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from the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Summary
Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in acoustic features of speech and voice after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy.

Methods
Before and 1 month after surgery the following parameters were estimated: average of fundamental frequency (Fo), Jitter percent (Jitt), Shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR), voice turbulence index (VTI), soft phonation index (SPI), degree of voiceless (DUV), degree of voice breaks (DVB) and peak amplitude variation (vAm); as an evaluation of nasal resonance, speech articulation and voice handicap index (VHI).

Results
The results were statistically evaluated using the unpaired t-test. Probability values below 0.05 were regarded as significant. One month after surgery, our data showed significant (P < 0.05) improvements of the acoustic and other parameters in the children submitted to adenotonsillectomy: Fo (176 Hz vs. 206 Hz, after sustained vowels: 206 Hz vs. 192 Hz; 148 Hz vs. 168 Hz; 171 Hz vs. 161 Hz after balanced sentences), Jitt (0.85% vs. 1.81% to 0.82% vs. 1.81%), Shimmer (3.41% vs. 5.81% to 4.89% vs. 5.73%), NHR (0.16 vs. 0.42 to 0.29 vs. 0.39), VTI (0.05 vs. 0.38 to 0.28 vs. 0.37), SPI (14.78 vs. 21.14–19.89 vs. 21.89), DUV (0% vs. 0.44% to 0% vs. 0.48%), DVB (0% vs. 0.42% to 0% vs. 0.42%) and vAm (8.93% vs. 23.89% to 8.89% vs. 24.25%).

Conclusions
The results suggest the role of adenotonsillectomy in the improvement of voice and speech quality and of objective evaluation of speech and voice in the correct management of these children.

from the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Summary
Objective/hypothesis
To assess the outcomes of management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis by ansa-RLN reinnervation in a series of patients ages 12–21.

Study design
Clinical outcomes study.

Methods
Six consecutive adolescents and young adults (ages 12–21 years) seeking treatment for unilateral vocal fold paralysis and glottal incompetence underwent ansa-RLN neurorraphy. Pre- and post-operative voice recordings acquired at least 1 year following surgery were submitted to acoustic and perceptual analysis. Patient-based measures were also taken.

Results
Mean perceptual visual analogue scale rating of dysphonia severity (0 mm = profoundly abnormal voice, 100 mm = completely normal voice) improved from 50 mm pre-operatively to 82 mm post-operatively. Mean maximum phonation time improved from 6.5 s to 13.2 s. Pitch and dynamic range were also observed to improve. Global self-ratings of voice function (0–100%) increased from 31.2% to 81.6% of normal.

Conclusions
Ansa-RLN reinnervation is an effective treatment option for adolescents and young adults with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. The procedure has the potential to improve vocal function substantially, especially in those with isolated paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The procedure alleviates the disadvantages associated with other surgical options for this age group.

from Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America</a

Specific deficits that may be encountered as well as interventional strategies and evidence-based practice are discussed. When discussing the voice, it is important to consider that for many people the voice is not just a tool for communication, but also an identifying feature that allows expression of personality. Eating and swallowing are vital to life sustenance and also allow for a myriad of social interactions. Laryngeal cancer can have a dramatic impact on this delicately balanced system leading to disturbances of voice and swallowing.

from Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics

Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the acoustic parameters, perceptual estimation, and self-estimation of voice before, 1 month after, and 6 years after surgical removal of a vocal fold polyp. Subjects were five male patients who came to the Phoniatric Clinic because of breathiness. For all patients, a polyp of one vocal fold was diagnosed. The operation was performed using cold instruments based on the principles of contemporary phonosurgery aiming maximally at preserving the phonatory bridge of the vocal fold. The subjects were recorded in a sound-proof booth three times: before surgery, 1 month post-, and 6 years post-operation. The patients read a short tale and they pronounced a sustained vowel /a/. The following variables were measured: clinical (the distance of the polyp from the anterior commissure, the width of the polyp base and the size of the polyp), and acoustic (F0, jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio, voice turbulence index, degree of voice breaks, and long-term average spectrum). Acoustic variables were measured using the program Praat, while the estimation of voice quality was completed using the GRBAS scale and self-estimation questionnaire of the voice quality, which were answered by the patients. The results showed significant improvement in the variables investigated and improved patients satisfaction with their vocal health after the surgery.

from Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology

To enable the development of appropriate diagnostics and treatment for occupational voice disorders, this study addresses connections between subjective voice complaints and objective observations. The subjects of this study were 24 female customer advisors, who mainly use the telephone during their working hours. During one working day, at four different times, speech samples covering 20 minutes of telephone conversation by the customer service advisors (CSAs) were recorded. In addition, the CSAs filled in a questionnaire (visual analogue scale) concerning their voice problems. To represent the vocal symptoms three variables were used: vocal fatigue, hoarseness and a general sum-variable. A 5-minute sample was taken from recordings for further analyses. This included fundamental frequency, sound pressure level, alpha ratio (the ratio between the spectral energy below and above 1000 Hz) and number of vocal fold vibrations. In the objective acoustic measurements, it was found that fundamental frequency (F0) rose significantly during the working day. Also the self-reported voice symptoms increased significantly during the working day. However, correlations between vocal symptoms and acoustic measures were not found.

from the National Library for Health

For further information contact:

Event Tel: Tel: +1 317 926 1056
Event Fax: Fax: +1 317 579 0476

Where:Carmel, USA
When:06 Dec 2008 10:00 - 07 Dec 2008 16:30

from Laryngoscope

Abstract:
Objective: To assess objective and subjective voice parameters among Turner syndrome (TS) women in relation to genotype, hearing, growth, and previous treatment with growth hormone (GH) and androgen given that lowering of speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) during treatment is regarded as a negative side effect.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, controlled for karyotype and age.

Methods: Voice function was studied objectively (SFF) and subjectively (questionnaire) in 117 women with TS.

Results: SFF did not differ between treated and nontreated participants or between patients with a spontaneous versus induced puberty. SFF was dependent on karyotype but not age. Subjective voice change was reported four times more often among treated compared with nontreated TS women (odds ratio [OR] = 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9-20.10), whereas voice and articulation problems were reported three times more often among untreated compared with treated cases (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.0-8.3). Voice symptoms were over-represented among patients having micrognathia (OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 1.6-22.3), hearing loss (OR = 8.6; 95% CI: 1.7-43.1), and monosomy (OR = 6.2; 95% CI: 0.8-36.2) but not among those with an arched palate.

Conclusions: When given to TS girls, GH (33-66 [mu]g/kg/d) and androgen (0.05 mg/kg/d) normalized SFF and reduced voice and articulation problems in adulthood. The TS phenotype includes important voice and speech problems, which in turn are associated with hearing problems, although genotypic, monosomic, and isochromosome patients have more voice problems and also more high-pitched voices than mosaic patients. Most TS women, despite their karyotype or age, exhibit a higher frequency of pitched voice than non-TS women.

from the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research

Purpose: The present study examines the effect of normal aging on respiratory support for speech when utterance length is controlled.

Method: Fifteen women (M = 71 years of age) and 10 men (M = 73 years of age) produced 2 sentences of different lengths in 4 loudness conditions while respiratory kinematics were measured. Measures included those related to lung volume and chest wall movements.

Results: Data from the older adults were compared with previously published data from 30 young adults. A significant Age x Sex effect was demonstrated. Older men produced speech at higher lung volumes than younger men. No significant differences existed between older and younger women. Older adults tended to use more abdominal movement in loud speech than younger adults, especially when talking in noise. Some of the mechanisms used by the older adults to support increased loudness in response to the cues differed from those used by the younger adults. Age-related differences were larger when participants produced the longer utterance as compared with the shorter one.

Conclusions: Reduced chest wall compliance, pulmonary elastic recoil, and laryngeal closure may explain the findings. These data can be used to help distinguish normal age-related changes from disease-related changes.

from Clinical Interventions in Aging

Abstract: Aging of the larynx is characterized by involutional changes which alter its biomechanical and neural properties and create a biological environment that is different from younger counterparts. Illustrative anatomical examples are presented. This natural, non-disease process appears to set conditions which may influence the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injection and our expectations for its success. Adductor spasmodic dysphonia, a type of laryngeal dystonia, is typically treated using botulinum toxin injections of the vocal folds in order to suppress adductory muscle spasms which are disruptive to production of speech and voice. A few studies have suggested diminished response to treatment in older patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia. This retrospective study provides a reanalysis of existing pre-to-post treatment data as function of age. Perceptual judgments of speech produced by 42 patients with ADSD were made by two panels of professional listeners with expertise in voice or fluency of speech. Results demonstrate a markedly reduced positive response to botulinum toxin treatment in the older patients. Perceptual findings are further elucidated by means of acoustic spectrography. Literature on vocal aging is reviewed to provide a specific set of biological mechanisms that best account for the observed interaction of botulinum toxin treatment with advancing age.

from the Journal of Voice

Multiple surgical techniques have been developed to restore function in patients with vocal fold paralysis (VFP), ranging from open laryngeal framework procedures to endoscopic injection techniques. In our experience, adduction arytenopexy (AA) and medialization laryngoplasty with GORE-TEX (MLG), with or without cricothyroid subluxation (CTS), together offer patients optimal improvement in voice, based on the subjective change in voice quality and patient feedback obtained. In this study, we analyze objective voice parameters in these patients before and after surgery. The objective of this retrospective chart review is to demonstrate the change in aerodynamic and acoustic properties of voice in patients with VFP who undergo combined AA and MLG, with or without CTS. Seventy-five patients underwent combined AA and MLG between May 2001 and September 2006; 28 completed both preoperative and postoperative voice evaluation including aerodynamic and acoustic testing. Retrospective chart review is used to compare pre- and postoperative voice parameters in these patients. Statistically significant increases in mean maximum phonation time (MPT) and mean intensity of “/pæ/” during aerodynamic testing, with a statistically significant decrease in mean glottal airflow were observed. A notable increase in mean glottal resistance was not statistically significant. No significant change was observed in the other parameters tested. Mean MPT increased and mean glottal airflow decreased. These objective results correlate with patients’ subjective improvement. However, while “objective,” acoustic and aerodynamic testing are effort dependent, and thus may not be as reliable as other tools in measuring postsurgical voice outcomes. Patient surveys may be the best means of gauging surgical success.

from EurekAlert.org

An innovative laser treatment for early vocal-cord cancer, developed at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), successfully restores patients’ voices without radiotherapy or traditional surgery, which can permanently damage vocal quality. This new option for patients, which has now been used in more than 25 patients, was reported on May 1 at the annual meeting of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, and the data will soon be published as a supplement to the Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology.

from the National Library for Health

For further information contact:

Frans J M Hilgers
Event Tel: Tel: +31 20 512 2550
Event Fax: Fax: +31 20 512 2554
Event Website:
Event Email: Email: kno@nki.nl

Where:Amsterdam, The Netherlands
When:27 Nov 2008 10:00 - 28 Nov 2008 16:00

from the BBC

A woman’s voice becomes more alluring when she is at her most fertile, according to US research.

from Dysphagia

Abstract Age-related sarcopenia or muscle wasting contributes to changes in the ability to perform activities of daily living, changes in deglutition, and changes in vocal function. The Shaker Exercise, an isometric and isokinetic exercise, has been shown to strengthen suprahyoid muscles and increase deglutitive anteroposterior (AP) upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening diameter. The aim of this study was to determine if this exercise has an effect on the age-related changes in vocal function and deglutition in healthy older adults. Eleven females and 10 males, aged 65–78 years (mean = 70 ± 4 years) and with a negative history for dysphagia and voice disorders, participated by exercising three times per day for 6 weeks. Five age-matched controls did not perform the exercise. Acoustic analysis of voice and biomechanical analysis of deglutition were performed before and after 6 weeks of exercise. Controls participated in voice analysis only. Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), a multivariate voice index, was used to compare voice production initially and after 6 weeks. Deglutitive biomechanical measures increased and DSI scores improved in 10 of 21 participants following 6 weeks of the exercise. DSI for controls did not change over the 6-week period. Ten of 21 exercise participants experienced improved deglutitive biomechanics and DSI scores. Accuracy of exercise performance, compliance, and/or disclosed alterations in health status may contribute to the lack of deglutitive and DSI change in the participants who did not experience change in function. A large randomized control study, including periodic monitoring of health status, exercise performance accuracy, and compliance, is warranted to evaluate the affect of this exercise on deglutition as well as voice. The Shaker Exercise could be recommended as a preventative measure to diminish the effect of sarcopenia on the muscles used in deglutition and voice and alter the progression of the characteristic senescent voice and swallow changes.

