Stutterers' and Nonstutterers' Voice Fundamental Frequency Changes in Response to Auditory Stimuli

1988 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann McLean-Muse ◽  
Charles R. Larson ◽  
Hugo H. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Constant Pitch ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Frequency Changes ◽  
Temporal Measures ◽  
Voice Fundamental Frequency

An acoustic analysis of certain aspects of voice fundamental frequency (F o ) in response to auditory clicks may provide a tool for studying short-latency auditory-laryngeal reflexes in humans (Sapir, McClean, & Larson, 1983). The purpose of this investigation was to compare 18 adult male stutterers' and 19 adult male nonstutterers' auditory-laryngeal reflexes. Subjects sustained phonation at constant pitch and intensity levels while receiving bilateral auditory click stimuli. F o signal averages were generated and measured. Data analyses indicated that there were no differences between stutterers and nonstutterers with respect to the frequency of reflex occurrence. Also, there were no significant group differences with respect to the mean reflex temporal measures or the variability of the reflex temporal measures.

Speaking Fundamental Frequency Characteristics of Five- and Six-Year-Old Children with Mongolism

1970 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 418-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Weinberg ◽  
Marsha Zlatin
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Trisomy 21 ◽  
Clinical Observation ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Frequency Standard ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voice Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Speaking Fundamental Frequency

Spontaneous speech samples of 27 children with trisomy-21 type Down’s syndrome and 66 normal children were tape-recorded and analyzed for mean fundamental frequency, standard deviation, and range. Results indicate that the mean speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) level for the sample of children with mongolism was significantly higher than the mean SFF level for the control sample. Approximately 50% of the children with mongolism had mean SFF levels exceeding the highest mean SFF level of their matched controls. In only two cases did the mean SFF for a child with mongolism fall below the mean SFF level for control children of the same age and sex. No child with mongolism exhibited a mean SFF level below the lowest mean SFF for any control subject. The subject in question is the clinical observation that children with mongolism typically have low voice fundamental frequency levels.

scholarly journals Intonational Patterns of Nonverbal Vocalizations in People With Dementia

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Samuelsson ◽  
Lars C. Hydén
Keyword(s):  
Disruptive Behavior ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Pitch Range ◽  
Interactional Pattern ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Nonverbal Vocalizations ◽  
The Mean

Nonverbal vocalizations in dementia are important clinically since they generally have been regarded as disruptive behavior that is disturbing. The aim of the present study is to describe the interactional pattern, including the prosodic package, of nonverbal vocalizations in a participant in a late stage of dementia. The acoustic analysis shows that the vocalizations do not differ significantly from the verbal utterances regarding mean fundamental frequency or pitch range. The mean fundamental frequency, F0, of the utterances from Anna was significantly higher than the mean F0 from the other elderly participants. The analysis demonstrates that there is a singing-like type of vocalizations that does not resemble the previously described patterns of nonverbal vocalizations. This pattern of the nonverbal vocalization does not resemble the intonation of Anna’s verbal utterances. The other participants perceive Anna’s vocalizations as potentially meaningful turns. Nonverbal vocalizations in clinical settings should be taken as communicative contributions.

Acoustic analysis of surgeons’ voices to assess change in the stress response during surgical in situ simulation

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2020-000727
Author(s):  
Andrew Hall ◽  
Kosuke Kawai ◽  
Kelsey Graber ◽  
Grant Spencer ◽  
Christopher Roussin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Formant Frequencies ◽  
Stressful Environment ◽  
The Mean

