Human Speech Development for an Implantable Artificial Larynx

1987 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Painter ◽  
John M. Fredrickson ◽  
Timothy Kaiser ◽  
Roanne Karzon
Keyword(s):  
Voice Quality ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Speech Development ◽  
Sound Sources ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Listening Tests ◽  
Artificial Larynx ◽  
Electrical Engineers ◽  
The Voice

An electromagnetic artificial larynx was implanted in two volunteer laryngectomees. Both patients were able to communicate well, but the voice quality still needed improving. Therefore, in this investigation, listener judgments were obtained of 22 different sound sources with a view to incorporating the preferred speech sound in a new version of the device. Electroglottograms were used as sound sources in a speech synthesizer and sentences were produced with different voice qualities for judgmental tests. The results of the listening tests showed a distinct preference for waveforms corresponding to a long completely open phase, a very brief completely closed phase, and an abrupt closing gesture. The optimum acoustic characteristics for the device will be used by electrical engineers to manufacture a new version of the artificial larynx with an improved voice quality.

The Vocal Tract in Singing

2016 ◽  
pp. 144-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Story
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Excitation Source ◽  
Critical Importance ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Acoustic Resonances ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Vocal Tract Shape

Precise control of the vocal tract configuration is of critical importance for producing the desired acoustic characteristics of singing. The pattern of acoustic resonances generated by a given vocal tract shape influences vowel identity, voice quality (timbre), and, to some degree, the spectral characteristics of the voice excitation source itself. This chapter is broadly focused on how the vocal tract shape can be tuned (i.e., modified) in subtle ways to enhance the signal radiated from a singer to an audience. In particular, the vocal tract shape contributions to the “singing formant,” the enhancement of vibrato, and harmonic/formant alignment are discussed.

Acoustic Characteristics of the Voice for Brazilian Portuguese Speakers Across the Life Span

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Alves Spazzapan ◽  
Eliana Maria Gradim Fabron ◽  
Larissa Cristina Berti ◽  
Eduardo Federighi Baisi Chagas ◽  
Viviane Cristina de Castro Marino
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Brazilian Portuguese ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
The Voice

scholarly journals Optimising outcome assessment of voice interventions, II: sensitivity to change of self-reported and observer-rated measures

2007 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
I N Steen ◽  
K MacKenzie ◽  
P N Carding ◽  
A Webb ◽  
I J Deary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Health ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Voice Handicap Index ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Voice Therapy ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Responsiveness To Change

AbstractObjectives:A wide range of well validated instruments is now available to assess voice quality and voice-related quality of life, but comparative studies of the responsiveness to change of these measures are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the responsiveness to change of a range of different measures, following voice therapy and surgery.Design:Longitudinal, cohort comparison study.Setting:Two UK voice clinics.Participants:One hundred and forty-four patients referred for treatment of benign voice disorders, 90 undergoing voice therapy and 54 undergoing laryngeal microsurgery.Main outcome measures:Three measures of self-reported voice quality (the vocal performance questionnaire, the voice handicap index and the voice symptom scale), plus the short form 36 (SF 36) general health status measure and the hospital anxiety and depression score. Perceptual, observer-rated analysis of voice quality was performed using the grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale. We compared the effect sizes (i.e. responsiveness to change) of the principal subscales of all measures before and after voice therapy or phonosurgery.Results:All three self-reported voice measures had large effect sizes following either voice therapy or surgery. Outcomes were similar in both treatment groups. The effect sizes for the observer-rated grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale scores were smaller, although still moderate. The roughness subscale in particular showed little change after therapy or surgery. Only small effects were observed in general health and mood measures.Conclusion:The results suggest that the use of a voice-specific questionnaire is essential for assessing the effectiveness of voice interventions. All three self-reported measures tested were capable of detecting change, and scores were highly correlated. On the basis of this evaluation of different measures' sensitivities to change, there is no strong evidence to favour either the vocal performance questionnaire, the voice handicap index or the voice symptom scale.

Conversion from a non-indwelling to a Provox®2 indwelling voice prosthesis for speech rehabilitation: comparison of voice quality and patient preference

2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 815-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Vlantis ◽  
R. T. Gregor ◽  
H. Elliot ◽  
M. Oudes
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Patient Preference ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Voice Prosthesis ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Speech Rehabilitation ◽  
Perceptual Difference ◽  
The Voice

