Averages of Sound Pressure Levels and Mean Fundamental Frequencies of Speech in Relation to Phonetograms: Comparison of Nonorganic Dysphoria Patients Before and After Therapy

Abstract

The interdependence of changes in mean fundamental frequency and mean phonatory sound level, before and after voice treatment, was studied in 22 female and 11 male patients suffering from nonorganic dysphonia. All patients read continuous texts at three different vocal loudness levels, and also while being exposed to a filtered noise. After the reading sessions, phonetograms were recorded. The female patients achieved a higher mean sound level during the speech test after therapy. By contrast, the male patients increased their mean fundamental frequencies less during noise exposure after therapy, while the female patients retained essentially the same mean fundamental frequencies afterwards. The female patients produced a significantly higher upper phonetogram contour after therapy, whereas the male patients lowered their lower phonetogram contour.

Key Words:

• equivalent continuous sound level (L_eq)
• sound pressure level (SPL)
• semitones (st)
• filtered noise
• soft phonation
• loud phonation