Dominique Morsomme

Vocal Impact of a Prolonged Reading Task at Two Intensity Levels: Objective Measurements and Subjective Self-Ratings

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impact on voice of both duration and intensity level of 2 hours of continuous oral reading. Voice modifications accompanying changes in intensity level during prolonged reading tasks are analyzed. METHODS Fifty normophonic women undergo two sessions of voice loading in which the required intensity level of voice varied between 60-65 dB(A) for the first session and 70-75 dB(A) for the second session. The effects of loading on objective data (average fundamental frequency [F0], jitter%, shimmer%, noise-to-harmonic ratio, maximum phonation time, lowest frequency [F-Low], highest frequency [F-High], frequency range [Range], lowest intensity [I-Low] level, and highest intensity level) and self-ratings (voice quality, phonation effort, vocal fatigue, and laryngeal discomfort) are assessed every 30 minutes during the loading tasks. RESULTS Results indicate that average F0, F-Low, I-Low, maximum phonation time, feeling of phonation effort, vocal fatigue, and laryngeal discomfort increase during prolonged reading, whereas shimmer% and self-rating of voice quality decrease. Average F0, F-High, and Range are the only parameters influenced by the required intensity of vocal load; they are significantly higher in the 70- to 75-dB session compared with the 60- to 65-dB session. Concerning the subjective self-ratings, similar results for the four ratings used suggest that only one would suffice in future studies. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the importance of both duration and intensity level as loading factors, even if intensity level affects fewer variables than duration.

Comparison between the GIRBAS Scale and the Acoustic and Aerodynamic Measures Provided by EVA for the Assessment of Dysphonia following Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

The aim of this study is to establish relevant objective parameters for evaluating dysphonia following unilateral vocal fold paralysis. To do so, the study compares objective and perceptual voice measures. The objective measures were obtained using a voice analysis software (Evaluation Vocale Assistée), whereas the perceptual measures were established with the GIRBAS Scale (grade, instability, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain). All measurements were performed on 40 voice samples: 28 dysphonic subjects with unilateral laryngeal paralysis, and 12 control subjects. The intra- and interjudge agreements were fairly good, at least for control subjects. The six GIRBAS measures obtained from the pathological voices were higher than those from the control voices (p < 0.001) and the correlation between both groups was good. Grade, breathiness and asthenia correlated with the objective parameters that express the aperiodicity of the phonatory signal (p < 0.01), namely, the coefficient of variability of the fundamental frequency, the coefficient of variability of intensity, and jitter. Our findings suggest that the perceptual reality of laryngeal paralysis-induced dysphonia depends more on grade, breathiness and asthenia than it does on roughness or instability.

Glottoplasty for Male-to-Female Transsexualism: Voice Results.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the objective voice results of Wendlers glottoplasty in male-to-female transsexuals. METHOD We retrospectively reviewed our patients treated with Wendlers technique with minor modifications. Glottoplasty consisted in CO(2)-laser epithelial ablation of the anterior commissure and the two vocal folds in anterior third, suturing of the two vocal folds with two stitches of 3.0 resorbable thread, and application of fibrin sealant to strengthen the suture. Voice assessment was based mainly on fundamental frequency (F(0)), frequency range, jitter, maximum phonation time, phonation quotient, estimated subglottic pressure (ESGP) grade of dysphonia (G), and voice handicap index (VHI). These measures were taken before surgery and on the last follow-up visit. RESULTS Our series included 15 patients with a mean age of 36 years. The mean follow-up period was 7.2 months. We did not observe any early complications related to the technique. The comparison between the preoperative and the postoperative measurements, using Wilcoxon signed rank test, showed a significant improvement of median F(0) from 139 to 191 Hz (P=0.006) with an increase in the grade of dysphonia (G(pre)=0.2, G(post)=1, P=0.013) and ESGP (ESGP(pre)=8.1 ± 3.2, ESGP(post)=12.0 ± 3.8, P=0.002). Other measurements, including VHI, did not show any significant differences pre- and postoperatively. CONCLUSION Wendlers glottoplasty can contribute to feminize the voice.

Vocal Impact of a Prolonged Reading Task in Dysphonic Versus Normophonic Female Teachers

OBJECTIVES This study evaluates the effect of a 2-hour reading task between 70 and 75 dB(A) in 16 normophonic and 16 dysphonic female teachers with vocal nodules. METHODS Objective measurements (acoustic analysis, voice range measurements, and aerodynamic measurements) and subjective self-ratings were collected before and every 30 minutes during the reading to determine the voice evolution in both groups. RESULTS Fundamental frequency, lowest frequency, highest frequency (F-High), highest intensity, and intensity range increase through the reading, whereas shimmer decreases. Maximum phonation time decreases after 30 minutes. Estimated subglottal pressure (ESP) and sound pressure level increase during the first hour. Afterward, ESP decreases. Self-ratings worsen through time. When comparing the normophonic and the dysphonic teachers, self-ratings reveal more complaints in the dysphonic group. Few differences in objective measurements are found between both groups: normophonic teachers show lower ESP, higher F-High, and greater frequency range. CONCLUSIONS Frequency modifications from acoustic analysis and voice range measurements suggest an increased laryngeal tension during vocal load, while subjects perceive a worsening of voice. Aerodynamic parameters depict first a deterioration of voice efficiency and then an adaptation to the prolonged reading. The comparison between both groups shows a discrepancy between objective measurements and self-ratings, suggesting that both approaches are necessary to have a complete view of vocal load effects. Surprisingly, both groups behave similarly through vocal load, without more or quicker deterioration of voice in the dysphonic group.

