Voice and speech range profiles and Voice Handicap Index for males — methodological issues and data

Abstract

Reference data for speech range profiles (SRP), voice range profiles (VRP), and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) are presented for Swedish males (n = 30). For comparisons, individual data for four male contact granuloma patients are also reported. For the vocally healthy group mean values were: speaking fundamental frequency 123 Hz (SD 12.1), speaking equivalent level, Leq, 72.2 dB (SD 2.1), SRP area 142 ST*dB (SD 24.1), and VRP area 1,706 ST*dB (SD 340). Mean VHI was 5 (SD 4.8). Test-retest recordings of VRP and SRP for three subjects suggested good reliability. SRP and VRP values for three of the patients fell more than 2 SD outside the reference values. Protocols and results are discussed and standardized recording and analyses procedures are suggested.

Key words::

• Contact granuloma
• healthy voice
• male voice
• phonetogram
• speech range profile
• voice range profile, voice handicap index

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank Hans Larsson for technical support, Sten Ternström for advice on interpretation and presentation of results, Sharon L. Weinberg for advice on statistical analyses, and two reviewers for comments on a previous version of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.