from the Journal of Voice

Esophageal voice is a method of voice production after total laryngectomy. Previous research suggests that perturbation analysis may inaccurately measure aperiodic voices and that nonlinear dynamic methods may be more appropriate for analyzing signals of this type. Therefore, we hypothesized that nonlinear dynamic analysis would be more capable than perturbation parameters for reliable measurement of the aperiodic esophageal voice. The study design was acoustic comparison of esophageal and normal voice cohorts using nonlinear dynamic and perturbation measures. Twenty subjects in two age-matched groups participated in the study. Jitter, shimmer, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), correlation dimension, and second-order entropy were measured from audio recordings of subjects’ voices. Jitter and shimmer values were significantly higher and SNR values were significantly lower for esophageal voices than for normal voices. Error (err) count values, which indicate perturbation analysis reliability, were 0 in normal voices and significantly higher in esophageal voices. Error was attributable to signal aperiodicity and demonstrated that perturbation analysis yielded questionable results for esophageal voice. However, nonlinear dynamics measures analyzed both cohorts reliably and indicated that esophageal voice was significantly more chaotic than normal voice. The results demonstrated the capability of nonlinear dynamic methods to reliably quantify both aperiodic and periodic signals and differentiate normal from esophageal voices. It is suggested that nonlinear dynamic analysis be used preferentially for acoustic characterization of aperiodic voices, such as esophageal voice. Future research should focus on clarification of perturbation analysis reliability and further application of nonlinear dynamic measures to aperiodic voices.

from the Journal of Voice

This study aimed to investigate perceptually and acoustically Lessac’s Y-Buzz and sustained productions of Brazilian Portuguese habitual /i/ vowels pre- and posttraining and to verify the presence of formant tuning and its association with the perception of a more resonant voice. The subjects of this study were 54 acting students, 31 female and 23 male, with no voice problems, distributed in seven groups. Each group received four weekly sessions of training. For the pretraining recording, they were asked to sustain the vowel /i/ in a habitual mode three times at self-selected comfortable frequencies and intensity. After training, they repeated the habitual /i/ and also the trained Y-Buzz. Five voice specialists rated how resonant each sample sounded. The fundamental frequency (F0), the first four formant frequencies, the distance between the frequencies of F1 and F0 were measured, as well as the harmonic frequency (H2) frequency and the difference between F1 and H2 in the case of male voices (Praat 4.4.33, Institute of Phonetic Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands). The trained Y-Buzz was considered more resonant than the habitual /i/ samples, regardless the gender and demonstrated a lowering of the four formant frequencies. F1 was especially lower in both groups (288 Hz—female and 285 Hz—male), statistically significant in the female group. The F1 − F0 difference was significantly smaller for the female Y-Buzz (52 Hz), as well as F1 − H2 in the case of the male Y-Buzz (12 Hz), suggesting formant tuning. It was not possible to establish association between the perceptual grades and measures F1 − F0 or F1 − H2.

from the Journal of Voice

Although actors and singers typically warm-up the voice before performing, little is known about the effects of vocal warm-up on the voice. This study was designed to determine the relative effectiveness of specific versus combined warm-up strategies on the voice by group comparison. Twenty participants, 10 male and 10 female actors, completed two warm-up protocols, at least 1 week apart, in a counter-balanced order. Measures of phonation threshold pressure (PTP), jitter, noise-to-harmonics-ratio (NHR), and self-perceived vocal effort were obtained. For the males, there was no significant difference in PTP difference values between vocal warm-up only (specific) and vocal plus aerobic warm-up (combined) conditions. For the females, however, a significant difference was found, with a greater reduction in PTP in the combined warm-up condition. A significant difference was also found in male jitter percent values, with significantly lower values in the specific condition than in the combined condition. There were no significant differences in the remaining comparisons. Females appeared to respond more to the vocal warm-up when it had an aerobic exercise component. It is possible that the males’ greater level of physical fitness impacted this finding.

