• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2005

Background and Objectives : Artecoll(R) is an injectable soft tissue filler, which is a suspension of polymethylmethacrylate microspheres in $3.5\%$ bovine collagen solution. The authors aimed to determine the clinical of Artecoll of Artecoll(R) as an injection material into the vocal fold to correct the glottal insufficiency caused by unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Materials and Methods : Forty-one consecutive patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis received percutaneous Artecoll injections under local anesthesia. Acoustic, aerodynamic and stroboscopic analyses were prospectively provided before, 1 week and 3 months after injection. Perceptual GRBAS grading by speech language pathologists and subjective ratings of the hoarseness and aspiration by the patients were also obtained. Results : Aerodynamic parameter(maximal phonation time) were significantly improved after the injection (p<0.05). Acoustic parameters (jitter and shimmer) were improved at the 3rd month follow-up. GRBAS uading and patients own subjective scaling of hoarseness and aspiration also showed significant improvement (p<0.05). Early or delayed significant side effects were not observed. Conclusion : Vocal fold injection with Artecoll is a convenient, safe and useful method of temporarily correcting the glottal insufficiency. Further long-term follow-up studies will answer the usefulness and safety of the Artecoll injection laryngoplasty.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.153-165
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• 2000

During the phonation of voiced sounds, instants exist where the glottis is opened or closed, due to the periodic vibration of the vocal cord. When closed, this is called the glottal closure instant(GCI) or epoch.. The correct detection of the GCI is one of the important problems in speech processing for pitch detection, pitch synchronous analysis, and so on. Recently, it has been shown that the local maxima points of the wavelet transformed speech signal correspond to the GCIs of speech signal. In this paper, we investigate the accuracy of Gels estimated from this wavelet transformed speech signal. For this purpose we compare them with the negative peak points of the differentiated EGG signal that represents the actual GCIs of speech signal.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2004

This study investigated and compared the acoustic characteristics of the Korean stop sound [k'] in three different phonological environments: the tensified lenis stop [k'] as observed in /prek+kaci/, the fortis stop /k'/ as in /pre+k'aci/, and the fortis stop /k'/ following an obstruent as in /prek+k'aci/. The specific research question was whether or not the tensified lenis stop shares all the acoustic features with the other two kinds of fortis stops. The acoustic measures adopted in this study were H1*-H2*, VOT, length of stop closure, and $F_0$. The major findings were that the three stops showed no significant difference in all the acoustic measures except the length of stop closure. The fortis stop /k'/ following an obstruent showed significantly longer duration of stop closure than the other two stops, both of which showed no significant difference. Based on these phonetic results, this study argued that, for the proper phonological description of post-obstruent tensification, the phonological feature [slack vocal folds] of a lenis stop should be changed into [stiff vocal folds, constricted glottis] that the fortis stops should have.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.239-251
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• 2023

In the present study, we aim to use nanotechnology sensors/actuators to capture pressure and frequency of voice singers and to send signals for improving breathing pressure. In this regard, a circular composite structure having 3 different layers are used. The core layer is nano-composite material reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets. The face sheets are piezo electric materials connected to electrical circuit capable of measuring and applying voltage to the piezoelectric layers. This sensors have extremely smaller size than conventional sensors attached to the neck of singer and, hence, minimizes the influences on the output voice of the singer. A brief theoretical framework are presented for nonlocal strain gradient theory and geometry of the sensor is described in detail. The controlling procedure along with experimental results on 20 amateur and professional singer participants are also presented. The results of the study indicate that the participants could gain benefit from the device for improving their ability in phonation and keeping their frequency at a constant level although they have difficulty in the beginning of the experiment getting used to the device.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1998

