Survey of acoustic analysis of voice in healthy residents of Ukraine

Introduction: Acoustic analysis of voice is a method for assessing its quality, which has a relatively low cost. It quite simple to use, and is non-invasive. One of the programs of spectral analysis of voice is the program Praat, which allows to explore its acoustic characteristics and analyze the forms, also its allows to edit sound segments and print the spectrogram. The purpose: Investigate the acoustic parameters of the voice Ukrainians of different ages and genders and perform the calculation of reference intervals (RI) for these indicators. Material and methods: We had examined150 healthy Ukrainians aged 18 to 70. The study was performed using a Behringer C1U condenser microphone and Praat software (version 5.1.12.). The following acoustic characteristics of the voice were studied: the fundamental frequency of voice (F0) in Hz, the maximum phonation time (MPT) in seconds, the Harmonic to Noise Ratio (HNR) in dB, Jitter in%, Shimmer in%. Four groups were formed for the study: 1a – young women (18-44 years); 2a – young men (18-44 years); 1b – middle-aged women (45-59 years); 2b – middle-aged men (45-59 years). Results: Young and middle-aged men showed significantly higher MPT than women of relevant age. The value of MPT in women with age increased slightly, in men decreased slightly. RI for the indicator of MPT, in 1a group is 11,35-31,28 s, in 2a group – 15,55-39,53 s, in 1b group -14,30-33,01 s, and in 2b group –12,59-31,90 s. The value of F0 in young and middle-aged women is statistically higher than in men of the same age group (p <0.001). With age, this figure decreases slightly in women and men. RI for the indicator F0, in 1a group is 107,0-316,5 Hz, in 2a group – 94,1-139,3 Hz, in 1b group – 94,3-339,1 Hz, and in 2b group – 80,3 -174,3Hz.A comparative analysis of the HNR in young and middle-aged men didn’t show significant differences. In middle-aged women this value is significantly higher than in young women. RI for the HNR in group 1a is 14,194-26,946 dB; in group 2a – 17,328-28,675 dB; in group 1b -15,254-26,536 dB, and in group 2b – 13,545-30,368 dB. The Jitter index in men and young women does not differ statistically. This figure increases statistically in men with age, in women this rate the same level. RI for the Jitter in 1a group – 0,110-0,436%; in 2a group – 0,101-0,472%; in 1b group – 0,094-0,520% and in 2b group – 0,117-0,460%. A comparative analysis of Shimmer in men and young women didn't show significant differences, but in middle-aged women this figure decreased statistically compared to young women. In men, this figure has not changed with age. The RI for the Shimmer index is 1,974-14,128% in group 1a; 2,592-12,378% in group 2a; 2,008-6,788% in group 1b; 2,016-12,260% – In group 2b. Conclusions: Indicators of spectral analysis of voice in young and middle-aged women and men are relatively stable and do not change significantly in this time period.

Download Full-text

Impact of speech therapy on the improvement of voice quality in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis

Polski Przegląd Otorynolaryngologiczny ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0012.7783 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Anna Kuligowska ◽

Barbara Jamróz ◽

Joanna Chmielewska ◽

Katarzyna Jędra ◽

Tomasz Czernicki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vocal Fold ◽

Speech Therapy ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Vocal Tract ◽

Voice Quality ◽

Maximum Phonation Time ◽

Before And After ◽

Vocal Fold Palsy ◽

The Voice

Aim of study: Evaluation of the speech therapy on voice quality in patients with unilateral vocal fold palsy. Material and methods: The study group included 11 patients, 8 women and 3 men, in age between 16 to 72 years, with unilateral vocal fold palsy, diagnosed in ENT Department of Warsaw Medical University between 2017-2018. Each person completed questionnaires: the voice disability self-assessment scale (VHI), the voice-based quality of life (VRQoL) scale, the vocal tract discomfort scale (VTD). All questionnaires were completed twice, before and after the voice therapy. In addition, the acoustic analysis of the voice, the assessment of the maximum phonation time and the breathing tract were performed twice in each patient. Each of the patients had a voice rehabilitation consisting of a series of 10 meetings. Results: Statistical analysis of the results of maximum phonation time, the self-assessment of voice disability, the quality of life depending on the voice, discomfort of the vocal tract voice acoustic analysis showed statistically significant differences in the results before and after rehabilitation (p <0.005). In addition, the improvement of the respiratory tract was observed in the majority of patients. Conclusions: Speech therapy significantly affects the voice quality of patients with unilateral laryngeal nerve palsy.

Download Full-text

Acoustic, perceptual and aerodynamic voice evaluation in an obese population

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215113001916 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (10) ◽

pp. 987-990 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

S Celebi ◽

K Yelken ◽

O N Develioglu ◽

M Topak ◽

O Celik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Standard Deviation ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Voice Quality ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Voice Handicap Index ◽

Maximum Phonation Time ◽

The Mean ◽

Vocal Quality ◽

And Control ◽

The Voice

AbstractObjective:To investigate perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic voice parameters in obese individuals.Methods:Twenty obese and 20 normal-weight volunteers underwent voice evaluation by laryngoscopy, acoustic analysis, aerodynamic measurement and perceptual analysis (using the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain (‘GRBAS') scale and the Voice Handicap Index 10 scale). Data from both subject groups were compared.Results:No difference was found in acoustic analysis parameters between the two groups (p > 0.05). Maximum phonation time in the obese group (mean ± standard deviation, 19.6 ± 4.9 seconds) was significantly shorter than in controls (26.4 ± 4.1 seconds) (p < 0.001), although the s/z ratio was very similar between the two groups. In the obese and control groups, the mean ± standard deviation grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scores were 1 ± 1.3 and 0.2 ± 0.6 (p = 0.002) and the mean ± standard deviation Voice Handicap Index 10 scores were 0.5 ± 1.2 and 1.2 ± 1.7 (p = 0.27), respectively.Conclusion:Obese individuals had poorer vocal quality as judged by the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scale, and reduced maximum phonation time. However, there was no change in voice quality as assessed by acoustic analysis and Vocal Handicap Index 10 score, compared with controls.

Download Full-text

Characteristics of Speech and Voice as Predictors of the Quality of Communication in Adults with Hypokinetic Dysarthria

Serbian Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research ◽

10.2478/sjecr-2018-0081 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Ivana Arsenic ◽

Nadica Jovanovic Simic ◽

Mirjana Petrovic Lazic ◽

Ivana Sehovic ◽

Bojana Drljan

Keyword(s):

Spectral Analysis ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Significant Contribution ◽

Voice Disorder ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Acoustic Characteristics ◽

Hypokinetic Dysarthria ◽

The Impact ◽

The Voice

Abstract Hypokinetic dysarthria is characterized by a speech that gradually becomes monotonous, poorly modulated, quiet and ultimately unintelligible. The goal of this research is to determine the acoustic characteristics of voice and speech in adults with hypokinetic dysarthria and the impact of the altered voice on the quality of communication. The sample consisted of 30 elderly respondents of both genders with Parkinson’s disease and hypokinetic dysarthria. In order to conduct a spectral analysis, the voice of patients was recorded while they were reading phonetically balanced text. The respondents conducted a self-assessment of the degree of their own handicap caused by voice disorder and impact of the voice handicap by completing the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Statistically significant differences were determined in the position of some formants in respondents compared to the values of formants in typical speakers for the following vowels: F1 of the vowel /I/ and F2 of the vowels /E/, /I/, /O/ and /U/. By examining the relation between the score achieved on the VHI instrument and the value of formants, the only statistically significant correlation was achieved between the formant F1 of the vowel /A/ and functional and emotional subscale. By regression analysis used to determine the predictor of the quality of communication, it was confirmed that F1 of the vowel /A/ has a statistically significant contribution to the explanation of the score achieved on functional and emotional subscale, by explaining 15% of the functional subscale (Beta=−0,393 (11,30 – 47,37)) and 10% of the emotional subscale (Beta=−0,363 (−0,052 – 0,000)).

