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Stager SV, Goudelias D, Johnson AM. Effects of Participation in a Structured Choral Program on the Voice of Older Adults. J Voice 2023:S0892-1997(23)00076-0. [PMID: 37003864 PMCID: PMC10544677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of short-term and long-term engagement with structured choral singing on vocal function and quality of life outcomes in older adults. METHODS Two groups of older adult singers over 55 years, one with fewer than 4 semesters and one with 4 or more semesters singing in a chorale, were assessed at 3 time points: baseline, after 1 semester of singing, and either after 1 semester of rest or after 1 semester of rest and 1 semester more of singing. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures, voice-related quality of life ratings, and measures of singing accuracy were obtained. Percent change between time points were calculated to determine three outcomes: improvement, lack of change, or worsening of measures across time. RESULTS Long-term average spectrum (LTAS), difference in first and second harmonics and estimated subglottic pressure were significantly more likely to improve after a semester of singing with less experience singers, and LTAS continued to improve after a semester of rest. Flow was significantly more likely to improve with more singing experience after a semester of singing. Aerodynamic variables consistently changed in more experienced singers and improvement was maintained over the three visits. No significant changes occurred over time for singing accuracy for any singer type. Self-perception of singing voice continued to improve with more singing experience. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that for older adults in good health, regular singing provided a mechanism for maintaining speaking voice over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila V Stager
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Deanna Goudelias
- Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Aaron M Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York.
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Preliminary study on phonetic characteristics of patients with pulmonary nodules. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM 2020; 18:499-504. [PMID: 33012680 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pulmonary nodules (PNs) are one of the imaging manifestations of early lung cancer screening, which should receive more attention. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that voice changes occur in patients with pulmonary diseases. The purpose of this study is to explore the differences in phonetic characteristics between patients with PNs and able-bodied persons. METHODS This study explores the phonetic characteristics of patients with PNs in order to provide a simpler and cheaper method for PN screening. It is a case-control study to explore the differences in phonetic characteristics between individuals with and without PNs. This study performed non-parametric statistics on acoustic parameters of vocalizations, collected from January 2017 to March 2018 in Shanghai, China, from these two groups; it explores the differences in third and fourth acoustic parameters between patients with PNs and a normal control group. At the same time, computed tomography (CT) scans, course of disease, combined disease and other risk factors of the patients were collected in the form of questionnaire. According to the grouping of risk factors, the phonetic characteristics of the patients with PNs were analyzed. RESULTS This study was comprised of 200 patients with PNs, as confirmed by CT, and 86 healthy people that served as a control group. Among patients with PNs, 43% had ground glass opacity, 32% had nodules with a diameter ≥ 8 mm, 19% had a history of smoking and 31% had hyperlipidemia. Compared with the normal group, there were statistically significant differences in pitch, intensity and shimmer in patients with PNs. Among patients with PNs, patients with diameters ≥ 8 mm had a significantly higher third formant. There was a significant difference in intensity, fourth formant and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) between smoking and non-smoking patients. Compared with non-hyperlipidemia patients, the pitch, jitter and shimmer of patients with PNs and hyperlipidemia were higher and the HNR was lower; these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION This measurable changes in vocalizations can be in patients with PNs. Patients with PNs had lower and weaker voices. The size of PNs had an effect on the phonetic formant. Smoking may contribute to damage to the voice and formant changes. Voice damage is more pronounced in individuals who have PNs accompanied by hyperlipidemia.