from the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Abstract Deficits in the perception of social stimuli may contribute to the characteristic impairments in social interaction in high functioning autism (HFA). Although the cortical processing of voice is abnormal in HFA, it is unclear whether this gives rise to impairments in the perception of voice gender. About 20 children with HFA and 20 matched controls were presented with voice fragments that were parametrically morphed in gender. No differences were found in the perception of gender between the two groups of participants, but response times differed significantly. The results suggest that the perception of voice gender is not impaired in HFA, which is consistent with behavioral findings of an unimpaired voice-based identification of age and identity by individuals with autism. The differences in response times suggest that individuals with HFA use different perceptual approaches from those used by typically developing individuals.

from the Journal of Voice

Students admitted to the solo singing education at the University of Music Dresden, Germany have been submitted to a detailed physical examination of a variety of factors with relevance to voice function since 1959. In the years 1959-1991, this scheme of examinations included X-ray profiles of the singers’ vocal tracts. This material of 132 X-rays of voice professionals was used to investigate different laryngeal morphological measures and their relation to vocal fold length. Further, the study aimed to investigate if there are consistent anatomical differences between singers of different voice classifications. The study design used was a retrospective analysis. Vocal fold length could be measured in 29 of these singer subjects directly. These data showed a strong correlation with the anterior-posterior diameter of the subglottis and the trachea as well as with the distance from the anterior contour of the thyroid cartilage to the anterior contour of the spine. These relations were used in an attempt to predict the 132 singers’ vocal fold lengths. The results revealed a clear covariation between predicted vocal fold length and voice classification. Anterior-posterior subglottic-tracheal diameter yielded mean vocal fold lengths of 14.9, 16.0, 16.6, 18.4, 19.5, and 20.9mm for sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones, and basses, respectively. The data support the assumption that there are consistent anatomical laryngeal differences between singers of different voice classifications, which are of relevance to pitch range and timbre of the voice.

from the Journal of Voice

Vocal fold scarring remains a significant problem. Although several animal models have been developed to improve our understanding of the histopathology, the histologic features of scarred human vocal folds have rarely been reported. The present case studies aimed to define the histologic changes of scarred human vocal folds caused by cordectomy or cordotomy. Ten patients with the scarred vocal folds were involved in this study. Nine patients with early glottic cancer underwent endoscopic cordectomy, and one patient underwent superficial cordotomy for idiopathic scar. The postcordectomy or cordotomy scar was biopsied or resected 3-13 months after the original procedure. After confirming absence of any tumor in cancer patients, the remaining specimens were used in the present study. Histologic examination investigated deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) including collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid (HA), fibronectin, and decorin in the lamina propria of the scarred vocal folds. There was a wide range of variation in the deposition of ECM in scarred vocal folds. Excessive and disorganized collagen deposition was observed in most cases that had undergone deep resection of the lamina propria, whereas deposition of collagen was mild and well organized after superficial resection. Decorin was retained in all cases after superficial cordectomy or cordotomy, but varied after deep resection. Deposition of elastin, HA, and fibronectin varied regardless of depth of injury. Histology of scarred vocal folds may vary with degree of injury and individual healing mechanism.

