Contributions of Voice and Nonverbal Communication to Perceived Masculinity–Femininity for Cisgender and Transgender Communicators

Purpose The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to identify a set of communication-based predictors (including both acoustic and gestural variables) of masculinity–femininity ratings and (b) to explore differences in ratings between audio and audiovisual presentation modes for transgender and cisgender communicators. Method The voices and gestures of a group of cisgender men and women ( n = 10 of each) and transgender women ( n = 20) communicators were recorded while they recounted the story of a cartoon using acoustic and motion capture recording systems. A total of 17 acoustic and gestural variables were measured from these recordings. A group of observers ( n = 20) rated each communicator's masculinity–femininity based on 30- to 45-s samples of the cartoon description presented in three modes: audio, visual, and audio visual. Visual and audiovisual stimuli contained point light displays standardized for size. Ratings were made using a direct magnitude estimation scale without modulus. Communication-based predictors of masculinity–femininity ratings were identified using multiple regression, and analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of presentation mode on perceptual ratings. Results Fundamental frequency, average vowel formant, and sound pressure level were identified as significant predictors of masculinity–femininity ratings for these communicators. Communicators were rated significantly more feminine in the audio than the audiovisual mode and unreliably in the visual-only mode. Conclusions Both study purposes were met. Results support continued emphasis on fundamental frequency and vocal tract resonance in voice and communication modification training with transgender individuals and provide evidence for the potential benefit of modifying sound pressure level, especially when a masculine presentation is desired.

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Acoustical Effects of Endotracheal Intubation

Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders ◽

10.1044/jshd.5503.427 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 427-433 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Tracey A. Yonick ◽

Alan R. Reich ◽

Fred D. Minifie ◽

B. Raymond Fink

Keyword(s):

Standard Deviation ◽

Endotracheal Intubation ◽

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Sound Pressure Level ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Surgery ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Laryngeal Trauma

Certain acoustical consequences of endotracheal intubation were examined in 13 male cardiovascular-surgery patients. Each subject recorded three tokens of a sustained vowel 1 day before intubation, 1 day after, upon discharge, and during a follow-up visit. Eight acoustical measures were obtained from the audio-recorded vowels: (a) mean fundamental frequency (Fo), (b) Fostandard deviation, (c) Foperturbation quotient, (d) mean sound pressure level (SPL), (e) SPL standard deviation, (f) SPL perturbation quotient, (g) spectral flatness of the residue signal, and (h) coefficient of excess. Mean Fo, Fostandard deviation, mean SPL, SPL standard deviation, and coefficient of excess did not differ significantly across recording sessions, although certain predictable trends were apparent. Foperturbation quotient, SPL perturbation quotient, and spectral flatness of the residue signal varied significantly across sessions, implying that these acoustical measures may be useful in the identification and monitoring of even minor intubation-related laryngeal trauma.

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Evaluating the Influence of Targeted Air Flow on Sound Pressure Level and Closed Quotient

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2021_persp-21-00078 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Michael J. Hammer

Keyword(s):

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Sound Pressure Level ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Air Flow ◽

Vocal Folds ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Air Pressure ◽

Steady Increase ◽

Closed Quotient ◽

Considerable Range

Purpose Measures of estimated subglottal air pressure and translaryngeal air flow enable the researcher or clinician to noninvasively assess aerodynamic features related to respiratory and phonatory function. Our goal was to examine the unique relationship between air flow with sound pressure level (SPL) during syllable production while attempting to hold fundamental frequency and subglottal air pressure relatively constant. Method We completed two studies. Study 1: During syllable production, resultant sound pressure level was measured under conditions of constant fundamental frequency and estimated subglottal air pressure while systematically varying translaryngeal air flow. Study 2: During syllable production, resultant sound pressure level and closed quotient (using laryngeal stroboscopy) were measured under conditions of constant fundamental frequency and estimated subglottal air pressure while systematically varying translaryngeal air flow. Results Study 1: Findings suggest a steady increase in sound pressure level with increases in air flow between 25 cc/s and 150 cc/s. Interestingly, relatively stable mean sound pressure level was maintained over a considerable range of air flow values between 225 and 450 cc/s, suggesting that air flow could be further increased without a marked loss of sound pressure level. Study 2: Findings suggest a systematic increase in mean sound pressure level as supraglottic activity subsided and as the closed quotient decreased from 0.80 to 0.58. Interestingly, sound pressure level was relatively stable as the closed quotient decreased from 0.58 to 0.35. Conclusions Our findings suggest that sound pressure level can be maintained over a considerable range of increasing translaryngeal air flow values and over a considerable range of decreasing closed quotient values. These results provide motivation for investigating the interaction between air flow, glottal closure, and sound pressure level among other measures of phonatory function, with important clinical implications for therapeutic approaches that emphasize increases in air flow and focus on reducing contact between the vocal folds.

