Do Flexible Silicone Tubes Immersed in Water Combined With Vocalise Improve the Immediate Effect on Voice?

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the immediate effect on a singer's voice of a flexible silicone tube immersed in water combined with ascending and descending vocalise scales compared with ascending and descending vocalise scales alone. Method: A pre- and post-intervention quasi-experimental study was conducted. Thirty adult singers between 18 and 45 years old with no laryngeal disorders performed the two techniques for 3 min each on different days. Acoustic measurements of frequency, jitter, shimmer, glottal-to-noise excitation ratio, noise, smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS), maximum phonation time (MPT), voice range profile, and self-perceived vocal effort (Borg Category Ratio 10-BR Scale adapted for vocal effort) were assessed before and after performing the techniques. Results: The results indicated an increase in singers' CPPS and MPT values and a decrease in shimmer and noise when performing with a flexible silicone tube immersed in water combined with vocalise. The singers reported a perception of decreased vocal effort after both methods. However, the diminished perceived vocal effort became more pronounced with the tube phonation technique combined with vocalise. Conclusions: Phonation in tubes combined with vocalise improved the vocal acoustic parameters (including cepstral measurements), increased MPT, and diminished perceived vocal effort. Although using vocalise alone diminished perceived vocal effort, this decrease was more pronounced in the tube phonation technique combined with vocalise.

Correlation Between Objective and Subjective High-Pitched Voice Impairment in Patients After Thyroid Surgery

ObjectivesHigh-pitched voice impairment (HPVI) is not uncommon in patients without recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) or external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) injury after thyroidectomy. This study evaluated the correlation between subjective and objective HPVI in patients after thyroid surgery.MethodsThis study analyzed 775 patients without preoperative subjective HPVI and underwent neuromonitored thyroidectomy with normal RLN/EBSLN function. Multi-dimensional voice program, voice range profile and Index of voice and swallowing handicap of thyroidectomy (IVST) were performed during the preoperative(I) period and the immediate(II), short-term(III) and long-term(IV) postoperative periods. The severity of objective HPVI was categorized into four groups according to the decrease in maximum frequency (Fmax): <20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, and >60%. Subjective HPVI was evaluated according to the patient’s answers on the IVST.ResultsAs the severity of objective HPVI increased, patients were significantly more to receive bilateral surgery (p=0.002) and have subjective HPVI (p<0.001), and there was no correlation with IVST scores. Among 211(27.2%) patients with subjective HPVI, patients were significantly more to receive bilateral surgery (p=0.003) and central neck dissection(p<0.001). These patients had very similar trends for Fmax, pitch range, and mean fundamental frequency as patients with 20-40% Fmax decrease (p>0.05) and had higher Jitter, Shimmer, and IVST scores than patients in any of the objective HPVI groups; subjective HPVI lasted until period-IV.ConclusionThe factors that affect a patient’s subjective HPVI are complex, and voice stability (Jitter and Shimmer) is no less important than the Fmax level. When patients have subjective HPVI without a significant Fmax decrease after thyroid surgery, abnormal voice stability should be considered and managed. Fmax and IVST scores should be interpreted comprehensively, and surgeons and speech-language pathologists should work together to identify patients with HPVI early and arrange speech therapy for them. Regarding the process of fibrosis formation, anti-adhesive material application and postoperative intervention for HPVI require more future research.

Two Cases Using the Praat-Based Automatic Voice Analysis Program as an Alternative to CSL

There are a number of voice analysis programs around the world. Domestic voice analysis is performed by relying heavily on specific commercial program. We intend to develop coding for voice analysis using Praat and apply it to clinical practice. This study consisted of Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. Experiment 1 was the development of automated voice analysis coding based on Praat. The coding was largely divided into a recording, an analysis, and a storage section. Experiment 2 was applied to the voice analysis of 2 male patients pre- and post-operation with this coding. The analysis parameters of this coding provided 26 parameters for vowel /a/, nine parameters for sentence analysis, and a total of 4 parameters for voice range profile analysis. In two male patients, the pitch and the intensity increased, the voice quality improved, and the sentence length decreased after surgery. The coding was well made, so the output was good in real time. The code is automated as much as possible to block manual errors and increases convenience and efficiency by generating the result sheet in real time.

Quantitative and Qualitative Electroglottographic Wave Shape Differences in Children and Adults Using Voice Map–Based Analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the extent to which various measurements of contacting parameters differ between children and adults during habitual range and overlap vocal frequency/intensity, using voice map–based assessment of noninvasive electroglottography (EGG). Method EGG voice maps were analyzed from 26 adults (22–45 years) and 22 children (4–8 years) during connected speech and vowel /a/ over the habitual range and the overlap vocal frequency/intensity from the voice range profile task on the vowel /a/. Mean and standard deviations of contact quotient by integration, normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, and cycle-rate sample entropy were obtained. Group differences were evaluated using the linear mixed model analysis for the habitual range connected speech and the vowel, whereas analysis of covariance was conducted for the overlap vocal frequency/intensity from the voice range profile task. Presence of a “knee” on the EGG wave shape was determined by visual inspection of the presence of convexity along the decontacting slope of the EGG pulse and the presence of the second derivative zero-crossing. Results The contact quotient by integration, normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, and cycle-rate sample entropy were significantly different in children compared to (a) adult males for habitual range and (b) adult males and adult females for the overlap vocal frequency/intensity. None of the children had a “knee” on the decontacting slope of the EGG slope. Conclusion EGG parameters of contact quotient by integration, normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, cycle-rate sample entropy, and absence of a “knee” on the decontacting slope characterize the wave shape differences between children and adults, whereas the normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, cycle-rate sample entropy, and presence of a “knee” on the downward pulse slope characterize the wave shape differences between adult males and adult females. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15057345

Impact of hydration on vocal loading using phonetogram measures

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Vocal loading is a phenomenon that affects the vocal folds and voice parameters. Prolonged vocal loading may cause vocal fatigue. Hydration is one of the easiest precautions to reduce the effect of vocal loading. Voice range profile is an analysis of a participant’s vocal intensity and fundamental frequency ranges. Speech range profile is a graphical display of frequency intensity interactions occurring during functional speech activity. Phonetogram software can analyse VRP and SRP.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Total sixty normophonic participants (thirty male and thirty female) were included in this study. Phonetogram, version 4.40 by Tiger DRS, software used to measure the voice range profile and speech range profile. For VRP, participants were asked to produce vowel /a/ and a passage reading task was given for SRP measurement.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> All sample recording were done at pre vocal loading task, VLT and after hydration. Parameter that were used to measure the effects were Fo-range, semitone, max-F, min-F, SPL range, max-I, min-I, area (dB). Result showed that after VLT all other parameters like Fo-range, semitone, max-F, min-F, SPL range, max-I, min-I, area (dB) in VRP and SRP were reduced except min-F VRP in male, min-I VRP and min-I SRP in both male and female participants. After hydration all other parameters were improved except max-F VRP and min-F VRP in female, max-I VRP, min-F VRP and area VRP.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study concluded that vocal loading has negative impact on vocal fold tissue and mass. </p>

Comparison of Four Different Warm-up Tasks, Using Special Tools Also

"Introduction: In our investigation, we compared four different warming-up sections on the singing voice, always using the same task-melodies. In the first section, we used traditionally only “on vowel articulation based” – called vocalization – tasks. In the second section we used resonant tube, which is used for voice therapy mostly. In the third sections, the participants used the melodies for humming. In the fours we used - by us developed - unusual tool, called “nose-pipe” for singing voice warm-up. The theoretical basis of the first section is the so-called “linear-model” of the singing phenomenon, why the basis of the further three sections is the “non-linear” models as well as also the experiences of the SOVT (semi-occluded vocal tract) exercises, and practice. Methods: on all the four sections the same 33 people took part. 20 of them were females and 13 males. All the participants attended several years of classical singing education. We organized four independent sections one-week apart. The participants came on the sections without previous warming-up for the singing voice. Before the warming-up at first, we recorded three vowels – [y, u, ɒ] (according to IPA) – for females on G4, for males on G3 - sustaining for longer than 2 second-long, with comfortable volume, then came the 20’-25’ minutes long warming-up procedures. After the procedure, we repeated the recordings of the same vowels on the same pitches. For every warming-up procedure we used the same melodies. Recording the sustained vowels we used TASCAM DR-07 MKII equipment. With the help of a stage, the microphones were held before the mouth of every participant, at the same – 10cm – distance. For generating the FFT figure of the sound image and for analyzing we used SIGVIEW 2.4., to appreciate the values of the parameters we used the SPSS 20 software. We analyzed one-second-long part – in sound level well balanced - of the records. The investigated parameters were: mean of the FFT signal between 0-21kHz, 0-12kHz as well as 2-4 kHz; number from the noise overriding overtones; the volume of f0, and H1H7 overtones. We detected also during the warm-ups reached voice ranges. Results: according to our results all the sections have beneficial effects on the singing voice. Most of the significant effects on the analyzed parameters have the humming and the nose-pipe sections by every vowel. The reached voice range was the longest at the fours, nose-pipe section. Conclusion: we can enhance that each of the four sections is useful. The combined, conscious application of them is correct. Using the new tool – called nose pipe – has dominant preference for developing the voice range of the singing voice. Keywords: vocalization, resonant tube, humming, nose-pipe, voice range "