from the Journal of Voice

The vertical larynx position has significant effects on vocal tract resonances and on the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds. It is generally agreed that the larynx should be kept in a comfortably low position during singing, and voice problems are often associated with a habitually raised larynx. A new method, and a battery operated portable device called Laryngoaltimeter, was developed to control laryngeal height continuously for therapeutic or educational purposes. Two similar condenser microphones attached on the suprasternal notch and supraglottic region were used to capture corresponding vibrations during phonation. The microphone signals were then filtered through a band pass filter (90-240Hz), digitized, and compared to each other by detection algorithms of the Laryngoaltimeter. When the supraglottic microphone received subglottic resonance related vibrations due to laryngeal elevation, auditory and visual signals were produced as a biofeedback by the device. Waterfall amplitude spectrograms of the microphone signals verified that the frequencies captured by each microphone were dissimilar before and similar after laryngeal elevation. The accuracy of the device was found to be 87% on 13 subjects having different voice classifications as a demonstration of its use. Laryngoaltimeter is a prototype device and needs to be developed. Further research may also be established to investigate the habitual effects of keeping vertical position low by using Laryngoaltimeter as a biofeedback device during therapy exercises or voice lessons.

from the Journal of Laryngology and Otology

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of antituberculosis treatment on the voice quality of laryngeal tuberculosis patients, measured by patient self-assessment, perceptual analysis and acoustic analysis.

Materials and methods: A total of 14 laryngeal tuberculosis patients were enrolled. Laryngeal tuberculosis was established either by biopsy and histopathological examination or by rapid regression of the laryngeal lesions after antituberculosis medication. Before and after treatment, all patients were evaluated perceptually (on a scale of zero to three), and 12 assessed their own voices using the voice handicap index-10 scale. Acoustic analysis was performed to allow objective evaluation.

Results: Patients’ ages ranged from 21 to 72 years (mean, 41). The male to female ratio was 12:2. Eight patients (57 per cent) had tuberculous involvement of the epiglottis, four (28 per cent) had involvement of the aryepiglottic fold and eight (57 per cent) had involvement of the false vocal folds. The glottis was the less commonly involved part of the larynx, including true vocal folds (28 per cent, n = 4) and posterior commissure (14 per cent, n = 2). Perceptual evaluation, on a scale of zero to three, gave the patients a median score of six; after commencement of treatment, the median score decreased to two. The mean voice handicap index-10 score decreased from 24 to 12 after treatment. An obvious improvement in acoustic analytical parameters was also found following treatment.

Conclusions: Antituberculosis treatment clearly improved the voice outcomes of laryngeal tuberculosis patients, according to self-assessment, perceptual analysis and acoustic analysis.

from Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology

The purpose of this study was to investigate how vocal fundamental frequency control was influenced by the timbre of target auditory stimuli. Nineteen female participants were asked to vocally reproduce the pitch of target tones, which consisted of female, male, violin, and clarinet timbres at three different fundamental frequencies. Results revealed that the participants were significantly more accurate at matching the pitch of female target tones compared to the instrumental timbres. This was interpreted as being due to an effect of spectral similarity of the female timbre to that of the female participants. The results of this study support the hypothesis of a perceptual integrality between timbre and pitch, and that stimulus timbre can influence the accuracy of vocal reproduction.

from EurekAlert.org

Even as American Idol reminds us of the best (and worst) that singing has to offer, a new study cautions that amateur singers and singing instructors are less sensitive than their professional peers to the subtle changes to their voices that could have a serious negative impact on their vocal health.

from the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research

Purpose: To determine if respiratory and laryngeal function during spontaneous speaking were different for teachers with voice disorders compared with teachers without voice problems.

Method: Eighteen teachers, 9 with and 9 without voice disorders, were included in this study. Respiratory function was measured with magnetometry, and laryngeal function was measured with electroglottography during 3 spontaneous speaking tasks: a simulated teaching task at a typical loudness level, a simulated teaching task at an increased loudness level, and a conversational speaking task. Electroglottography measures were also obtained for 3 structured speaking tasks: a paragraph reading task, a sustained vowel, and a maximum phonation time vowel.

