• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2010

In this paper, we investigate a signal typing on the basis of visual impression of distinctive spectrogram. Pathological voices are classified into signal type 1, 2, 3, or 4 to estimate perturbation parameters and to mark perceptual rating based on Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V). The results suggest that perturbation analysis can be applied to only type 1 and 2 signals and the perceptual ratings of overall grade increase with each signal type, overall. A good inter-rater reliability is showed among three raters. We recommend that pathological voices should be marked the signal typing and CAPE-V, together, to definitely describe the characteristics of pathological voices.

• MALSORI
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• no.60
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• pp.13-28
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• 2006

This study focused on comparing the following acoustic changes according to age and sex in adulthood: Fo, Jitter, Shimmer, and NHR. One hundred twenty Korean adults were divided into three age groups (20's, 50's, and 70's) and two sex groups (male and female). The subjects of this study performed three tasks: (1) sustained three vowels; (2) read on paragraph of 'Taking a Walk' (3) explained a picture. The data was analyzed using the MDVP of Multi-Speech. In the parameter of Fo, sex and age were influential factors. In the parameters of Jitter, Shimmer and NHR, the effect of sex and age was different in all three parameters. When the groups organized by sex were analyzed by age, the 20's group showed a statistical difference in all four parameters (Fo, Jitter, Shimmer, and NKR), when compared to the other two age ranges of 50's and 70's. We need to consider our standard parameter for the normal voice in the Korean elderly because the 50's and 70's age normal groups in our study are out of the current range of normal in MDVP.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.81-90
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• 2023

Auditory perceptual assessment and acoustic analysis are commonly used in clinical practice for voice evaluation. This study aims to explore the effects of speech task context on auditory perceptual assessment and acoustic measures in patients with voice disorders. Sustained vowel phonations (/a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/, /ɯ/, /ʌ/) and connected speech (a standardized paragraph 'kaeul' and nine sub-sentences) were obtained from a total of 22 patients with voice disorders. GRBAS ('G', 'R', 'B', 'A', 'S') and CAPE-V ('OS', 'R', 'B', 'S', 'P', 'L') auditory-perceptual assessment were evaluated by two certified speech language pathologists specializing in voice disorders using blind and random voice samples. Additionally, spectral and cepstral measures were analyzed using the analysis of dysphonia in speech and voice model (ADSV).When assessing voice quality with the GRBAS scale, it was not significantly affected by the vowel type except for 'B', while the 'OS', 'R' and 'B' in CAPE-V were affected by the vowel type (p<.05). In addition, measurements of CPP and L/H ratio were influenced by vowel types and sentence positions. CPP values in the standard paragraph showed significant negative correlations with all vowels, with the highest correlation observed for /e/ vowel (r=-.739). The CPP of the second sentence had the strongest correlation with all vowels. Depending on the speech stimulus, CAPE-V may have a greater impact on auditory-perceptual assessment than GRBAS, vowel types and sentence position with consonants influenced the 'B' scale, CPP, and L/H ratio. When using vowels in the voice assessment of patients with voice disorders, it would be beneficial to use not only /a/, but also the vowel /i/, which is acoustically highly correlated with 'breathy'. In addition, the /e/ vowel was highly correlated acoustically with the standardized passage and sub-sentences. Furthermore, given that most dysphonic signals are aperiodic, 2nd sentence of the 'kaeul' passage, which is the most acoustically correlated with all vowels, can be used with CPP. These results provide clinical evidence of the impact of speech tasks on auditory perceptual and acoustic measures, which may help to provide guidelines for voice evaluation in patients with voice disorders.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.95-102
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• 2008