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Stager SV, Sparks AD, Bielamowicz SA, Edgar JD. The Role of Choral Singing in Speaking Voice Preservation of Aging Adults. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2020; 63:2099-2114. [PMID: 32569498 DOI: 10.1044/2020_jslhr-19-00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose This descriptive cohort pilot study, using a convenience sample, examined whether evidence from vocal function measures, auditory-perceptual ratings, and/or endoscopic signs of aging supported singing in senior chorales as a possible intervention to preserve the speaking voice in aging adults. Method Thirteen singers and five nonsinging controls, all over 65 years of age, participated. They were assessed at two visits, 15-20 months apart. Vocal function measures and auditory-perceptual ratings of estimated age and the presence of voice disorders were compared across singing status and visit. Changes in the presence and degree of laryngeal signs of aging between visits were compared across singing status. Results Using an alpha of .2, deemed acceptable for pilot studies, vocal function measures supported choral singing as an intervention to preserve the speaking voice as less noise energy between 2 and 3 kHz (p = .01) and lower phonation threshold pressures (PTPs) were present (p = .09) for singers compared to nonsinging controls. Greater flows at comfortable pitch (p = .04) and high pitch (p = .06) as well as lower cepstral peak prominence smoothed (CPPS) for the vowel /a/ (p < .01) were found at Visit 2 for both groups, but singers demonstrated lower flows at Visit 2 than nonsinging controls at comfortable pitch (p = .06). Auditory-perceptual ratings did not support preservation of speaking voice, although a larger percentage of listeners rated nonsinging controls as voice disordered at Visit 2. Endoscopic ratings supported preservation, as singers were more likely than nonsinging controls to be rated as having laryngeal signs of aging absent at both visits (p = .02). Conclusion The findings from this pilot study provide evidence that regular singing in senior chorales may assist in preserving older adults' speaking voices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila V Stager
- Medical Faculty Associates Voice Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Andrew D Sparks
- Department of Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Steven A Bielamowicz
- Medical Faculty Associates Voice Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Julia D Edgar
- Department of Communication Disorders, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO
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Qu G, Sun YY, Han BQ, Yu P, Liu JK, Yang SM. Preliminary study on lyrics intelligibility at different pitches in Chinese vocal music. Acta Otolaryngol 2020; 140:558-563. [PMID: 32552233 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2019.1646926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: There is still no clear experimental data on the relationship between the intelligibility of Chinese vocal lyrics and different pitch.Aims/Objective: This study aims at investigating the intelligibility of Chinese sung words at different pitch.Material and methods: A word list is created and sung by eight singers at five different pitches (C5, F4, bB4, bE5, and bA5). The intelligibility of the words is tested by listeners with and without music background.Results: The average intelligibility score in the music-listeners is 84.9% (SD = 9.5%). The score at five pitches (from low to high) is 93%, 91.7%, 89.7%, 83.1%, and 67.1%, respectively. The average score is 77.4% (SD = 10.7%) in the non-music listeners. The average score is 87%, 86%, 79.8%, 76.8%, and 57.5% at five pitches, respectively. The ratio of unidentified sung words is 19.3% (SD, 4.3%) in female singers and 11.9% (SD = 1.5%) in male singers.Conclusions: The intelligibility of Chinese sung words declines gradually with increase in pitch, and the extent of decreases gradually elevating. Generally, the identified ratio of words sung by male singers is higher than that of female singers. The listeners who had no musical background have a lower intelligibility score than those with experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Qu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Music College of Capital Normal University, Beijing City, China
| | - Yuan-yuan Sun
- Music College of Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo City, China
| | | | - Ping Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Shi-ming Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Rubin AD, Jackson-Menaldi C, Kopf LM, Marks K, Skeffington J, Skowronski MD, Shrivastav R, Hunter EJ. Comparison of Pitch Strength With Perceptual and Other Acoustic Metric Outcome Measures Following Medialization Laryngoplasty. J Voice 2020; 33:795-800. [PMID: 29773324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The diagnoses of voice disorders, as well as treatment outcomes, are often tracked using visual (eg, stroboscopic images), auditory (eg, perceptual ratings), objective (eg, from acoustic or aerodynamic signals), and patient report (eg, Voice Handicap Index and Voice-Related Quality of Life) measures. However, many of these measures are known to have low to moderate sensitivity and specificity for detecting changes in vocal characteristics, including vocal quality. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare changes in estimated pitch strength (PS) with other conventionally used acoustic measures based on the cepstral peak prominence (smoothed cepstral peak prominence, cepstral spectral index of dysphonia, and acoustic voice quality index), and clinical judgments of voice quality (GRBAS [grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain] scale) following laryngeal framework surgery. METHODS This study involved post hoc analysis of recordings from 22 patients pretreatment and post treatment (thyroplasty and behavioral therapy). Sustained vowels and connected speech were analyzed using objective measures (PS, smoothed cepstral peak prominence, cepstral spectral index of dysphonia, and acoustic voice quality index), and these results were compared with mean auditory-perceptual ratings by expert clinicians using the GRBAS scale. RESULTS All four acoustic measures changed significantly in the direction that usually indicates improved voice quality following treatment (P < 0.005). Grade and breathiness correlated the strongest with the acoustic measures (|r| ~ 0.7) with strain being the least correlated. CONCLUSIONS Acoustic analysis on running speech highly correlates with judged ratings. PS is a robust, easily obtained acoustic measure of voice quality that could be useful in the clinical environment to follow treatment of voice disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Rubin
- Lakeshore Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Lakeshore Professional Voice Center, St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan.
| | - Cristina Jackson-Menaldi
- Lakeshore Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Lakeshore Professional Voice Center, St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Lisa M Kopf
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
| | - Katherine Marks
- Lakeshore Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Lakeshore Professional Voice Center, St. Clair Shores, Michigan
| | - Jean Skeffington
- Lakeshore Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Lakeshore Professional Voice Center, St. Clair Shores, Michigan
| | - Mark D Skowronski
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Rahul Shrivastav
- Office of the Vice President for Instruction, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Eric J Hunter
- Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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Nowosielska-Grygiel J, Olszewski J. The usefulness of the acoustic and the capacity analysis of singing voice. Otolaryngol Pol 2019; 73:16-25. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.1534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the acoustic and capacity analysis of singing voice using DiagnoScope Specialist software.
Material and methods: The study was conducted in 120 adults subjects, including 74 women and 46 men aged 21-5, were divided into 3 groups: I -40 subjects (treatment group) – professional vocalists, II- 40 subjects (treatment group) – semiprofessional vocalists, III- 40 subjects (control group) – students of The Military Medical Faculty at Medical University of Lodz – nonsingers. The research methodology included: primary medical history, physical examination (otolaryngological), vdeolaryngoscopic examination, the GRBAS scale for subjective voice evaluation, diagnostic voice acoustic and capacity analysis using DiagnoScope Specialist software, survey on lifestyle patterns which may affect voice quality.
Results: Average value of the fundamental frequency F0 was the highest in professional vocalists’ group was 316,46 Hz in women and 165,09 Hz in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 260,50 Hz and 149,26 Hz, in nonsingers’ group was accordingly 261,23 Hz and 159, 27 Hz. Average value of Jitter parameter in professional vocalists’ group was 0,30% in women and 0,54% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 0,31% and 0,57%, in nonsingers’ group was 0,31% and 0,56%. Average value of Shimmer parameter in professional vocalists’ group was 3,27% in women and 3,75% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 3,46% and 3,77%, in nonsingers’ group was 4,33% and 4,39%. Average value of NHR index in professional vocalists’ group was 3,28% in women and 6,00% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 3,23% and 6,72%, in nonsingers’ group was 3,89% and 6,13%.
Conclusions: Values of the parameters which are measuring the character of the voice, relative period-to-period fundamental frequency perturbations, relative period-to-period amplitude perturbation and level of buzzing together with other methods have diagnostic and predictive value in early detection of voice disorders. Capacity analysis in singing voice showed very low values of the following parameters: phonation time, true phonation time, no phonation coefficient, voice efficiency coefficient and voice capacity.
Key words: The acoustic and capacity analysis, singing voice
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Nowosielska-Grygiel
- Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics II Chair of Otolaryngology, Medical University in Lodz, Poland
| | - Jurek Olszewski
- Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics II Chair of Otolaryngology, Medical University in Lodz, Poland
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Ravi SK, Shabnam S, George KS, Saraswathi T. Acoustic and Aerodynamic Characteristics of Choral Singers. J Voice 2018; 33:803.e1-803.e5. [PMID: 30005824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2018.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aimed to investigate and compare the acoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of choral singers and nonsingers. METHOD Twenty choral singers and 20 nonsingers in the age range of 20-30 years with no vocal pathology participated in the study. For acoustic analysis, the voice sample was recorded and analyzed using Praat software (Phonetic Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands) version 6.0.33 and for aerodynamic evaluation, Helios 401 PC based spirometer (Recorders & Medicare System Pvt. Ltd., Panchkula, Haryana, India) was used. RESULTS The results from acoustic analysis of female groups revealed higher F0 in singers than nonsingers; higher jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR) values were obtained for nonsingers compared to singers. Results from acoustic analysis of male groups revealed significantly higher F0 in singers than nonsingers and significantly higher shimmer and NHR values for nonsingers compared to singers. Results from aerodynamic analysis for both male and female groups revealed higher vital capacity, forced vital capacity, and slow vital capacity in singers than nonsingers. CONCLUSION The results revealed better control over phonatory and respiratory subsystems among singers compared to nonsingers, although the singers were untrained. This could be possible due to the fact that long-term singing practices involving vocal modulation and changes in the breathing pattern, better respiratory control during the expiratory phase among singers. However, as the participants of the singing group are untrained, further studies are required to compare the acoustic and the aerodynamic characteristics with trained singers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - T Saraswathi
- Shravana Institute of Speech and Hearing, Ballari, India
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8
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Brockmann-Bauser M, Bohlender JE, Mehta DD. Acoustic Perturbation Measures Improve with Increasing Vocal Intensity in Individuals With and Without Voice Disorders. J Voice 2018; 32:162-168. [PMID: 28528786 PMCID: PMC7053781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In vocally healthy children and adults, speaking voice loudness differences can significantly confound acoustic perturbation measurements. This study examines the effects of voice sound pressure level (SPL) on jitter, shimmer, and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) in adults with voice disorders and a control group with normal vocal status. STUDY DESIGN This is a matched case-control study. METHODS We assessed 58 adult female voice patients matched according to approximate age and occupation with 58 vocally healthy women. Diagnoses included vocal fold nodules (n = 39, 67.2%), polyps (n = 5, 8.6%), and muscle tension dysphonia (n = 14, 24.1%). All participants sustained the vowel /a/ at soft, comfortable, and loud phonation levels. Acoustic voice SPL, jitter, shimmer, and HNR were computed using Praat. The effects of loudness condition, voice SPL, pathology, differential diagnosis, age, and professional voice use level on acoustic perturbation measures were assessed using linear mixed models and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. RESULTS In both patient and normative control groups, increasing voice SPL correlated significantly (P < 0.001) with decreased jitter and shimmer, and increased HNR. Voice pathology and differential diagnosis were not linked to systematically higher jitter and shimmer. HNR levels, however, were statistically higher in the patient group than in the control group at comfortable phonation levels. Professional voice use level had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on jitter, shimmer, and HNR. CONCLUSIONS The clinical value of acoustic jitter, shimmer, and HNR may be limited if speaking voice SPL and professional voice use level effects are not controlled for. Future studies are warranted to investigate whether perturbation measures are useful clinical outcome metrics when controlling for these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brockmann-Bauser
- Department of Phoniatrics and Speech Pathology, Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - J E Bohlender
- Department of Phoniatrics and Speech Pathology, Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - D D Mehta
- Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 11th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts
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Gunjawate DR, Ravi R, Bellur R. Acoustic Analysis of Voice in Singers: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2018; 61:40-51. [PMID: 29344619 DOI: 10.1044/2017_jslhr-s-17-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Singers are vocal athletes having specific demands from their voice and require special consideration during voice evaluation. Presently, there is a lack of standards for acoustic evaluation in them. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the available literature on the acoustic analysis of voice in singers. METHOD A systematic review of studies on acoustic analysis of voice in singers (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, Cochrane, Ovid, Science Direct, and Shodhganga) was carried out. Key words based on PIO (population-investigation-outcome) were used to develop search strings. Titles and abstracts were screened independently, and appropriate studies were read in full for data extraction. RESULTS Of the 895 studies, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Great variability was noted in the instruments and task used. Different acoustic measures were employed, such as fundamental frequency, perturbation, cepstral, spectral, dysphonia severity index, singing power ratio, and so forth. CONCLUSION Overall, a great heterogeneity was noted regarding population, tasks, instruments, and parameters. There is a lack of standardized criteria for the evaluation of singing voice. In order to implement acoustic analysis as a part of comprehensive voice evaluation exclusively for singers, there is a certain need for methodical sound studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanshree R Gunjawate
- Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, India
| | - Rohit Ravi
- Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajashekhar Bellur
- Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, India
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Seifpanahi S, Izadi F, Jamshidi AA, Torabinezhad F, Sarrafzadeh J, Mohammadi S. Role of the Internal Superior Laryngeal Nerve in the Motor Responses of Vocal Cords and the Related Voice Acoustic Changes. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2016; 41:374-81. [PMID: 27582586 PMCID: PMC4967481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated efforts by researchers to impose voice changes by laryngeal surface electrical stimulation (SES) have come to no avail. This present pre-experimental study employed a novel method for SES application so as to evoke the motor potential of the internal superior laryngeal nerve (ISLN) and create voice changes. METHODS Thirty-two normal individuals (22 females and 10 males) participated in this study. The subjects were selected from the students of Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Two monopolar active electrodes were placed on the thyrohyoid space at the location of the ISLN entrance to the larynx and 1 dispersive electrode was positioned on the back of the neck. A current with special programmed parameters was applied to stimulate the ISLN via the active electrodes and simultaneously the resultant acoustic changes were evaluated. All the means of the acoustic parameters during SES and rest periods were compared using the paired t-test. RESULTS The findings indicated significant changes (P=0.00) in most of the acoustic parameters during SES presentation compared to them at rest. The mean of fundamental frequency standard deviation (SD F0) at rest was 1.54 (SD=0.55) versus 4.15 (SD=3.00) for the SES period. The other investigated parameters comprised fundamental frequency (F0), minimum F0, jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR), mean intensity, and minimum intensity. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrated significant changes in most of the important acoustic features, suggesting that the stimulation of the ISLN via SES could induce motor changes in the vocal folds. The clinical applicability of the method utilized in the current study in patients with vocal fold paralysis requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Seifpanahi
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Izadi
- Division of Laryngology, Rasoul Akram Medical Complex, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Ashraf Jamshidi
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Torabinezhad
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Sarrafzadeh
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Siavash Mohammadi
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Fowler LP, Morris RJ. Comparison of Fundamental Frequency Nasalance between Trained Singers and Nonsingers for Sung Vowels. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2016; 116:739-46. [DOI: 10.1177/000348940711601005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vocal training on fundamental frequency nasalance measures under selected vowel and frequency conditions. Methods: Fundamental frequency nasalance measures were reported for 2 groups of women: 36 trained singers and 36 nonsingers. Each group sang and sustained the vowels (/i/, /æ/, /u/, /a/) for 6 seconds' duration at 3 frequency levels. A 3-second segment from the middle of each vowel was measured to generate fundamental frequency nasalance scores. Results: No significant differences were found in the mean fundamental frequency nasalance scores between the trained singers and the nonsingers. The fundamental frequency nasalance scores were significantly higher for front vowels for both groups. Additionally, both groups displayed a pattern of producing significantly higher fundamental frequency nasalance scores at lower fundamental frequencies than at higher fundamental frequencies. Conclusions: These findings support the practice of training singers to elevate the velum when singing at high frequencies but not when singing at low ones.
