scholarly journals Estimation of Subglottal Pressure, Vocal Fold Collision Pressure, and Intrinsic Laryngeal Muscle Activation From Neck-Surface Vibration Using a Neural Network Framework and a Voice Production Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiro J. Ibarra ◽  
Jesús A. Parra ◽  
Gabriel A. Alzamendi ◽  
Juan P. Cortés ◽  
Víctor M. Espinoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Vocal Function ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Laryngeal Muscle ◽  
Surface Vibration ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Collision Pressure

The ambulatory assessment of vocal function can be significantly enhanced by having access to physiologically based features that describe underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in individuals with voice disorders. This type of enhancement can improve methods for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of behaviorally based voice disorders. Unfortunately, the direct measurement of important vocal features such as subglottal pressure, vocal fold collision pressure, and laryngeal muscle activation is impractical in laboratory and ambulatory settings. In this study, we introduce a method to estimate these features during phonation from a neck-surface vibration signal through a framework that integrates a physiologically relevant model of voice production and machine learning tools. The signal from a neck-surface accelerometer is first processed using subglottal impedance-based inverse filtering to yield an estimate of the unsteady glottal airflow. Seven aerodynamic and acoustic features are extracted from the neck surface accelerometer and an optional microphone signal. A neural network architecture is selected to provide a mapping between the seven input features and subglottal pressure, vocal fold collision pressure, and cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscle activation. This non-linear mapping is trained solely with 13,000 Monte Carlo simulations of a voice production model that utilizes a symmetric triangular body-cover model of the vocal folds. The performance of the method was compared against laboratory data from synchronous recordings of oral airflow, intraoral pressure, microphone, and neck-surface vibration in 79 vocally healthy female participants uttering consecutive /pæ/ syllable strings at comfortable, loud, and soft levels. The mean absolute error and root-mean-square error for estimating the mean subglottal pressure were 191 Pa (1.95 cm H2O) and 243 Pa (2.48 cm H2O), respectively, which are comparable with previous studies but with the key advantage of not requiring subject-specific training and yielding more output measures. The validation of vocal fold collision pressure and laryngeal muscle activation was performed with synthetic values as reference. These initial results provide valuable insight for further vocal fold model refinement and constitute a proof of concept that the proposed machine learning method is a feasible option for providing physiologically relevant measures for laboratory and ambulatory assessment of vocal function.

scholarly journals Toward Development of a Vocal Fold Contact Pressure Probe: Bench-Top Validation of a Dual-Sensor Probe Using Excised Human Larynx Models

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (20) ◽  
pp. 4360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryush D. Mehta ◽  
James B. Kobler ◽  
Steven M. Zeitels ◽  
Matías Zañartu ◽  
Byron D. Erath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Sustained Oscillation ◽  
Pressure Probe ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Dual Sensor ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Collision Pressure

A critical element in understanding voice production mechanisms is the characterization of vocal fold collision, which is widely considered a primary etiological factor in the development of common phonotraumatic lesions such as nodules and polyps. This paper describes the development of a transoral, dual-sensor intraglottal/subglottal pressure probe for the simultaneous measurement of vocal fold collision and subglottal pressures during phonation using two miniature sensors positioned 7.6 mm apart at the distal end of a rigid cannula. Proof-of-concept testing was performed using excised whole-mount and hemilarynx human tissue aerodynamically driven into self-sustained oscillation, with systematic variation of the superior–inferior positioning of the vocal fold collision sensor. In the hemilarynx experiment, signals from the pressure sensors were synchronized with an acoustic microphone, a tracheal-surface accelerometer, and two high-speed video cameras recording at 4000 frames per second for top–down and en face imaging of the superior and medial vocal fold surfaces, respectively. As expected, the intraglottal pressure signal exhibited an impulse-like peak when vocal fold contact occurred, followed by a broader peak associated with intraglottal pressure build-up during the de-contacting phase. As subglottal pressure was increased, the peak amplitude of the collision pressure increased and typically reached a value below that of the average subglottal pressure. Results provide important baseline vocal fold collision pressure data with which computational models of voice production can be developed and in vivo measurements can be referenced.

scholarly journals Interaction Between the Thyroarytenoid and Lateral Cricoarytenoid Muscles in the Control of Vocal Fold Adduction and Eigenfrequencies

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yin ◽  
Zhaoyan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Cricoid Cartilage ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Anterior Portion ◽  
Posterior Portion ◽  
Laryngeal Muscle

