglottographic analysis, closed quotient(CQ) at the modal register was high and also much higher at the high-pitch falsetto than at the loud falsetto. In the VRP, intensity was similar though F0 was different between modal and falsetto register. Conclusion: It implied that countertenor could produce powerful voice quality by increasing of respiratory pressure and respiratory volume though glottal closure was incomplete. In addition, no change of EGG waveform, similar voice range with alto was observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2013

Background and Objectives:This study is to objectively compare and analyze the acoustic changes in the patients with total thyroidectomy before and after RI therapy. Subjects and Methods:For this study, a total of 50 patients with total thyroidectomy were participated as subjects. Voice samples were obtained at the time of post-operation (Post-OP), before high-dose radioactive iodine therapy (Pre-RIT), and after high-dose radioactive iodine therapy (Post-RIT). Acoustic analysis, the maximum phonation time and K-VHI (Korea-Voice handicap index) were used for subjective evaluation. Results:According to the comparison analysis of the three periods, mFo (Hz) was significantly reduced in all of the vowels /a/ and /i/ as the hormone was discontinued. This can be related to the reduction in vocal range. As thyroid hormone was discontinued, Shim (%) and APQ (%) values, which are the parameters related to the degree of aggressiveness, showed a significant increase in the middle vowel /a/. As thyroid hormone was discontinued, emotional index was significantly decreased in VHI (voice handicap index). Conclusion:These results can be assumed that thyroid hormone suspension is related to the increased changes in the vocal intensity, the increase in noise and the reduction in vocal range. Emotionally, these data can be assumed that the responsive factors of one's own voice disorders were significantly decreased in the patients with vocal handicap.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2020

Evaluating the patient's voice before thyroidectomy is useful for the purpose of identifying patients with vocal cord paralysis without symptoms, identifying other patient's voice abnormalities, and whether it is related to voice disorders that may occur after surgery. Also voice evaluation after thyroid surgery is helpful in diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation and follow-up of voice disorders that occur without clear nerve damage after thyroidectomy. And it is helpful for rapid recovery through active early rehabilitation treatment for patients who complain of speech impairment without paralysis. In particular, neck exercise can improve the adhesion of the surgical site and increase the range of motion of the neck as well as improve subjective neck discomfort. In addition, hearing, voice and breathing functions should be improved, and voice hygiene education and counseling should be provided. Vocal cord injection is the first treatment option for unilateral vocal cord palsy. By establishing a protocol for voice disorders before and after thyroid surgery and providing appropriate treatment, the quality of life of patients can be improved.

• MALSORI
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• no.67
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• pp.33-60
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to show the differences in acoustic parameters between a pathological voice /a/ caused by vocal polyp and a normal voice /a/ produced after LMS (Laryngeal Microscopic Surgery). It was expected that voices of two kinds could be analyzed effectively in terms of HNR in specific frequency bands than in all frequency bands. For this study, 10 patients' voice were recorded before and after LMS and then were manipulated in terms of four acoustic parameter. It was found out that (a) frequency bands of 500Hz in the range of 1,000Hz to 4,000Hz were very useful to obtain HNR values; (b) frequency bands in the range of 1,248Hz to 5,500Hz on a log scale were very useful to obtain HNR values; (c) F0 dropped after LMS but not significantly; (d) the bandwidth of the second formant (B2) decreased significantly after LMS, while that of the first formant (B1) decreased after LMS but not significantly.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.69-76
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effects of vocal aerobic treatment (VAT) on the improvement of voice in patients with voice disorders. Twenty patients (13 males, 7 females) were diagnosed with voice disorders on the basis of videostroboscopy and voice evaluations. Acoustic evaluation was performed with the Multidimensional voice program (MDVP) and Voice Range Profile (VRP) of Computerized Speech Lab (CSL), and aerodynamic evaluation with PAS (Phonatory Aerodynamic System). The changes in F0, Jitter, Shimmer, and NHR before and after treatment were measured by MDVP. F0 range and Energy range were measured with VRP before and after treatment, and the changes in Expiratory Volume (FVC), Phonation Time (PHOT), Mean Expiratory Airflow (MEAF), Mean Peak Air Pressure (MPAP), and Aerodynamic Efficiency (AEFF) with PAS. Videostroboscopy was performed to evaluate the regularity, symmetry, mucosal wave, and amplitude changes of both vocal cords before and after treatment. Voice therapy was performed once a week for each patient using the VAT program in a holistic voice therapy approach. The average number of treatments per patient was 6.5. In the MDVP, Jitter, Shimmer, and NHR showed statistically significant decreases (p < .001, p < .01, p < .05). VRP results showed that Hz and semitones in the frequency range improved significantly after treatment (p < .01, p < .05), as did PAS, FVC, and PHOT (p < .01, p < .001). The results for videostroboscopy, functional voice disorder, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and benign vocal fold lesions were normal. Thus, the VAT program was found to be effective in improving the acoustic and aerodynamic aspects of the voice of patients with voice disorders. In future studies, the effect of VAT on the same group of voice disorders should be studied. It is also necessary to investigate subjective voice improvement and objective voice improvement. Furthermore, it is necessary to examine the effects of VAT in professional voice users.