Laryngograph as a Measure of Vocal Fold Contact Area

1984 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Gilbert ◽  
Charles R. Potter ◽  
Ronald Hoodin
Keyword(s):  
High Resistance ◽  
Contact Area ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Stop Consonant ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Pressure Waveform ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Vocal Effort

The present investigation sought to provide additional information concerning the laryngograph as a means to study vocal fold contact area. Subglottal pressures were sensed simultaneously with the laryngographic signal while the speaker produced a variety of speech tasks. The onset and cessation of the subglottal pressure waveform was studied relative to the laryngographic and speech waveforms. Differences were noted for voiced-voiceless contrasts for bilabial stop consonant production and vocal effort changes during the three vowels studied. Also a high-resistance polymer strip was placed between the vocal folds and gradually removed while simultaneous laryngographic recordings were obtained during sustained productions of the vowel/Δ/. An increase in the amplitude of the laryngographie waveform upon withdrawal of the polymer strip strongly supported the concept that the laryngographic signal is generated directly by the change in conductance due to alterations in the area of vocal fold contact.

Reinke's Edema: Phonatory Mechanisms and Management Strategies

1997 ◽  
Vol 106 (7) ◽  
pp. 533-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Zeitels ◽  
Glenn W. Bunting ◽  
Robert E. Hillman ◽  
Traci Vaughn
Keyword(s):  
Lamina Propria ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Vocal Fold Vibration ◽  
Reinke’S Edema ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Superficial Lamina

Reinke's edema (RE) has been associated typically with smoking and sometimes with vocal abuse, but aspects of the pathophysiology of RE remain unclear. To gain new insights into phonatory mechanisms associated with RE pathophysiology, weused an integrated battery of objective vocal function tests to analyze 20 patients (19 women) who underwent phonomicrosurgical resection. Preoperative stroboscopic examinations demonstrated that the superficial lamina propria is distended primarily on the superior vocal fold surface. Acoustically, these individuals have an abnormally low average speaking fundamental frequency (123 Hz), and they generate abnormally high average subglottal pressures (9.7 cm H20). The presence of elevated aerodynamic driving pressures reflects difficulties in producing vocal fold vibration that are most likely the result of mass loading associated with RE, and possibly vocal hyperfunction. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that in the environment of chronic glottal mucositis secondary to smoking and reflux, the cephalad force on the vocal folds by the subglottal driving pressure contributes to the superior distention of the superficial lamina propria. Surgical reduction of the volume of the superficial lamina propria resulted in a significant elevation in fundamental frequency (154 Hz) and improvement in perturbation measures. In almost all instances, both the clinician and the patient perceived the voice as improved. However, these patients continued to generate elevated subglottal pressure (probably a sign of persistent hyperfunction) that was accompanied by visually observed supraglottal strain despite the normalsized vocal folds. This finding suggests that persistent hyperfunctional vocal behaviors may contribute to postsurgical RE recurrence if therapeutic strategies are not instituted to modify such behavior.

Monitoring Vocal Fold Abduction through Vocal Fold Contact Area

1988 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Rothenberg ◽  
James J. Mahshie
Keyword(s):  
Contact Area ◽  
Time Variation ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Thyroid Cartilage ◽  
Electrical Conductance ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Linear Phase ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Voiced Speech ◽  
High Pass

A number of commercial devices for measuring the transverse electrical conductance of the thyroid cartilage produce waveforms that can be useful for monitoring movements within the larynx during voice production, especially movements that are closely related to the time-variation of the contact between the vocal folds as they vibrate. This paper compares the various approaches that can be used to apply such a device, usually referred to as an electroglottograph, to the problem of monitoring the time-variation of vocal fold abduction and adduction during voiced speech. One method, in which a measure of relative vocal fold abduction is derived from the duty cycle of the linear-phase high pass filtered electroglottograph waveform, is developed in detail.

Nonlinear Vocal Fold Dynamics in a Two-Mass Model of Speech Arising From Asymmetric Intraglottal Flow

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron D. Erath ◽  
Matías Zañartu ◽  
Sean D. Peterson ◽  
Michael W. Plesniak
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Nonlinear Phenomena ◽  
Mass Model ◽  
Sustained Oscillations ◽  
Voiced Speech ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Vocal Fold Dynamics

Voiced speech is initiated as air is expelled from the lungs and passes through the vocal tract inciting self-sustained oscillations of the vocal folds. While various approaches exist for investigating both normal and pathological speech, the relative inaccessibility of the vocal folds make multi-mass speech models an attractive alternative. Their behavior has been benchmarked with excised larynx experiments, and they have been used as analysis tools for both normal and disordered speech, including investigations of paralysis, vocal tremor, and breathiness. However, during pathological speech, vocal fold motion is often unstructured, resulting in chaotic motion and a wealth of nonlinear phenomena. Unfortunately, current methodologies for multi-mass speech models are unable to replicate the nonlinear vocal fold behavior that often occurs in physiological diseased voice for realistic values of subglottal pressure.