Although it is known vocal fold adduction is achieved through laryngeal muscle activation, it is still unclear how interaction between individual laryngeal muscle activations affects vocal fold adduction and vocal fold stiffness, both of which are important factors determining vocal fold vibration and the resulting voice quality. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model was developed to investigate vocal fold adduction and changes in vocal fold eigenfrequencies due to the interaction between the lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA) and thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles. The results showed that LCA contraction led to a medial and downward rocking motion of the arytenoid cartilage in the coronal plane about the long axis of the cricoid cartilage facet, which adducted the posterior portion of the glottis but had little influence on vocal fold eigenfrequencies. In contrast, TA activation caused a medial rotation of the vocal folds toward the glottal midline, resulting in adduction of the anterior portion of the glottis and significant increase in vocal fold eigenfrequencies. This vocal fold-stiffening effect of TA activation also reduced the posterior adductory effect of LCA activation. The implications of the results for phonation control are discussed.

Phonomicrosurgery in Vocal Fold Nodules: Quantification of Outcomes in Professional and Non-Professional Voice Users

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp P Caffier ◽  
Tatjana Salmen ◽  
Tatiana Ermakova ◽  
Eleanor Forbes ◽  
Seo-Rin Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Prospective Clinical Study ◽  
Vocal Function ◽  
Professional Voice Users ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Voice Range ◽  
Professional Voice ◽  
Vocal Fold Nodules

There are few data demonstrating the specific extent to which surgical intervention for vocal fold nodules (VFN) improves vocal function in professional (PVU) and non-professional voice users (NVU). The objective of this study was to compare and quantify results after phonomicrosurgery for VFN in these patient groups. METHODS: In a prospective clinical study, surgery was performed via microlaryngoscopy in 37 female patients with chronic VFN manifestations (38±12 yrs, mean±SD). Pre- and postoperative evaluations of treatment efficacy comprised videolaryngostroboscopy, auditory-perceptual voice assessment, voice range profile (VRP), acoustic-aerodynamic analysis, and voice handicap index (VHI-9i). The dysphonia severity index (DSI) was compared with the vocal extent measure (VEM). RESULTS: PVU (n=24) and NVU (n=13) showed comparable laryngeal findings and levels of suffering (VHI-9i 16±7 vs 17±8), but PVU had a better pretherapeutic vocal range (26.8±7.4 vs 17.7±5.1 semitones, p<0.001) and vocal capacity (VEM 106±18 vs 74±29, p<0.01). Three months postoperatively, all patients had straight vocal fold edges, complete glottal closure, and recovered mucosal wave propagation. The mean VHI-9i score decreased by 8±6 points. DSI increased from 4.0±2.4 to 5.5±2.4, and VEM from 95±27 to 108±23 (p<0.001). Both parameters correlated significantly (rs=0.82). The average vocal range increased by 4.1±5.3 semitones, and the mean speaking pitch lowered by 0.5±1.4 semitones. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that phonomicrosurgery for VFN is a safe therapy for voice improvement in both PVU and NVU who do not respond to voice therapy alone. Top-level artistic capabilities in PVU were restored, but numeric changes of most vocal parameters were considerably larger in NVU.

Effects of Levodopa on Laryngeal Muscle Activity for Voice Onset and Offset in Parkinson Disease

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1284-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Gallena ◽  
Paul J. Smith ◽  
Thomas Zeffiro ◽  
Christy L. Ludlow
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Laryngeal Muscle ◽  
Idiopathic Parkinson Disease ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Research Volunteers ◽  
Thyroarytenoid Muscle

The laryngeal pathophysiology underlying the speech disorder in idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) was addressed in this electromyographic study of laryngeal muscle activity. This muscle activity was examined during voice onset and offset gestures in 6 persons in the early stages of IPD who were not receiving medication. The purpose was to determine (a) if impaired voice onset and offset control for speech and vocal fold bowing were related to abnormalities in laryngeal muscle activity in the nonmedicated state and (b) if these attributes change with levodopa. Blinded listeners rated the IPD participants' voice onset and offset control before and after levodopa was administered. In the nonmedi-cated state, the IPD participants' vocal fold bowing was examined on nasoendo-scopy, and laryngeal muscle activity levels were compared with normal research volunteers. The IPD participants were then administered a therapeutic dose of levodopa, and changes in laryngeal muscle activity for voice onset and offset gestures were measured during the same session. Significant differences were found between IPD participants in the nonmedicated state:those with higher levels of muscle activation had vocal fold bowing and greater impairment in voice onset and offset control for speech. Similarly, following levodopa administration, those with thyroarytenoid muscle activity reductions had greater improvements in voice onset and offset control for speech. In this study, voice onset and offset control ifficulties and vocal fold bowing were associated with increased levels of aryngeal muscle activity in the absence of medication.