Download Full-text

Temporal pattern analysis of voicing in children with and without alterations in sonority feature

Revista CEFAC ◽

10.1590/1982-0216/201921616718 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Liliane Ramone ◽

Silvana de Coelho Frota

Keyword(s):

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Voice Onset Time ◽

Onset Time ◽

Brazilian Portuguese ◽

Control Group ◽

Production Test ◽

Acoustic Characteristics ◽

Significance Level ◽

Minimal Pairs ◽

The Voice

ABSTRACT Purpose: to compare acoustic characteristics of stop consonants in speakers of Brazilian Portuguese with and without alterations in speech referring to voicing feature. Methods: out of 66 children assessed, 18 were selected for this study, aged from 9 to 12 years, distributed in Control Group, 8 without language alterations, and Deviation Group, 10 children with alterations in speech, regarding sonority features. Participants with hearing loss, with cognitive deficit, left-handed ones or using neurological medication, were excluded. The following tests were performed: tonal audiometry, ABFW speech test, and a PowerPoint interactive production test, which was developed by the author for this study, with the purpose of comparing the minimal pairs in words. At the end, the acoustic analysis was conducted, by using the PRAAT program. The acoustic characteristics of stops related to total and relative duration of voice onset time were compared in the two groups and analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test, with a significance level lower than 0.05. Results: significant differences were observed in the duration of the voice onset time between the two groups, such as the increase in absolute voice onset time in the Deviation Group in voiced stops, and reduction in absolute onset time in voiceless stops. The relative voice onset time presented significant differences between the two groups only in voiceless stops. Conclusion: Brazilian Portuguese speakers with alteration in their sonority feature showed an acoustic pattern different from that of other speakers, regarding the voice onset time.

Download Full-text

Acoustic analysis of tracheo-oesophageal voice in male total laryngectomy patients

Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/147870811x13137608454975 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 93 (7) ◽

pp. 523-527 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

N Deore ◽

S Datta ◽

RC Dwivedi ◽

R Palav ◽

R Shah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Laryngectomy ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Normal Subjects ◽

Maximum Phonation Time ◽

Alaryngeal Speech ◽

Prosthetic Valves ◽

Single Voice ◽

The Voice ◽

Normal Speech ◽

Normal Controls

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to test the null hypothesis that voice parameters of post-laryngectomy patients using tracheo-oesophageal (TO) prosthetic valves are similar to those of normal laryngeal subjects. METHODS Thirty total laryngectomy patients and thirty normal controls were subjected to acoustic analysis of single voice recordings using a sustained vowel. Acoustic parameters including fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio and maximum phonation time were analysed. RESULTS Poorer values were found as well as larger variability for all the voice parameters for the total laryngectomy patients using TO voice compared with those of normal subjects. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) for all studied parameters between the TO and normal speech. CONCLUSIONS Alaryngeal speech with TO voice prosthesis is not yet comparable to laryngeal speech.

Download Full-text

Acoustic characteristics of voice in voice professionals with hypotonic dysphonia

Russian otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.18692/1810-4800-2021-4-58-63 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 58-63

Author(s):

