Quantitative measurement of speech sound distortions due to inadequate dental mounting

Abstract

In this paper, the most adequate quantitative parameters are sought that reflect the dependence of speech sound distortions on the correct position of dental mountings. We suggest the Hurst fractal exponent and some parameters calculated from the Paul wavelet transform of speech sound are useful as quantitative parameters. The investigations are focussed on the alterations of the first /s/ phoneme when the patient produces the Sisyphe sound. The results will be useful to obtain a rigorous, computer assisted method to establish (design) the optimal parameters of prosthetic mounts in order to ensure best speech quality.

Keywords:

• Signal analysis
• Speech quality
• Wavelet transform
• Hurst exponent
• Prosthodontic products
• Fractal analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to acknowledge to professors D. Bratu and M. Românu, for encouraging our research in this field and for their helpful opinions.