An Experimental Study of Pulsatile Flow in Canine Larynges

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Alipour ◽  
R. C. Scherer ◽  
V. C. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Pulsatile Flow ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Volume Flow Rate ◽  
Air Velocity ◽  
Sustained Oscillations ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Oscillation Frequencies

Pulsatile flow in an excised canine larynx was investigated with simultaneous recordings of air velocity, subglottal pressure, volume flow rate, and the signal from an electro-glottograph (EGG) for various conditions of phonation. Canine larynges were mounted on a pseudotrachea and sustained oscillations were established and maintained with sutures attached to cartilages to mimic the function of laryngeal muscles. The pitch and amplitude of the oscillations were controlled by varying the airflow, and by adjusting glottal adduction and vocal-fold elongation. Measurements with hot-wire probes suggest that subglottal inlet flow to the larynx is pulsatile but mostly laminar, while the exiting jet is non-uniform and turbulent. In the typical ranges of flow rate, subglottal pressure, and oscillation frequencies, the Reynolds number based on the mean glottal velocity and glottal hydraulic diameter varied between 1600 to 7000, the Strouhal number based on the same parameters varied between 0.002 and 0.032, and the Womersley number ranged from 2.6 to 15.9. These results help define the conditions required for computational models of laryngeal flow.

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.

Physiological Assessment of Speech and Voice Production of Adults With Hearing Loss

1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 510-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen B. Higgins ◽  
Arlene E. Carney ◽  
Laura Schulte
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Profound Hearing Loss ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Intraoral Pressure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Abnormal Behaviors

The purpose of this investigation was to study the impact of hearing loss on phonatory, velopharyngeal, and articulatory functioning using a comprehensive physiological approach. Electroglottograph (EGG), nasal/oral air flow, and intraoral air pressure signals were recorded simultaneously from adults with impaired and normal hearing as they produced syllables and words of varying physiological difficulty. The individuals with moderate-to-profound hearing loss had good to excellent oral communication skills. Intraoral pressure, nasal air flow, durations of lip, velum, and vocal fold articulations, estimated subglottal pressure, mean phonatory air flow, fundamental frequency, and EGG abduction quotient were compared between the two subject groups. Data from the subjects with hearing loss also were compared across aided and unaided conditions to investigate the influence of auditory feedback on speech motor control. The speakers with hearing loss had significantly higher intraoral pressures, subglottal pressures, laryngeal resistances, and fundamental frequencies than those with normal hearing. There was notable between-subject variability. All of the individuals with profound hearing loss had at least one speech/voice physiology measure that fell outside of the normal range, and most of the subjects demonstrated unique clusters of abnormal behaviors. Abnormal behaviors were more evident in the phonatory than articulatory or velopharyngeal systems and were generally consistent with vocal fold hyperconstriction. There was evidence from individual data that vocal fold posturing influenced articulatory timing. The results did not support the idea that the speech production skills of adults with moderate-to-profound hearing loss who are good oral communicators deteriorate when there are increased motoric demands on the velopharyngeal and phonatory mechanism. Although no significant differences were found between the aided and unaided conditions, 7 of 10 subjects showed the same direction of change for subglottal pressure, intraoral pressure, nasal air flow, and the duration of lip and vocal fold articulations. We conclude that physiological assessments provide important information about the speech/voice production abilities of individuals with moderate-to-profound hearing loss and are a valuable addition to standard assessment batteries.

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.

Vocal Fold Atrophy: Quantitative Glottic Measurement and Vocal Function

1997 ◽  
Vol 106 (7) ◽  
pp. 544-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichi Omori ◽  
Hisayoshi Kojima ◽  
David H. Slavit ◽  
Ashutosh Kacker ◽  
Carlos Matos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
High Frequency Power ◽  
H Index ◽  
Vocal Function ◽  
Vocal Fold Atrophy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Frequency Power

Videostroboscopic glottic measurements and vocal function were evaluated in 41 vocal fold atrophy patients with bowed vocal folds. The amount of bowing in the resting position and the glottal gap area and vibratory amplitude during phonation were measured from digitized videostroboscopic images. Vibratory amplitude was not decreased on atrophic vocal folds. With the same amount of total bowing, the glottal gap area for bilateral atrophy was smaller than for unilateral atrophy. These results suggest that vocal fold atrophy is not disadvantageous to thyroplasty type I, and that bilateral procedures may produce a better outcome than a unilateral procedure in the treatment of bilateral atrophy. Acoustic, aerodynamic, and perceptual parameters of vocal function were measured. The acoustic high-frequency power ratio and the H-index correlated with the glottal gap area. The mean flow rate correlated with the amount of bowing. The degree of dysphonia was related to the size of the glottal gap and bowing.

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