Yu. E. Stepanova ◽

◽

M. V. Mokhotaeva ◽

A. A. Korneenkov ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Acoustic Characteristics ◽

Spi Index ◽

Functional Dysphonia ◽

Vocal Apparatus ◽

Frequency Components ◽

Software And Hardware ◽

Resonator System ◽

Multi Speech ◽

The Voice

The article presents the results of a study of the acoustic characteristics of the voice in voice professionals and non-voice professionals. We examined 80 people aged 23 to 45 years with functional dysphonia of the hypotonic type, who applied to the phoniatric office of the St. Petersburg Research Institute of ENT. Of these, 23 were professional vocalists, 12 were representatives of speech professions, and 45 were non-professional voices. First, the phoniatrist examined the larynx and assessed its condition with video endostroboscopy (K. Storz) or video pharyngolaryngoscopy (VIVIDEO, KayPentax). Objective acoustic analysis was performed using the Multi-Speech software and hardware complex and the MDVP software (KayPentax). The numerical and graphical expressions of the following parameters were evaluated: noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR), voice turbulence index (VTI), and soft phonation index (SPI). The results of the study showed that the SPI index is the most informative in assessing hoarseness in patients with hypotonic functional dysphonia. The lower values of this indicator in vocalists can be explained by the presence of a sufficiently developed resonator system of the vocal apparatus, which is reflected in the amplification of the high-frequency components of the voice spectrum.

Download Full-text

Acoustic Analysis of Voice Signal of Patients with Unilateral Laryngeal Paralysis a View to Objective Evaluation after Rehabilitation

Traitement du signal ◽

10.18280/ts.380508 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 1339-1344

Author(s):

Mahraz Kabache ◽

Mhania Guerti

Keyword(s):

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Objective Evaluation ◽

Hospital Environment ◽

Voice Rehabilitation ◽

Acoustic Characteristics ◽

Laryngeal Paralysis ◽

Voice Signal ◽

Physical Measurements ◽

The Voice ◽

Pathological Voice

We propose in this study an acoustic analysis called objective, based on physical measurements, to extract the acoustic characteristics of the voice of patients with Unilateral Laryngeal Paralysis. Our experiments were made at the Otorhinolaryngology service of the hospital of Bab El Oued. Algiers. (Algeria). In this work, an acoustic analysis of the vocal signal is based on measurements of the instability of the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations of the vocal cords. The results obtained are compared with those of a group of reference of subjects who normally speak. The study of the results obtained by the acoustic analysis of the pathological voice during the rehabilitation phase shows a strong correlation of the acoustic parameters between the pathological voice and the reference one. The exclusive use of hearing to evaluate the effect of voice rehabilitation in the Algerian hospital environment remains insufficient. It is important to correlate the perceptual information with the interpreted acoustic measurements, in a manner to be able to develop a therapeutic project appropriate to the patient’s expectations and difficulties.

Download Full-text

Initial Consanant Voicing Perturbation of the Fundamental Frequency of Oral Vowels and Nasal Vowels: A Controversial Case from Ban Doi Pwo Karen

MANUSYA ◽

10.1163/26659077-01502003 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 39-59

Author(s):

Phanintra Teeranon

Keyword(s):

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Age Groups ◽

Vowel Duration ◽

Analysis Method ◽

Acoustic Characteristics ◽

Nasal Vowels ◽

Younger Age ◽

The Mean ◽

The Voice

This paper aims to analyze the acoustic characteristics of initial consonant voicing perturbation of the fundamental frequency of oral vowels and nasal vowels of Ban Doi Pwo Karen. Three age groups of informants were selected: over-sixty years old (>60), middle aged (35-45), and under-twenty years old (<20). The acoustic analysis method was employed to analyze the mean vowel duration (msec), mean vowel amplitude (dB), and mean vowel fundamental frequency (Hz). The results show that voiceless initial consonants tend to cause a lower fundamental frequency than that of the voiced initial consonants. This has excited controversy concerning the tonogenesis theory of initial voicing perturbation on vowels. However, it was later found that the vowels followed by voiceless initial consonants were breathy and it was the voice register of vowels that caused the low fundamental frequency values. In contrast to other studies, the nasal vowels were not always higher in fundamental frequency when compared to oral vowels. In all age groups, nasal vowels following either voiceless or voiced consonants were found to be higher in fundamental frequency than oral vowels, except in the younger age group where the fundamental frequency of nasal vowels following voiced consonants was lower than that of the oral vowels following voiced consonants.

Download Full-text