Multiple physical changes of the larynx and its components occur with age. Vocal pitch, commonly expressed through measures of fundamental frequency (Fo) relate to physical conditions of the larynx. Available data is lacking for the senescent voice, and should be applied to the of changes of elderly speakers' Fo characteristics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Fo of normal elderly speaker's voice. A total of 406 normal elderly speakers (207 males and 199 females) participated in this experiment. Age ranged from 60 years to 89 years. The subjects were asked to produce sustained corner vowels (/a/ /i/ /u/) three times each and the data were analyzed using the MDVP of CSL. According to the results of this study, the mean Fo from the ages of 60's to 80's shows 143.95Hz(SD 13.94) for men and 185.42Hz (SD 15.29) for women. For men, a significant change is found as a function of age in the Fo (F=16.181, p<.05). A post-hoc Scheffe test revealed significant differences between the Fo data of subjects aged 60's and 70's, 60's and 80's. For women, a significant change is found as a function of age in the Fo (F=49.013, p<.05). A post-hoc $Scheff'{e}$ test revealed significant differences between the Fo data of subjects in their 60's and 70's, 70's and 80's, 60's and 80's. The Fo of men goes up from their 60's to 80's gradually, whereas the Fo of women goes down gradually until their 70's, and after their 70's it again increases. It has been known that diminishing estrogen levels in women in old age may be a factor in lowering Fo, whereas diminishing testosterone levels in men may contribute to a rising Fo. This result may be used as some meaningful guideline and lead the basic data to differentiate between normal aged voice and aged voice disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2005

Background and Objectives : Vowels are characterized on the basis of formant patterns. The first formant(F1) is determined by high-low placement of the tongue, and the second formant (F2) by front-back placement of the tongue. The fundamental frequency(F0) of a soprano often exceed the normal frequency of the first formant. And the vocal intensity is boosted when F0 is high and a harmonic coincides with a formant. This is called a formant tuning. Experienced singers thus learned how to tune their formants over a resonable range by lowering the tongue to maximize their vocal intensity. So, the current study aimed to identify the formant tuning in one experienced soprano by comparing the first formants of vowel [i] in three different voice production : speech, ascending scale, and vocalize. Materials and Method : All voices recordings of vowel [i] in speech, ascending scale (from F4 note to A4 note), and vocalize(:Ridente la calam") were made with digital audio tape-corder in a sound treated room. And the captured data were analyzed by the long term average(LTA) power spectrum using the FFT algorithm of the Computerized Speech Lab(CSL, Kay elementrics, Model, 4300B). Results : Although the first formant of vowel [i] in speech was 238Hz, those of ascending scale [i] were 377Hz, 405Hz, 453Hz respectively in F4(349z), G4(392Hz), A4(440Hz) note, and 722Hz, 820Hz, 918Hz respectively in F5 (698Hz), G5(784Hz), A5(880Hz) note. In vocalize, first formants of [i] were 380Hz, 398Hz, 453Hz respectively in F4, G4, A4 note, and 720Hz, 821Hz, 890Hz respectively in F5, G5, A5 note. Conclusion : These results showed that the first formant of ascending scale and vocalize sustained higher frequency than fundamental frequency in high pitch. This finding implicates that the formant tuning of vowel [i] in ascending scale was also noted in vocalize.

• 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.19 no.2
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• pp.133-135
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• 2008

Background and Objectives: The voice changes can occur in peritonsillar abscess and the labeling of this changes as a "muffled voice". The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in acoustic feature of voice before and after treatment in patients with peritonsillar abscess. Materials and Method: 12 patients with peritonsillar abscess were enrolled in the study. Acoustic analysis on sustained Korean vowels /a/, /i/ and /u/ were performed before and after treatment. Results: In patients with peritonsillar abscess, the first formant frequency (F1) and second formant frequency (F2) of /a/ were decreased. There was tendency of articulation of back-low vowel /a/ as back-high vowel /u/. F1 of /i/ and /u/ were increased, while F2 were decreased. There was tendency of articulation of front-high vowel /i/ as back-low vowel /a/. The third, forth, fifth formant frequency (F3, F4, F5) of /a/, /i/ and /u/ were decreased although statistically not significant. Conclusion: The anatomical and functional changes of oropharynx by peritonsillar abscess can cause changes in resonance and speech quality. We suggest that these changes could be the cause of 'muffled voice' in patients of peritonsillar abscess.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2010