Results: Teachers with voice disorders started and ended their breath groups at significantly smaller lung volumes than teachers without voice problems during teaching-related speaking tasks; however, there were no between-group differences in laryngeal measures. Task-related differences were found on several respiratory measures and on one laryngeal measure.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that teachers with voice disorders used different speech breathing strategies than teachers without voice problems. Implications for clinical management of teachers with voice disorders are discussed.

from Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Gender specific differences in cognitive functions have been widely discussed. Considering social cognition such as emotion perception conveyed by non-verbal cues, generally a female advantage is assumed. In the present study, however, we revealed a cross-gender interaction with increasing responses to the voice of opposite sex in male and female subjects. This effect was confined to erotic tone of speech in behavioural data and haemodynamic responses within voice sensitive brain areas (right middle superior temporal gyrus). The observed response pattern, thus, indicates a particular sensitivity to emotional voices that have a high behavioural relevance for the listener.

from Medical News Today.com

Teachers, actors and others who speak frequently can follow the lead of political candidates on the campaign trail to take care of their voices, says a Purdue University voice expert.

from Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology

OBJECTIVES: This study compares normal and pathologic voices using a novel voice analysis algorithm that examines pitch deviation during connected speech. The study evaluates the clinical potential of the algorithm as a mechanism to distinguish between normal and pathologic voices using connected speech. METHODS: Adult vocalizations from normal subjects and patients with known benign free-edge vocal fold lesions were analyzed. Recordings had been previously obtained in quiet under controlled conditions. Two phrases and sustained /a/ were recorded per subject. The subject populations consisted of 10 normal and 31 abnormal subjects. The voice analysis algorithm generated 2-dimensional patterns that represent pitch deviation in time and under variable window widths. Measures were collected from these patterns for window widths between 10 and 250 ms. For comparison, jitter and shimmer measures were collected from sustained /a/ by means of the Computerized Speech Lab (CSL). A t-test and tests of sensitivity and specificity assessed discrimination between normal and abnormal populations. RESULTS: More than 58% of the measures collected from connected speech outperformed the CSL jitter and shimmer measures in population discrimination. Twenty-five percent of the experimental measures (including /a/) indicated significantly different populations (p < .01%). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the algorithm distinguishes between normal and abnormal populations by use of samples of connected speech.

from the Journal of Laryngology and Otology

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of therapeutic intervention in patients with mutational falsetto, by applying perceptual and acoustic analysis before and after voice therapy.

Materials and methods: Forty-five consecutive patients with mutational falsetto were studied retrospectively. Acoustic analysis (i.e. fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and formants one, two and three) was performed using the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program. Perceptual voice analyses were performed, including graded severity–roughness–breathiness–aesthenicity–strain assessment.

Results: Subjects’ fundamental frequency, voice formants one, two and three, jitter, and shimmer were greater before than after treatment. There were statistically significant differences between pre- and post-treatment average values for fundamental frequency, jitter and shimmer. There were also statistically significant differences between pre- and post-treatment average values for formants one and two. These results were maintained after six months of follow up, and there was no significant difference between results at three- and six-month follow up. According to perceptual evaluation, each subject’s voice had altered from mutational falsetto to chest voice by completion of the intervention. Thus, all of the patients successfully lowered their modal speaking voice to an appropriate level.

Conclusion: In the light of objective evaluations, and by applying the study treatment protocol, these results suggest that normal voice can be maintained after intervention, at six months’ follow up.

from the Journal of Voice

The study aims to investigate if a similar interaction between physical appearance and voice could be found in female-to-male transsexuals as had been observed in male-to-female transsexuals. A panel of judges rated “maleness” of seven female-to-male transsexuals from video-recorded speech samples using three modes of presentation: auditory-only presentation, visual-only presentation, and audiovisual presentation. For the group of transsexuals as a whole, no significant differences were found between scores given in the auditory-only mode or the visual-only mode and those given in the audiovisual mode. Analysis of individual results, however, yielded significant differences in some individuals and there was some relation with hormone treatment. There was no significant correlation between the ratings of “maleness” in the auditory-only mode and fundamental frequency. Physical appearance in female-to-male transsexuals appears not to be a strong influencing factor in general, but may interact with gender recognition based on the voice in some individuals. The absence of a correlation between fundamental frequency and rating of maleness could mean that in female-to-male transsexuals, fundamental frequency is a relatively less important factor for gender expression or perhaps also that a higher voice in males is more accepted than a lower voice in females.