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Goy H, Kathleen Pichora-Fuller M, van Lieshout P. Effects of age on speech and voice quality ratings. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 139:1648. [PMID: 27106312 DOI: 10.1121/1.4945094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The quality of communication may be affected by listeners' perception of talkers' characteristics. This study examined if there were effects of talker and listener age on the perception of speech and voice qualities. Younger and older listeners judged younger and older talkers' gender and age, then rated speech samples on pleasantness, naturalness, clarity, ease of understanding, loudness, and the talker's suitability to be an audiobook reader. For the same talkers, listeners also rated voice samples on pleasantness, roughness, and power. Younger and older talkers were perceived to be similar on most qualities except age. Younger and older listeners rated talkers similarly, except that younger listeners perceived younger voices to be more pleasant and less rough than older voices. For vowel samples, younger listeners were more accurate than older listeners at age estimation, while older listeners were more accurate than younger listeners at gender identification, suggesting that younger and older listeners differ in their evaluation of specific talker characteristics. Thus, the perception of quality was generally more affected by the age of the listener than the age of the talker, and age-related differences between listeners depended on whether voice or speech samples were used and the rating being made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Goy
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - M Kathleen Pichora-Fuller
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Pascal van Lieshout
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V7, Canada
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Mendes AP, Rodrigues AF, Guerreiro DM. Acoustic and Phonatory Characterization of the Fado Voice. J Voice 2013; 27:655.e9-655.e15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2012.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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14
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Prakup B. Acoustic Measures of the Voices of Older Singers and Nonsingers. J Voice 2012; 26:341-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Variability in Voice Fundamental Frequency of Sustained Vowels in Speakers With Sensorineural Hearing Loss. J Voice 2012; 26:24-9. [PMID: 21227645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2010.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 10/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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16
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Rehder MIBC, Behlau M. Análise vocal perceptivo-auditiva e acústica, falada e cantada de regentes de coral. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 20:195-200. [DOI: 10.1590/s0104-56872008000300010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2007] [Accepted: 07/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
TEMA: voz de regentes de coral. OBJETIVO: avaliar a qualidade vocal de regentes de corais, nas emissões de uma vogal sustentada, nas modalidades de voz falada e cantada, para observar diferenças auditivas e acústicas. MÉTODO: participaram como sujeitos 100 regentes de coral, em igual número de ambos os sexos, solicitados a emitir a vogal "é" sustentada, nas modalidades de voz falada e cantada. O material de fala foi analisado do ponto de vista perceptivo auditivo e acústico. A análise perceptivo-auditiva foi realizada por dois fonoaudiólogos especialistas em voz. A análise acústica foi realizada com o auxílio do programa computadorizado Doutor Speech (Tiger Eletronics, SRD, EUA, versão 4.0), com a utilização do módulo Real Analysis. RESULTADOS: a análise perceptivo-auditiva da qualidade vocal indicou que a maioria dos regentes possui vozes adaptadas, com maiores alterações na modalidade da voz falada. A análise acústica indicou valores diferentes para os sexos e para as modalidades de emissão. A freqüência fundamental foi mais elevada na voz cantada, assim como os valores do primeiro formante; o segundo formante apresentou valores mais reduzidos para a voz cantada, com significância estatística apenas para as mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: as vozes dos regentes de coral são adaptadas, com menor desvio na voz cantada quando comparada com a falada. As emissões são diferenciadas de acordo com a modalidade, voz falada ou cantada.
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McCrea CR, Morris RJ. Voice onset time for female trained and untrained singers during speech and singing. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2007; 40:418-31. [PMID: 17113096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2006.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2006] [Revised: 09/14/2006] [Accepted: 10/25/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The purpose of this study was to examine the voice onset times of female trained and untrained singers during spoken and sung tasks. Thirty females were digitally recorded speaking and singing short phrases containing the English stop consonants /p/ and /b/ in the word-initial position. Voice onset time was measured for each phoneme and statistically analyzed. Mixed-ANOVAs revealed significantly longer voice onset time durations during speech for /p/ as compared to sung productions. No significant differences between the trained singers and untrained singers were observed. In addition, no task differences occurred for the /b/ productions. The results indicated that the type of phonatory task influences VOT for voiceless stops in females. LEARNING OUTCOMES As a result of this activity, the reader will be able to (1) understand articulatory and phonatory differences between spoken and sung productions; (2) understand the articulatory and phonatory timing differences between trained singers and untrained singers during spoken and sung productions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R McCrea
- Department of Communication Disorders, L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic, Florida State University, 107 Regional Rehabilitation Center, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1200, USA.