Objectives : To compare the objective differences in voice quality and voice problems between clergies and normal male control group. Materials and Methods : The sustained vowel sound of 46 clergies and 40 normal persons were analyzed, using a videostroboscopy and acoustic analyzer. Together with these analyses, a questionnaire associated with current and past voice problems was handed over to the patients. Results : The most common symptom in subjective group was the voice fatigue. Stroboscopic findings in subjective group were as following 23 cases(50%) of pachydermia, 17 cases(37%) of phase difference, 12 cases(25%) of anterior-posterior contracture, 6 cases(13%) of vocal polyp and 3 cases(7%) of vocal nodule. The mean maximal phonation time in clergies was 17.8 seconds and in control group was 19 seconds. litter, pitch perturbation quotient and shimmer were significantly increased in subjective group than in control group(p<0.05), but there were no significant differences between two groups in fundamental frequency, vFo, amplitude perturbation quotient and noise to harmonic ratio. Conclusion : In the clergies using loud and forceful voice, vocal polyp and functional voice disorder findings were frequently noted in stroboscopic examination. litter and shimmer, reflecting the roughness of voice, were increased in acoustic analysis. Therefore, clergies, classified into untrained professional voice users, need professional career guidance and counseling.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.156-161
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• 2013

This study was aimed to implement the electroglottography (EGG) system for analyzing fundamental frequency of the phonation. EGG was recorded from the conductance between ring electrodes attached to the neck skin area near thyroid cartilage with high frequency carrier electric signals during vocalization, and voice signal was recorded with microphone simultaneously. EGG and voice signals were transmitted to the audio port in PC and recorded with stereo sound recording program. From the digitized data, several parameters such as pitch, jitter, shimmer, CQ and SQ were analyzed from the vowel sounds. For the voice training, sound fundamental frequency was displayed during the vocalization and singing a song using pitches analyzed from the EGG. The system implemented in this study could be used for vocal exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2004

Vocal Register Transition(Passaggio) is one of the most important vocal technique for classically trined male singers(tenor). Passaggio is that it bridges the chest register to head register without a noticeable voice break. Vocalist gest the feeling that voice is not locked a particular register. The purpose of this study was to clarify the difference between easy($B_3$) tone and non passaggio(F#_4$) & passaggio(F#_4$). We selected 6 trained singers(tenor), who had more than 12.6 years of experience and were well trained in passaggio technique. Simulataneous measurement was performed frequency(F0), mean flow rate(MFR), intensity(I), and subglottal pressure(Psub) using a phonatory function analyzer(Nagashima) and Closed Quotient(CQ), Jitter, Shimmer, NHR a Electro-glottography(EGG) of Lx. Speech Studio(Laryngogrph Lt, London, UK) and vocal efficiency was calculated by Carroll's method. For the tenor, target tone/a/was measured in three conditions : 1) easy phonation : $B_3$, 2) high tone without passaggio : F#_4$, 3) high tone with passaggio : F#_4$). The results revealed that F0 of the target tones between non-passaggio group and passaggio group were not significantly different though higher is F0, higher is subglottal pressure. And also CQ, MFR, Psub were increased in passagio than nonpssagio but these values were not statistically different. This study concluded that passaggio is the vocal technique to make the same quality of tone between chest register and head register in tenor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.83-86
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• 2018

Background and Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and complication of injection laryngoplasty using calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) for unilateral vocal fold paralysis in Asian. Materials and Methods : A prospective study was conducted on the adult patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis from May 2015 through January 2016. Injection laryngoplasty was performed by one laryngologist. All patients underwent prospective voice evaluation using the subjective and objective comprehensive battery of assessments, before the procedure and after the procedure at 3 months, and 6 months. Results : A total of 7 patients (5 males and 2 females) were included in this study. VHI-10 was significantly decreased after injection laryngoplasty, at postoperative 6 months (p=0.031), while VAS score and MDADI showed no difference. GRBAS scale gradually decreased in 3 months and 6 months follow-up without statistical significance. Acoustic analysis revealed that jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonic ratio continuously decreased from the baseline at 3 months and 6 months, although statistical significance was not attained. In the aerodynamic analysis, maximal phonation time was gradually increased at 3months and 6 months with significant difference (p=0.016, 0.031, respectively). There was no side effect associated with the procedure. Conclusion : CaHA can be safely used in Asian patients and the onset of maximal efficacy seems to be slow than other studies with Caucasian patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2011