IntroductionStress may serve as an adjunct (challenge) or hindrance (threat) to the learning process. Determining the effect of an individual’s response to situational demands in either a real or simulated situation may enable optimisation of the learning environment. Studies of acoustic analysis suggest that mean fundamental frequency and formant frequencies of voice vary with an individual’s response during stressful events. This hypothesis is reviewed within the otolaryngology (ORL) simulation environment to assess whether acoustic analysis could be used as a tool to determine participants’ stress response and cognitive load in medical simulation. Such an assessment could lead to optimisation of the learning environment.MethodologyORL simulation scenarios were performed to teach the participants teamwork and refine clinical skills. Each was performed in an actual operating room (OR) environment (in situ) with a multidisciplinary team consisting of ORL surgeons, OR nurses and anaesthesiologists. Ten of the scenarios were led by an ORL attending and ten were led by an ORL fellow. The vocal communication of each of the 20 individual leaders was analysed using a long-term pitch analysis PRAAT software (autocorrelation method) to obtain mean fundamental frequency (F0) and first four formant frequencies (F1, F2, F3 and F4). In reviewing individual scenarios, each leader’s voice was analysed during a non-stressful environment (WHO sign-out procedure) and compared with their voice during a stressful portion of the scenario (responding to deteriorating oxygen saturations in the manikin).ResultsThe mean unstressed F0 for the male voice was 161.4 Hz and for the female voice was 217.9 Hz. The mean fundamental frequency of speech in the ORL fellow (lead surgeon) group increased by 34.5 Hz between the scenario’s baseline and stressful portions. This was significantly different to the mean change of −0.5 Hz noted in the attending group (p=0.01). No changes were seen in F1, F2, F3 or F4.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a method of acoustic analysis of the voices of participants taking part in medical simulations. It suggests acoustic analysis of participants may offer a simple, non-invasive, non-intrusive adjunct in evaluating and titrating the stress response during simulation.

Maximum Performance Tests in Children With Developmental Spastic Dysarthria

1993 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wit ◽  
B. Maassen ◽  
F. J. M. Gabreëls ◽  
G. Thoonen
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Performance Tests ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Maximum Performance ◽  
Performance Tasks ◽  
Syllable Duration ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Normal Speech

Three noninvasive Maximum Performance Tasks (MPT)—Maximum Sound Prolongation (MSP), Fundamental Frequency Range (FFR), and Maximum Repetition Rate (MRR)—were administered to 11 children with spastic dysarthria due to cerebral palsy and to 11 control children with normal speech in order to determine the value of the tasks for differentiating between these groups of children. From the acoustic measurements, nine parameters were calculated, and in seven of them highly significant group differences were found. By adding the unweighted z-scores of four parameters (maximum sound prolongation, syllable duration, fundamental frequency range, inter-utterance variability of syllable duration), a composite z-score was constructed with nonoverlapping distributions for both groups. The authors conclude that maximum performance tasks, despite the large intrasubject and intersubject variability in both normal and pathological speakers, are powerful tools for detecting spastic dysarthria.

The Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Voice-Fundamental Frequency

1987 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Murphy ◽  
Philip C. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Group Research ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voice Fundamental Frequency ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Previous Group ◽  
Age And Sex

Previous group research has shown that the mean voice-fundamental frequency (F0) for individuals who smoke is lower than that of age- and sex-matched nonsmokers. It is believed that this reduction in F0 is a result of edema of the vocal folds caused by tobacco smoke. This study investigated F0 changes during smoking and no-smoking periods. Data were collected before, during, and after a 40-hour period of no-smoking. Analysis of the voice recordings showed a rise in voice F0 for the two smoking subjects during the 40-hour no-smoking period. Age- and sex-matched control subjects did not show a rise in their F0 during the same tasks. Results suggest that the pitch-lowering effects of cigarette smoking may be reversed after as few as 40 hours of smoking cessation.