THE POTENTIAL AND WORKING VOCAL RANGE OF GIRLS AGED 6 TO 12

Aim of this study is to determine the potential and working vocal range in the results of objective and subjective voice range evaluation in elementary school girls – solo singers. Theoretical part contains review of other authors’ studies related to child’s voice range from 6 to 12 years. Practical part of the study offered making of the phonetogram by using Voice Range Profile software (CSL 4500, Kay Pentax, USA) as an objective method for voice range evaluation. For subjective voice analysis, a voice range evaluation in form of vocal exercises was performed. It is understood that the objective voice evaluation reflects the potential of girls’ voice range, while the subjective evaluation – current working voice range. Fourteen girls attending solo singing classes were part of this study (medium age: 9.14 years; SD: 1.79 years; age range: 6-12 years). Three study groups were formed: 6-8 year old girls (n = 5); 9-10 year old girls (n=5); 11-12 year old girls (n=4). In 6-8 year old girls, VRP was from sol# (204.31 Hz, SD: 26, 05) to do3 (1047.72, SD: 409.70), but in subjective voice range evaluation, it was from la (220.28 Hz, SD: 18.88) to fa2 (775.90 Hz, SD: 70.64). In the group from 9-10 year old girls VRP range was from fa (171.25 Hz, SD: 16.03) to re#3 (1224.47 Hz, SD: 156.12), but current working voice range was from sol (208.79 Hz, SD: 24.90) to sol#2 (842.20 Hz, SD: 132.80). In 11-12 years old girls objective VRP results were fa# (186.54 Hz, SD: 27.76) to re#3 (1277.61 Hz, SD: 80.09), while from sol (208.23 Hz, SD: 12.16) to si2 (933.46 Hz, SD: 175.22) the work range was. In discussion part findings by other authors are compared to the objective and subjective voice range data acquired in this study. It is concluded that potential child’s voice range in girls 6-12 years of age exceeds two octaves yet working range reaches up to two octaves.

A Mandarin Chinese Reading Passage for Eliciting Significant Vocal Range Variations

Purpose There is a lack of standardized Mandarin reading text material that could potentially elicit significant variations in fundamental frequency (F0) and in vocal intensity for clinical voice evaluation. In this study, a phonetically balanced “Three Bears Passage” was developed based on the classical “Goldilocks” story for this purpose. The hypothesis was that the vocal range (F0 range and Intensity range) elicited while reading aloud the passage could be similar to that of the voice range profile (VRP) obtained with sustained vowel production and significantly different from that while reading an existing standard Mandarin passage. Method One hundred twenty young adults (60 men and 60 women, aged 25.22 ± 3.74 years) without vocal pathologies and vocal training participated in the study. Vocal range data, including F0-related measures and intensity-related measures, were obtained with Praat in order to construct VRPs for the sustained /a/ and to construct speech range profiles for passage reading. Results F0 range and intensity range for the new passage were significantly larger than those for the existing Mandarin passage for both male and female participants. In particular, the F0 range for the passage was not significantly different from that of the VRP for male participants. Conclusions These findings suggested that the new passage could allow individuals without vocal training to demonstrate a large vocal range in both F0 and vocal intensity, in a passage reading setting in a relatively short time. Further studies should be pursued with the passage to investigate the vocal range and vocal potential of individuals with voice disorders.