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McCrea CR, Watts C. Relations of Singing Talent with Voice Onset Time of Trained and Untrained Female Singers. Percept Mot Skills 2007; 105:133-42. [DOI: 10.2466/pms.105.1.133-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study examined phonatory-articulatory timing during sung productions by trained and untrained female singers with and without singing talent. 31 untrained female singers were divided into two groups (talented or untalented) based on the perceptual judgments of singing talent by two experienced vocal instructors. In addition to the untrained singers, 24 trained female singers were recorded singing America the Beautiful, and voice onset time was measured for selected words containing /p, b, g, k/. Univariate analyses of variance indicated that phonatory-articulatory timing, as measured with voice onset time, was different among the three groups for /g/, with the untrained-untalented singers displaying longer voice onset time than the trained singers. No other significant differences were observed across the other phonemes. Despite a significant difference observed, relatively small effect sizes and statistical power make it difficult to draw any conclusions regarding the usefulness of voice onset time as an indicator of singing talent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Watts
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University
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Lee GS, Hsiao TY, Yang CCH, Kuo TBJ. Effects of Speech Noise on Vocal Fundamental Frequency Using Power Spectral Analysis. Ear Hear 2007; 28:343-50. [PMID: 17485983 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0b013e318047936f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between auditory function and vocal fundamental frequency (F0) using binaural masking with speech noise during sustained vowel vocalization. DESIGN Eight healthy subjects were instructed to vocalize the sustained vowel /a/ at the intensities of 65 to 75 dBA and 90 to 100 dBA as steadily as possible. The phonations without noise masking were compared with the phonations under masking with 85-dBA speech noise presented to both ears through headphones. The F0s were obtained by using autocorrelation of the voice signals and were converted to cents to form a F0 sequence. The power spectrum of the F0 sequence was then acquired using fast Fourier transformation. RESULTS A significant increase in the power spectrum in the frequency range of <3 Hz (p < 0.05, paired Student t-test) appeared under noise masking. A negative feedback control of the auditory system on F0 is suggested regarding F0 modulations of <3 Hz. CONCLUSIONS The auditory system helps control a stable F0 during sustained vowel production by decreasing F0 modulation at <3 Hz. Power spectral analysis of F0 may be used to assess the interaction between F0 production and auditory feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-She Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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McCrea CR, Morris RJ. Effects of Vocal Training and Phonatory Task on Voice Onset Time. J Voice 2007; 21:54-63. [PMID: 16426814 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2005.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2005] [Accepted: 05/18/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal-acoustic differences between trained singers and nonsingers during speech and singing tasks. METHODS Thirty male participants were separated into two groups of 15 according to level of vocal training (ie, trained or untrained). The participants spoke and sang carrier phrases containing English voiced and voiceless bilabial stops, and voice onset time (VOT) was measured for the stop consonant productions. RESULTS Mixed analyses of variance revealed a significant main effect between speech and singing for /p/ and /b/, with VOT durations longer during speech than singing for /p/, and the opposite true for /b/. Furthermore, a significant phonatory task by vocal training interaction was observed for /p/ productions. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that the type of phonatory task influences VOT and that these influences are most obvious in trained singers secondary to the articulatory and phonatory adjustments learned during vocal training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R McCrea
- Department of Communicative Disorders, East Tennessee State University, Johnson, City, Tennessee 37614, USA.