Background and Objectives: Vocal polyps arc one of the most frequent benign laryngeal diseases. They arc usually found at the midpoint of the vocal fold. They are mainly caused by vocal overuse. Vocal polyps arc usually removed surgically. Generally, age-related changes to speech are attributed to change in anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism. These changes result in increased variability in the acoustic properties of speech with age. Still, not 'all studies of age-related changes in speech have taken differences between the young group and adult group after laryngeal microsurgery into account. The aim of this investigation was to compare improvement of acoustic analysis in young patients and elderly patients with vocal polyps, before and after the laryngeal microsurgery. Materials and Method: One hundred and twenty-eight patients who underwent laryngeal microsurgery for vocal polyps from 2008 through 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. 105 of the 128 patients under age 60 were classified as adult group (AG), and remaining 23 patients as elderly group (EG). The speech of AG and EG were evaluated before and after surgery for identification of differences for age group across measures of fundamental frequency (F0), Jitter, Shimmer and Maximum phonation time (MPT). Results: There were not significant differences between two groups for improvement of F0, Jitter, Shimmer, NHR, and MPT before and after surgery. The findings suggest that elderly group compares quite well with adult group in effectiveness of surgery. However, comparison between elderly group and young group (Age under 40) there was significant difference of improvement in Jitter and Shimmer. Conclusion: In general, the results of the present research showed significant improvement in vocal quality after phonosurgery of vocal polyp in both elderly and adult group. However, comparison of improvement between elderly group and young group, there were significant differences of improvement in jitter and shimmer. Therefore, in treatment planning of elderly group, we should consider age related changes of vocal cord.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2007

This study aims to analyze the voices of the patients with voice disorders including vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst and vocal nodule/polyp in the aspect of acoustic phonetics. This study intends to collect subsidiary acoustic data in order to make a speech treatment and an standardization of vocal disorders. Subjects and Methods: The subjects of this study were 64 adult patients who underwent indirect laryngoscopy and laryngostroboscopy, and were diagnosed as vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst or vocal nodule/polyp. Experimental group consisted of 20 patients who were diagnosed as vocal fold paralysis, 21 patients who were diagnosed as vocal fold cyst and had the average age of 42.0 $({\pm}10.03)$ ; and 23 patients who were diagnosed as vocal nodule/polyp and had the average age of 40.9 $({\pm}13.75)$. For the methodology of this study, the patients listed above were asked to sit in a comfortable position at intervals of 10cm apart from the patient's mouth and a microphone, and subsequently to phonate a vowel sound /e/ for the maximum phonation time with natural tone and vocal volume then the sound was directly inputted on a computer. During recording, sampling rate was set to 44,100Hz and the 1-second area corresponding to stable zone except the first and the last stage of waveform of the vowel sound /e/ vocalized by the individual patients was analyzed. Results: First, there was no statistically significant difference in jitter and shimmer between vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold cyst, while there was highly statistically significant difference in them between vocal fold paralysis and vocal nodule/polyp. Second, looking into the mean values obtained from NNE, HNR and SNR results associated with noise ratio, the disease showing the most abnormal characteristics was vocal fold paralysis, followed by cyst and nodule/polyp in order. For NNE, there was statistically significant difference between vocal nodule/polyp, and cyst or paralysis. In other words, it was found that the NNE of vocal nodule/polyp was weaker than that of cyst or paralysis. Similarly, HNR and SNR also showed the same characteristics; there was statistically significant difference between vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold cyst or nodule/polyp, and HNR and SNR values of vocal fold paralysis were lower than those of vocal fold cyst or nodule/polyp. Conclusion: For vocal fold paralysis, the abnormal values of acoustic parameters associated with frequency, amplitude and noise ratio were statistically significantly higher than those of vocal fold cyst and nodule/polyp. This finding suggests that the voices of the patients with vocal fold paralysis are the most severely injured due to less stability of vocal fold movement, asymmetry and incomplete glottic closure. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the acoustic parameters of tremor among vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst and vocal nodule/polyp. Further studies need to ascertain reasonable acoustic parameters with various vocal disorders as well as to clarify the correlation between acoustics-based objective tools and subjective evaluations.