Criteria and tools for objectively analysing the vocal accuracy of a popular song

Abstract This study aims to validate our method for measuring accuracy in a melodic context. We analysed the popular song ‘Happy Birthday’ sung by 63 occasional and 14 professional singers thanks to AudioSculpt and OpenMusic (IRCAM, Paris, France). In terms of evaluation of the pitch interval deviation, we replicated the profile of occasional singers described in the literature (the slower the performance, the more accurate it is). Our results also confirm that the professional singers sing more accurately than occasional singers but not when a Western operatic singing technique is involved. These results support the relevance of our method for analysing vocal accuracy of occasional and professional singers and led us to discuss adaptations to be implemented for analysing the accuracy of operatic voices.

Presbyphonia voice differencies between the secties in the elderly. comparison by maximum phonation time, phonation quotient and spectral analysis

This study of 40 elderly subjects (30 women and 10 men) between the ages of 70 to 90, attempts to qualify and quantify their voices and to compare the results with a young population and to establish any differences between the two sexes. The measurements concerned the Vital Capacity (VC), the Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) and the Phonation Quotient (PQ). The equivalent values for a young population were compiled from the literature. Spectral voice analysis was also included in the study. The mean speaking fundamental frequency (Fo) of the voice changes with age; it increases in men and decreases in women (158 Hz in elderly men vs a normal value of 120 Hz; 205 Hz in elderly women vs a normal value of 225 Hz). Ageing influences the vital capacity to the advantage of men (median VC = 2.61 vs 1.61 in elderly men and women, respectively). For sustaining a vowel a, the Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) is significantly better in elderly men (median MPT = 16 sec in elderly men and 12 sec for women). Phonation Quotien...

Effects of Melody and Technique on Acoustical and Musical Features of Western Operatic Singing Voices

OBJECTIVE The operatic singing technique is frequently used in classical music. Several acoustical parameters of this specific technique have been studied but how these parameters combine remains unclear. This study aims to further characterize the Western operatic singing technique by observing the effects of melody and technique on acoustical and musical parameters of the singing voice. METHODS Fifty professional singers performed two contrasting melodies (popular song and romantic melody) with two vocal techniques (with and without operatic singing technique). The common quality parameters (energy distribution, vibrato rate, and extent), perturbation parameters (standard deviation of the fundamental frequency, signal-to-noise ratio, jitter, and shimmer), and musical features (fundamental frequency of the starting note, average tempo, and sound pressure level) of the 200 sung performances were analyzed. RESULTS The results regarding the effect of melody and technique on the acoustical and musical parameters show that the choice of melody had a limited impact on the parameters observed, whereas a particular vocal profile appeared depending on the vocal technique used. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that vocal technique affects most of the parameters examined. In addition, the observation of quality, perturbation, and musical parameters contributes to a better understanding of the Western operatic singing technique.

The Effects of Stress on Singing Voice Accuracy

OBJECTIVE The quality of a music performance can be lessened or enhanced if the performer experiences stressful conditions. In addition, the quality of a sung performance requires control of the fundamental frequency of the voice, which is particularly sensitive to stress. The present study aimed to clarify the effects of stress on singing voice accuracy. METHODS Thirty-one music students were recorded in a stressful condition (ie, a music examination) and a nonstressful condition. Two groups were defined according to the challenge level of the music examination (first and second music levels). Measurements were made by self-reported state anxiety (CSAI-2R questionnaire) and by observing heart rate activity (electrocardiogram) during each performance. In addition, the vocal accuracy of the sung performances was objectively analyzed. RESULTS As expected, state anxiety and heart rate were significantly higher on the day of the music examination than in the nonstressful condition for all the music students. However, the effect of stress was positive for the first-year students but negative for the second-year students, for whom the music examination was particularly challenging. In addition, highly significant correlations were found between the intensity of cognitive symptoms and the vocal accuracy criteria. DISCUSSION This study highlights the contrasting effects of stress on singing voice accuracy but also the need to consider the challenge level and perception of the symptoms in experimental and pedagogical settings.

Measuring the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) in the Program Praat

BACKGROUND The original Dysphonia Severity Index (ie, DSI) weighs and combines four voice markers in a single number to size dysphonia gradation in the clinic: percent jitter (from Multi-Dimensional Voice Program; KayPENTAX Corp., Montvale, NJ), softest intensity and highest fundamental frequency (both from Voice Range Profile; KayPENTAX Corp.), and maximum phonation time. To be more generally applied, however, implementation of DSI in the program Praat (Paul Boersma and David Weenink, Institute for Phonetic Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) would be advantageous for all voice clinicians. The presented project was therefore designed (1) to develop such a Praat application and (b) to test its concurrent validity. METHODS The four voice markers for the original DSI, as well as ten additional voice markers in Praat, were administered on a total of 49 subjects in three different clinical voice centers. A crossover research design was implemented to counterbalance for possible exercise effects. First, stepwise multiple linear regression was applied to build a statistical model with the best combination of Praat predictors for the original DSI. Second, correlation statistics were applied to compare Praats DSI with the original DSI. RESULTS Both DSI versions correlated strongly. A custom script was therefore written for automated DSI determination in Praat. CONCLUSION With this script, every voice clinician can easily determine DSI in the Praat program.

The effect of melody and technique on the singing voice accuracy of trained singers

Abstract A previous study highlighted the effect of vocal technique on the singing voice accuracy of trained singers. The intervals’ precision between the notes of the tune was altered when the singers used Western operatic singing technique. In order better to understand these results, we have recorded two different melodies sung with two different vocal techniques. A large panel of trained singers (n = 50) participated in the study. The analytical method described in the reference paper has been applied. The results confirm the effect of vocal technique on the vocal accuracy of trained singers. In addition, these results provide an answer about the melodic effect and guide future work on the perception process of operatic voices.