Backgraound and Objectives : The voice change can occur in acute epiglottitis or peritonsillar abscess, and the labelings of both changes as a "muffled voice" or "hot potato voice", The aim of this study was to investigate the difference of changes in acoustic feature of voice before and after treatment in patients with acute epiglottitis or peritonsillar abscess. Subjects and Method: 13 patients with acute epiglottitis and 12 patients with peritonsillar abscess were enrolled in the study. Acoustic analysis on sustained Korean vowels /${\alpha}$/, /u/ and /i/ were performed before and after treatment. Results: In patients with acute epiglottitis, the first formant frequency (F1) of /${\alpha}$/ was increased, and the second frequency (F2) of /i/ was decreased. In patients with peritonsillar abscess, F1 and F2 of /${\alpha}$/ were decreased. F1 of /i/ and /u/ were increased, while F2 were decreased. Conclusion : The anatomical and functional changes of oropharynx and larynx by acute epiglottitis and peritonsillar abscess can cause different change in resonance and speech quality. We suggest that these changes could be the cause of 'muffled vocie' in patients of acute epiglottitis or peritonsillar abscess, but different characteristics of phonation in each disease should be distinguished.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2011

Electroglottography (EGG) is a common method for providing non-invasive measurements of glottal activity. EGG has been used in vocal pathology as a clinical or research tool to measure vocal fold contact. This paper presents the results of pitch, jitter, and closed quotient (CQ) measurements in electroglottographic signals of young (mean = 22.7 years) and elderly (mean = 74.3 years) male and female subjects. The sustained corner vowels /i/, /a/, and /u/ were measured at around 70 dB SPL since the most notable among EGG variables is the phonation intensity, which showed positive correlation with closed phase. The aim of this paper was to measure EGG data according to age and gender. In CQ, there was a significant difference between young and elderly female subjects while there was no significant difference between young and elderly male subjects. The mean value for young males was higher than that for elderly males while the mean value for young females was lower than that for elderly females. Thus, it can be said that in mean values, increased CQ was related to decreased age for females, while CQ decreased for males as the speaker's age decreased. Although the laryngeal degeneration due to increased age seems to occur to a lesser extent in females, the significant increase of CQ in elderly female voices could not be explained in terms of age-related physiological changes. In standard deviation of pitch and jitter, the mean values for young and elderly males were higher than that for young and elderly females. That is, male subjects showed higher in mean values of voice variables than female subjects. This result could be considered as a sign of vocal instability in males. It was suggested that these results may provide powerful insights into the control and regulation of normal phonation and into the detection and characterization of pathology.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.60 no.9
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• pp.454-462
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• 2017

Background and Objectives The present study aimed to investigate the effects of penetration/aspiration (P/A) on voice acoustic parameters. Subjects and Method Twenty-seven patients were analyzed with the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and then divided into two groups based on the modified Penetration and Aspiration Scale results. Ten patients (5 males and 5 females) were included in the Non-P/A group, and 17 patients (12 males and 5 females) in the P/A group. Stroke was the major cause of swallowing disorders. Three sustained /a/ vowels recorded in pre- and post-VFSS were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare acoustic values before and after VFSS, and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve with combination of significant parameters was also conducted. Results Among acoustic parameters, the length of analyzed sample (p=0.010), number of segments computed (p=0.018), total number detected pitch periods (p=0.017), and second formant (p=0.013) in pre- and post-VFSS were significantly different between Non-P/A and P/A groups. In the P/A group after VFSS, the means of these significant parameters decreased. According to ROC combined with four significant parameters, the probability of predicting P/A condition was 84% (p=0.005), the sensitivity was 80%, and the specificity was 80%. Conclusion Voice acoustic analysis can reflect voice changes by penetration/aspiration and the combination of significant parameters can also detect swallowing disorders. Therefore, voice analysis can be a reliable screening tool for patients with swallowing disorders.