Analysis ofStutterers' Voice Onset Times and Fundamental Frequency Contours during Fluency

1984 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Charles Healey ◽  
Barbara Gutkin
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Voice Onset Time ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Stop Consonant ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
One Year

The purpose of this study was to examine stutterers' and nonstutterers' fluent voice onset time (VOT) and fundamental frequency (F 0 ) contour measures from target syllables located at the beginning of a carrier phrase. Ten adult male stutterers were matched within one year of age with 10 adult male nonstutterers. Oscillographic and spectrographic analyses of subjects' VOT and F 0 at vowel onset, average vowel F 0 , and speed and range of Fo change were obtained from fluent productions of 18 stop consonant-vowel syllables. Results showed that VOTs for voiced stops and the range of F 0 change for voiceless stops were associated with significant between-group differences. All other dependent measures were not significantly different between the two groups. When eompared with past research, these findings indicate that greater differences emerge between stutterers and nonstutterers when measures of fluency are taken at the beginning than in the middle of a carrier phrase. Implications for future research are discussed.

Selected Acoustic Characteristics of Esophageal Speech Produced by Female Laryngectomees

1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Weinberg ◽  
Suzanne Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Fundamental Frequencies ◽  
Esophageal Speech ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voice Fundamental Frequency

Voice fundamental frequency (VFF), phonation time, and duration characteristics were analyzed for 15 female and 18 male esophageal speakers to determine whether acoustic differences existed as a function of speaker sex. A significant difference was found between the mean fundamental frequency of esophageal speech produced by men and that produced by women. The average VFF of women was approximately seven semitones higher than that established for men. Without regard to speaker sex, the average voice fundamental frequency for the total sample of 33 talkers was 24.9 semitones (69 Hz). Mean fundamental frequencies for individual speakers ranged from 12.9–43.7 semitones (33–200 Hz). No significant sex differences were found for VFF variability, phonation time, and duration measures. The findings highlight the need for investigators to control for acoustic differences between male and female esophageal speakers.

scholarly journals Quantitative and Descriptive Comparison of Four Acoustic Analysis Systems: Vowel Measurements

2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlyn Burris ◽  
Houri K. Vorperian ◽  
Marios Fourakis ◽  
Ray D. Kent ◽  
Daniel M. Bolt
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Analysis Software ◽  
Formant Frequencies ◽  
Acoustic Measures ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Women And Children

Purpose This study examines accuracy and comparability of 4 trademarked acoustic analysis software packages (AASPs): Praat, WaveSurfer, TF32, and CSL by using synthesized and natural vowels. Features of AASPs are also described. Method Synthesized and natural vowels were analyzed using each of the AASP's default settings to secure 9 acoustic measures: fundamental frequency (F0), formant frequencies (F1–F4), and formant bandwidths (B1–B4). The discrepancy between the software measured values and the input values (synthesized, previously reported, and manual measurements) was used to assess comparability and accuracy. Basic AASP features are described. Results Results indicate that Praat, WaveSurfer, and TF32 generate accurate and comparable F0 and F1–F4 data for synthesized vowels and adult male natural vowels. Results varied by vowel for women and children, with some serious errors. Bandwidth measurements by AASPs were highly inaccurate as compared with manual measurements and published data on formant bandwidths. Conclusions Values of F0 and F1–F4 are generally consistent and fairly accurate for adult vowels and for some child vowels using the default settings in Praat, WaveSurfer, and TF32. Manipulation of default settings yields improved output values in TF32 and CSL. Caution is recommended especially before accepting F1–F4 results for children and B1–B4 results for all speakers.

Value Priorities of Iranian and American College Students

1996 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-256
Author(s):  
Shirinak Shokouhi-Behnam ◽  
Catherine Chambliss
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Value Priorities ◽  
Median Split ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Iranian Students

A sample of 49 Iranian students studying in American colleges were divided into a less acculturated and a more acculturated group, based on a median split of their scores on Hannassab's Acculturation Scale. Using Schwartz's Value Survey, values of Iranian men and women ( ns = 19) were compared to values of 45 American men and women studying in the same U.S. colleges. Significant group differences in the ratings given to the value domains of power, benevolence, security, conformity, and tradition were observed. Also as expected, the mean acculturation scores of the Iranian students were significantly correlated with the number of years they had spent outside of Iran.

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