scholarly journals Bayesian Inference of Vocal Fold Material Properties from Glottal Area Waveforms Using a 2D Finite Element Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 2735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Hadwin ◽  
Mohsen Motie-Shirazi ◽  
Byron D. Erath ◽  
Sean D. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Bayesian Estimation ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Lumped Element ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Contact Pressures

Bayesian estimation has been previously demonstrated as a viable method for developing subject-specific vocal fold models from observations of the glottal area waveform. These prior efforts, however, have been restricted to lumped-element fitting models and synthetic observation data. The indirect relationship between the lumped-element parameters and physical tissue properties renders extracting the latter from the former difficult. Herein we propose a finite element fitting model, which treats the vocal folds as a viscoelastic deformable body comprised of three layers. Using the glottal area waveforms generated by self-oscillating silicone vocal folds we directly estimate the elastic moduli, density, and other material properties of the silicone folds using a Bayesian importance sampling approach. Estimated material properties agree with the “ground truth” experimental values to within 3 % for most parameters. By considering cases with varying subglottal pressure and medial compression we demonstrate that the finite element model coupled with Bayesian estimation is sufficiently sensitive to distinguish between experimental configurations. Additional information not available experimentally, namely, contact pressures, are extracted from the developed finite element models. The contact pressures are found to increase with medial compression and subglottal pressure, in agreement with expectation.

Contribution of Glottic Insufficiency to Perceived Breathiness in Classically Trained Singers

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Graham ◽  
Vrushali Angadi ◽  
Joanna Sloggy ◽  
Joseph Stemple
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Airflow Rate ◽  
Singing Voice ◽  
Glottic Insufficiency ◽  
Maximum Phonation Time ◽  
Breath Management ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Glottal Insufficiency ◽  
Voice Students

Breathiness in the singing voice is problematic for classical singers. Voice students and singing teachers typically attribute breathiness to breath management issues and breathing technique. The present study sought to determine whether glottic insufficiency may also contribute to breathiness in a singer’s voice. Studies have revealed a relationship between insufficient vocal fold closure and inefficiency in the speaking voice. However, the effect of insufficient vocal fold closure on vocal efficiency in singers has yet to be determined. Two groups of voice students identified with and without breathiness issues underwent aerodynamic and acoustic voice assessment as well as laryngeal stroboscopy of the vocal folds to quantify the prevalence of insufficient vocal fold closure, also known as glottic insufficiency. These assessments revealed four groups: 1) those with glottic insufficiency and no perceived voice breathiness; 2) those with glottic sufficiency and perceived voice breathiness; 3) those with glottic insufficiency and perceived breathiness; and 4) those with glottic sufficiency and no perceived breathiness. Results suggest that previously undiscovered glottal insufficiency is common in young singers, particularly women, though the correlation with identified breathiness was not statistically significant. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures including noise-to-harmonics ratio, maximum phonation time, airflow rate, subglottal pressure, and laryngeal airway resistance were most sensitive to glottic insufficiency.

scholarly journals Investigating Blunt Force Trauma to the Larynx: The Role of Inferior-Superior Vocal Fold Displacement on Phonation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly E. Stewart ◽  
Byron D. Erath
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Vertical Displacement ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Vocal Function ◽  
Blunt Force ◽  
Blunt Force Trauma ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Vocal Effort

AbstractBlunt force trauma to the larynx, which may result from motor vehicle collisions, sports activities, etc., can cause significant damage, often leading to displaced fractures of the laryngeal cartilages, thereby disrupting vocal function. Current surgical interventions primarily focus on airway restoration to stabilize the patient, with restoration of vocal function usually being a secondary consideration. Due to laryngeal fracture, asymmetric vertical misalignment of the left or right vocal fold (VF) in the inferior-superior direction often occurs. This affects VF closure and can lead to a weak, breathy voice requiring increased vocal effort. It is unclear, however, how much vertical VF misalignment can be tolerated before voice quality degrades significantly. To address this need, the influence of inferior-superior VF displacement on phonation is investigated in 1.0 mm increments using synthetic, self-oscillating VF models in a physiologically-representative facility. Acoustic (SPL, frequency, H1-H2, jitter, and shimmer), kinematic (amplitude and phase differences), and aerodynamic parameters (flow rate and subglottal pressure) are investigated as a function of inferior-superior vertical displacement. Significant findings include that once the inferior-superior medial length of the VF is surpassed, sustained phonation degrades significantly, becoming severely pathological. If laryngeal reconstruction approaches can ensure VF contact is maintained during phonation (i.e., vertical displacement doesn’t surpass VF medial length), better vocal outcomes are expected.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Vocal Tract Characteristics for Acoustic Discrimination of Pathological Voices

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Won Lee ◽  
Hong-Goo Kang ◽  
Jeung-Yoon Choi ◽  
Young-Ik Son
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Cord ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Vocal Cord Paralysis ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Acoustic Discrimination ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis

This paper investigates the effectiveness of measures related to vocal tract characteristics in classifying normal and pathological speech. Unlike conventional approaches that mainly focus on features related to the vocal source, vocal tract characteristics are examined to determine if interaction effects between vocal folds and the vocal tract can be used to detect pathological speech. Especially, this paper examines features related to formant frequencies to see if vocal tract characteristics are affected by the nature of the vocal fold-related pathology. To test this hypothesis, stationary fragments of vowel /aa/ produced by 223 normal subjects, 472 vocal fold polyp subjects, and 195 unilateral vocal cord paralysis subjects are analyzed. Based on the acoustic-articulatory relationships, phonation for pathological subjects is found to be associated with measures correlated with a raised tongue body or an advanced tongue root. Vocal tract-related features are also found to be statistically significant from the Kruskal-Wallis test in distinguishing normal and pathological speech. Classification results demonstrate that combining the formant measurements with vocal fold-related features results in improved performance in differentiating vocal pathologies including vocal polyps and unilateral vocal cord paralysis, which suggests that measures related to vocal tract characteristics may provide additional information in diagnosing vocal disorders.

Simultaneous Tracking of Vocal Fold Superior Surface Motion and Glottal Jet Dynamics

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Nielson ◽  
David J. Daily ◽  
Tadd T. Truscott ◽  
Georg Luegmair ◽  
Michael Döllinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Particle Image ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
3D Flow ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Superior Surface ◽  
Multiple Cycles

Synthetic aperture particle image velocimetry is used with an excised human vocal fold model to study the airflow between the vocal folds during voice production. A whole field, time-resolved, 3D description of the flow is presented over multiple cycles of vocal fold oscillations. The 3D flow data are synchronized with a 3D reconstruction of the superior surface of the vocal folds and with the subglottal pressure signal.

scholarly journals Modeling the Pathophysiology of Phonotraumatic Vocal Hyperfunction With a Triangular Glottal Model of the Vocal Folds

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 2452-2471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel E. Galindo ◽  
Sean D. Peterson ◽  
Byron D. Erath ◽  
Christian Castro ◽  
Robert E. Hillman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Glottal Closure ◽  
Vocal Hyperfunction ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Lumped Element Model

Purpose Our goal was to test prevailing assumptions about the underlying biomechanical and aeroacoustic mechanisms associated with phonotraumatic lesions of the vocal folds using a numerical lumped-element model of voice production. Method A numerical model with a triangular glottis, posterior glottal opening, and arytenoid posturing is proposed. Normal voice is altered by introducing various prephonatory configurations. Potential compensatory mechanisms (increased subglottal pressure, muscle activation, and supraglottal constriction) are adjusted to restore an acoustic target output through a control loop that mimics a simplified version of auditory feedback. Results The degree of incomplete glottal closure in both the membranous and posterior portions of the folds consistently leads to a reduction in sound pressure level, fundamental frequency, harmonic richness, and harmonics-to-noise ratio. The compensatory mechanisms lead to significantly increased vocal-fold collision forces, maximum flow-declination rate, and amplitude of unsteady flow, without significantly altering the acoustic output. Conclusion Modeling provided potentially important insights into the pathophysiology of phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction by demonstrating that compensatory mechanisms can counteract deterioration in the voice acoustic signal due to incomplete glottal closure, but this also leads to high vocal-fold collision forces (reflected in aerodynamic measures), which significantly increases the risk of developing phonotrauma.

scholarly journals Subglottal pressure oscillations in anechoic and resonant conditions and their influence on excised larynx phonations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Lehoux ◽  
Vít Hampala ◽  
Jan G. Švec
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Voice Source ◽  
Resonance Frequencies ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Radiated Sound ◽  
Acoustic Resonances ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Excised Larynx

AbstractExcised larynges serve as natural models for studying behavior of the voice source. Acoustic resonances inside the air-supplying tubes below the larynx (i.e., subglottal space), however, interact with the vibratory behavior of the larynges and obscure their inherent vibration properties. Here, we explore a newly designed anechoic subglottal space which allows removing its acoustic resonances. We performed excised larynx experiments using both anechoic and resonant subglottal spaces in order to analyze and compare, for the very first time, the corresponding subglottal pressures, electroglottographic and radiated acoustic waveforms. In contrast to the resonant conditions, the anechoic subglottal pressure waveforms showed negligible oscillations during the vocal fold contact phase, as expected. When inverted, these waveforms closely matched the inverse filtered radiated sound waveforms. Subglottal resonances modified also the radiated sound pressures (Level 1 interactions). Furthermore, they changed the fundamental frequency (fo) of the vocal fold oscillations and offset phonation threshold pressures (Level 2 interactions), even for subglottal resonance frequencies 4–10 times higher than fo. The obtained data offer the basis for better understanding the inherent vibratory properties of the vocal folds, for studying the impact of structure-acoustic interactions on voice, and for validation of computational models of voice production.

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