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MCCREA CHRISTOPHERR. RELATIONS OF SINGING TALENT WITH VOICE ONSET TIME OF TRAINED AND UNTRAINED FEMALE SINGERS. Percept Mot Skills 2007. [DOI: 10.2466/pms.105.5.133-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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McCrea CR, Morris RJ. Comparisons of Voice Onset Time for Trained Male Singers and Male Nonsingers During Speaking and Singing. J Voice 2005; 19:420-30. [PMID: 16102668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2004.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to examine the temporal acoustic differences between male trained singers and nonsingers during speaking and singing across voiced and voiceless English stop consonants. Recordings were made of 5 trained singers and 5 nonsingers, and acoustically analyzed for voice onset time (VOT). A mixed analysis of variance showed that the male trained singers had significantly longer mean VOT than did the nonsingers during voiceless stop production. Sung productions of voiceless stops had significantly longer mean VOTs than did the spoken productions. No significant differences were observed for the voiced stops, nor were any interactions observed. These results indicated that vocal training and phonatory task have a significant influence on VOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R McCrea
- College of Communication, Department of Communication Disorders, L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 32306, USA.
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Mendes AP, Brown WS, Rothman HB, Sapienza C. Effects of singing training on the speaking voice of voice majors. J Voice 2004; 18:83-9. [PMID: 15070227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2003.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2003] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This longitudinal study gathered data with regard to the question: Does singing training have an effect on the speaking voice? Fourteen voice majors (12 females and two males; age range 17 to 20 years) were recorded once a semester for four consecutive semesters, while sustaining vowels and reading the "Rainbow Passage." Acoustic measures included speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) and sound pressure level (SLP). Perturbation measures included jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio. Temporal measures included sentence, consonant, and diphthong durations. Results revealed that, as the number of semesters increased, the SFF increased while jitter and shimmer slightly decreased. Repeated measure analysis, however, indicated that none of the acoustic, temporal, or perturbation differences were statistically significant. These results confirm earlier cross-sectional studies that compared singers with nonsingers, in that singing training mostly affects the singing voice and rarely the speaking voice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P Mendes
- Instituto de Engenharia Electrónica e Telemática de Aveiro, Universidade de Aveiro, Escola Superior de Saúde, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Abstract
The primary goal of this study was to characterize a performer's singing and speaking voice. One woman was not admitted to a premier choral group, but her sister, who was comparable in physical characteristics and background, was admitted and provided a valuable control subject. The perceptual judgment of a vocal coach who conducted the group's auditions was decisive in discriminating these 2 singers. The singer not admitted to the group described a history of voice pathology, lacked a functional head register, and spoke with a voice characterized by hoarseness. Multiple listener judgments and acoustic and aerodynamic evaluations of both singers provided a more systematic basis for determining: 1) the phonatory basis for this judgment; 2) whether similar judgments would be made by groups of vocal coaches and speech-language pathologists; and 3) whether the type of tasks (e.g., sung vs. spoken) would influence these judgments. Statistically significant differences were observed between the ratings of vocal health provided by two different groups of listeners. Significant interactions were also observed as a function of the types of voice samples heard by these listeners. Instrumental analyses provided evidence that, in comparison to her sister, the rejected singer had a compromised vocal range, glottal insufficiencies as assessed aerodynamically and electroglottographically, and impaired acoustic quality, especially in her speaking voice.
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Rothman HB, Brown WS, LaFond JR. Spectral changes due to performance environment in singers, nonsingers, and actors. J Voice 2002; 16:323-32. [PMID: 12395985 DOI: 10.1016/s0892-1997(02)00104-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
From postrecording interviews of professional singers, it was hypothesized that recording environments, i.e., sound-treated environment versus an auditorium, may induce different vocal behaviors. To test this hypothesis, three groups consisting of nonsingers, singers, and actors were recorded in two different recording environments: a sound-treated booth (IAC) and an auditorium (AUD). Three recordings were obtained from each participant: recording one (IAC) and two (AUD1) required the participants to read in a normal voice; recording three (AUD2) required participants to pretend that they were "performing" before a full house. Results indicated that only the singers and the actors exhibited significant spectral and/or frequency/duration differences from one recording environment to another, with the most dramatic differences exhibited by the singers. It was concluded that the environment in which we record experimental samples from professional voice users, especially singers, should be considered as a variable that can affect results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard B Rothman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-7420, USA.
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