This prospective study assessed the advantages and problems associated with converting a patient using an older generation non-indwelling voice prosthesis to a newer generation indwelling voice prosthesis, in this case the Provox®2. The voice characteristics of each patient were measured using the old and then the new voice prosthesis. Technical aspects of the insertion of the indwelling prosthesis were noted. Each patient completed a questionnaire after a period of use with the indwelling prosthesis.Changing the prosthesis was simple and uncomplicated in 15 of 17 patients. Acoustic analysis showed improved parameters with the indwelling prosthesis, but no perceptual difference between the two prostheses. The questionnaire revealed that most patients preferred the indwelling prosthesis.Replacing a non-indwelling with an indwelling prosthesis is technically simple, leading to improvement in voice quality and patient satisfaction. It may be reasonable to offer this choice to patients currently using an older generation non-indwelling voice prosthesis.

scholarly journals The voice quality of sports coaches

Logopedija ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anđela Bučević ◽  
Ana Bonetti ◽  
Luka Bonetti
Keyword(s):  
Voice Quality ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Acoustic Method ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sports Coaches ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Female Coaches

The aim of this research paper was to examine the voice quality of sports coaches using the objective (acoustic) method. A total of 28 sports coaches (mean age 28.58, SD=5.08), from the City of Zagreb participated in this research. Recordings of the phonation of the vowel /a/ before and after one training session were obtained and analyzed using the PRAAT Program. Mean, minimal and maximal values of fundamental frequency, shimmer, jitter and harmonics-to-noise ratio were observed. The statistical analyses showed no statistically significant difference in acoustic voice quality of male and female coaches before and after the training session, or between male and female coaches. However, intra-individual differences among participants were observed, which may be significant in terms of their potential to affect the quality of their voices in the future.

scholarly journals Voice re-education and its evaluation through digital signal processing: A case study

Loquens ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 040
Author(s):  
Zulema Santana-López ◽  
Óscar Domínguez-Jaén ◽  
Jesús B. Alonso ◽  
María Del Carmen Mato-Carrodeguas
Keyword(s):  
Voice Quality ◽  
Quality Measurement ◽  
Digital Signal ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Voice Signal ◽  
Functional Dysphonia ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Voice Pathologies ◽  
The Voice

Voice pathologies, caused either by functional dysphonia or organic lesions, or even by just an inappropriate emission of the voice, may lead to vocal abuse, affecting significantly the communication process. The present study is based on the case of a single patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (Erb-Goldflam syndrome). In this case, this affection has caused, among other disruptions, a dysarthria. For its treatment, a technique for the education and re-education of the voice has been used, based on a resonator element: the cellophane screen. This article shows the results obtained in the patient after applying a vocal re-education technique called the Cimardi Method: the Cellophane Screen, which is a pioneering technique in this field. Changes in the patient’s voice signal have been studied before and after the application of the Cimardi Method in different domains of study: time-frequency, spectrum, and cepstrum. Moreover, parameters for voice quality measurement, such as shimmer, jitter and harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR), have been used to quantify the results obtained with the Cimardi Method. Once the results were analyzed, it has been observed that the Cimardi Method helps to produce a more natural and free vocal emission, which is very useful as a rehabilitation therapy for those people presenting certain vocal disorders.

scholarly journals Supporting Children With Speech Sound Disorders During COVID-19 Restrictions: Technological Solutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1805-1808
Author(s):  
Sharynne McLeod ◽  
Kirrie J. Ballard ◽  
Beena Ahmed ◽  
Nicole McGill ◽  
Michelle I. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
School Achievement ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Waiting Lists ◽  
Speech Development ◽  
Speech Pathology ◽  
Speech Sound Disorders ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Intervention ◽  
The Impact

Purpose “Children are the hidden victims of the COVID-19 pandemic” (United Nations Children's Fund, 2020). Timely and effective speech intervention is important to reduce the impact on children's school achievement, ability to make friends, mental health, future life opportunities, and government resources. Prior to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many Australian children did not receive sufficient speech-language pathology (SLP) services due to long waiting lists in the public health system. COVID-19 restrictions exacerbated this issue, as even children who were at the top of lengthy SLP waiting lists often received limited services, particularly in rural areas. To facilitate children receiving speech intervention remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding three technological solutions are examined: (a) Phoneme Factory Sound Sorter (Sound Start Study), (b) Waiting for Speech Pathology website, and (c) Apraxia World. Conclusions For the first two technological solutions, there were similar gains in speech production between the intervention and control groups, whereas, for the third solution, the average magnitude of treatment effect was comparable to face-to-face SLP therapy. Automated therapy management systems may be able to accelerate speech development and support communication resilience to counteract the effects of the COVID-19 restrictions on children with speech sound disorders. Technology-based strategies may also provide a potential solution to the chronic shortage of SLP services in rural areas into the future.

Non-Vocal Shaping of Avian Song Development: Parallels to Human Speech Development

Ethology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. King ◽  
Meredith J. West ◽  
Michael H. Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Speech Development ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Song Development ◽  
Avian Song
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