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Fundamental frequency influences the relationship between sound pressure level and spectral balance in female classically trained singers

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America ◽

10.1121/1.3132526 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 126 (1) ◽

pp. 396-406 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sally Collyer ◽

Pamela J. Davis ◽

C. William Thorpe ◽

Jean Callaghan

Keyword(s):

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Sound Pressure Level ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Spectral Balance ◽

The Relationship

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Vocal Fundamental Frequency and Sound Pressure Level in Charismatic Speech: A Cross-Gender and -Language Study

Journal of Voice ◽

10.1016/j.jvoice.2019.04.007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 808.e1-808.e13

Author(s):

Rosario Signorello ◽

Didier Demolin ◽

Nathalie Henrich Bernardoni ◽

Bruce R. Gerratt ◽

Zhaoyan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Sound Pressure Level ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Language Study ◽

Vocal Fundamental Frequency

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Studies on the Acoustic Characteristics of the Hartmann Acoustic Generator

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.472.364 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 472 ◽

pp. 364-368

Author(s):

Ren Song Chen ◽

Xiu Hai Chen ◽

Xin Jun Gao ◽

Jun Bo Jia ◽

Sheng Ping He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Sound Pressure Level ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Acoustic Model ◽

Resonator Length ◽

Acoustic Characteristics

Based on the method FW-H acoustic model, how the parameters influence acoustic characteristics of the Hartmann acoustic generator were studied, which are resonator length, spacing between the jet and resonator tube, the diameter of resonator tube. The conclusions were induced just as below. The total sound pressure level (SPL) increases with the length of resonator tube, while the magnitude of fundamental frequency is reverse. And the total SPL oscillates with the increase of spacing between jet and resonator, and the oscillating distance period increases with diameter of resonator tube. And the Hartmann generator with larger diameter of resonator tube can produce a higher SPL. The results of the paper provide the instructing meaning for the application of the Hartmann acoustic generator.

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Changes of Voice Production in Artificial Acoustic Environments

Frontiers in Built Environment ◽

10.3389/fbuil.2021.666152 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Tomás Sierra-Polanco ◽

Lady Catherine Cantor-Cutiva ◽

Eric J. Hunter ◽

Pasquale Bottalico

Keyword(s):

Sound Pressure Level ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Dynamic Range ◽

Vocal Tract ◽

Production Systems ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Room Acoustics ◽

Reverberation Time ◽

Voice Production ◽

Vocal Control

The physical production of speech level dynamic range is directly affected by the physiological features of the speaker such as vocal tract size and lung capacity; however, the regulation of these production systems is affected by the perception of the communication environment and auditory feedback. The current study examined the effects of room acoustics in an artificial setting on voice production in terms of sound pressure level and the relationship with the perceived vocal comfort and vocal control. Three independent room acoustic parameters were considered: gain (alteration of the sidetone or playback of one’s own voice), reverberation time, and background noise. An increase in the sidetone led to a decrease in vocal sound pressure levels, thus increasing vocal comfort and vocal control. This effect was consistent in the different reverberation times considered. Mid-range reverberation times (T30 ≈ 1.3 s) led to a decrease in vocal sound pressure level along with an increase in vocal comfort and vocal control, however, the effect of the reverberation time was smaller than the effect of the gain. The presence of noise amplified the aforementioned effects for the variables analyzed.

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Immediate effects of cervical stimulation and diaphragmatic release on vocal production

Fisioterapia em Movimento ◽

10.1590/1980-5918.033.ao37 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

Author(s):

Érika Corrêa Machado ◽

Letícia Fernandez Frigo ◽

Fernanda Anversa Bresolin ◽

Joziane Padilha de Moraes Lima ◽

Carla Aparecida Cielob

Keyword(s):

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Sound Pressure Level ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Cervical Vertebra ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Abdominal Muscles ◽

Adult Women ◽

Maximum Phonation Time ◽

Cervical Stimulation

Abstract Introduction: The voice is heavily influenced by breathing and abdominal muscles. Objective: To verify the immediate effects of cervical stimulation and diaphragmatic release on the respiratory and phonatory function of adult women with no vocal complaints. Method: Relaxation maneuvers and eccentric work of the diaphragm were performed together with articulatory maneuver of the third cervical vertebra. Twenty-four women without vocal complaints, aged between 18 and 35 years were part of the intervention. All volunteers were submitted to an evaluation of respiratory muscle strength, maximum phonation time of the vowel /a/, sound pressure level and acoustic vocal analysis, before and after physiotherapeutic intervention. Statistical analysis consisted of the Student's t-test for independent samples and Spearman's correlation. Significance level was set at 5%. Results: There was a significant increase in the maximum phonation time of the vowel /a/ and in the modal sound pressure level. Regarding the acoustic analysis, there was a reduction in the standard deviation values of the fundamental frequency; in the smoothed pitch disturbance quotient; and in the fundamental frequency and amplitude variations. Conclusion: Cervical stimulation and diaphragmatic release improved vocal quality regarding duration of emission, sound pressure, and stability and noise of the glottic signal.

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