Pertti Hurme

External laryngeal frame function in voice production revisited: A review

Research indicates significant contribution of extrinsic laryngeal mechanisms to voice production. This article reviews the major theories of the role of the external laryngeal factors in voice production and relevant experimental data. The review suggests that partly neglected external factors and possibly even misinterpretation of some of the recently documented individual variation in physiological data may have unnecessarily complicated the issues pertaining to the interplay between the physiological mechanisms of the larynx. The implications of contemporary findings and documentation in the modeling of the extrinsic factors are discussed and a synthesis of empirical data into two simple models of the extrinsic forces of pitch control is presented. Also suggested by the review, a basic principle, probably underlying the laryngeal control of phonation, is put forward.

The external frame function in the control of pitch, register, and singing mode: Radiographic observations of a female singer

This study investigates pitch control, register, and singing mode related movements of the laryngo-pharyngeal structures by radiographic methods. One trained female singer served as the subject. The results show that singing voice production involves complex movements in the laryngeal structures. Pitch related increase in the thyro-arytenoid distance (vocal fold length) is nonlinear, slowing down as pitch rises. Similar observations have been made earlier. At the highest pitches, a shortening of the distance can be seen, suggesting the use of alternative pitch control mechanisms. The various observations made support the existence of three registers in this trained female singing voice. Open and covered modes of singing seemed to be distinguishable on the basis of different amounts of inner and outer forces acting on the larynx. Therefore, caution must be exercised when generalizing from the results.

Online PR: emerging organisational practice

This article describes recent changes in the media landscape where companies and organisations operate. Such changes have numerous impacts on the basic tenets of public relations as well as its practice, education and further education. The impacts are described, new practices for PR practitioners are identified, and guidelines are given. In the future, there will no longer be two kinds of PR practitioners persisting side by side: those using traditional tools and those practising online communication. Instead, PR practitioners will be expected to integrate all means of communication to be a part of their professional qualifications.

Vocal fold strain and vocal pitch in singing:Radiographic observations of singers and nonsingers

The relationship between vocal fold strain and vocal pitch in singers and nonsingers singing a rising pitch series has been indirectly investigated by means of lateral radiographs. Nonsingers tend to exhibit more strain than singers. To standardize the degree of strain, an index of strain per semitone is proposed. The semitone strain indicates the average amount of strain per 1 semitone of pitch increase or decrease. The index has been shown to be affected by several factors: gender, singing training, singing technique, voice class, age, and status of muscle function. Observations suggest that similar groups of individuals occupy different positions on the stress-strain curve, indicated by their semitone strain values.

International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) Voice Committee Discussion of Assessment Topics

D i s c u s s a n t s : D i a n e M. B le s s , R o n a l d J. B a k e n , T h o m a s H a c k i , B j o r n Fr i t ze l l , J o h n L a v e r , H a r m S c h u t t e , M i n o r u H i r a n o , E r n s t L o e b e l l , I n g o T i t ze , M a r i e A g n e s F a u r e , A n d r e Mul le r , J t i rgen W e n d l e r , S r r e n F e x , M. N a s s e r K o t b y , D a v i d B r e w e r , A a t t o S o n n i n e n , a n d Pe r t t i H u r m e

On the Terminology of Voice Research

Summary This article reviews problems associated with establishment of a scientifically accurate, internationally recognized, multilingual terminology to describe voice. Two strategies for developing terminology are discussed: consensus and dictation. Ontological decisions are considered an integral part of developing terminology. We conclude that terminological problems should be solved by a terminological committee—as yet to be established—as they average from problems in interpreting the literature and the results of voice research. A comprehensive bibliography and audio tape of the multilingual terminology describing voice would help facilitate adaptation and understanding of the terms defined.

The Other Stance: Conflicting Professional Self-Images and Perceptions of the Other Profession Among Finnish PR Professionals and Journalists

Abstract Public relations (PR) professionals and journalists act as builders of societies’ communication atmospheres, and their inter-relationships are of importance. The aim of the present study is to describe and compare PR professionals’ and journalists’ professional self-images and perceptions of the other groups profession in Finland. The study is part of the ProfCom project and makes use of the projects Finnish quantitative questionnaire data. The results indicate clear perception differences. PR professionals identify themselves with bond- and trust-building objectives, whereas journalists perceive marketing and financial goals as the main objectives of PR professionals. Journalists identify themselves with information sharing, criticism and service roles, whereas PR professionals perceive opinion sharing, advising and informing about scandals as the main objectives of journalists. In addition, the study indicates a need for further research on the underlying reasons for conflicting perceptions and the effects of the developing Internet communication arena on relationships between professionals.

Interactivity in Web Sites of Medical Support Organizations in Finland

Abstract Traditionally, the activities of medical support organizations are largely based on face-to-face meetings and events as well as telephone services. The Internet has brought new possibilities for communicating both with members and between members. This study analyzes the web pages of seventeen support organizations and examines the views of the communicators of the organizations on the philosophy of constructing web sites. The web pages provide a wealth of information as well as many kinds of interactive services. There are two levels of interaction, one quasi-interactive and the other truly interactive. The communicators emphasize collaboration in the construction of web sites. They are aware of segmentation in their members (e.g., young and old) and of the challenges in using computer-based means of communication.

From Division to Cooperation

In Finland, the research and teaching of communication, media and information studies has a long history, dating back to the first part of the 20th century. The field greatly expanded in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In 1997, the idea of strengthening cooperation and communication between the university departments in the field arose. Further encouragement came from successful experiences in older networks, such as Psykonet, the Network University of Psychology. Financial support for creating and developing a network of communication and media has been awarded by the Ministry of Education. The University Network of Communication Sciences officially started in 1998. The network is national, comprising 20 member units (departments or degree programs in the departments) in the field of communication, media and information studies in ten Finnish universities. The network is multidiciplinary in nature: it encompasses a wide area, ranging from information studies to journalism, speech communication, organizational communication, media studies, visual communication and graphic design. A written agreement defining the goals of the network has been signed by the universities. The goals are: