Feasibility of measurement of a voice range profile with a semi-occluded vocal tract

Abstract

Semi-occlusion of the vocal tract may provide a new method for assessing ranges of F₀ and a physiological correlate of vocal intensity. Signals can be obtained without concern about room noise, steadiness in mouth-to-microphone distance, and possibly without vocal injury caused by excessive loudness produced. Nine volunteers participated. Steady and acoustic pressures behind the lips were measured. Traditional voice range profiles were obtained on the vowels /α/ and /u/ for comparison. Range of F₀ was not limited in most subjects with the semi-occlusion but may be restricted in some subjects. In the lower portion of the F₀ range, the highest and lowest steady pressures at the semi-occlusion constitute an oral pressure range profile.

Key words::

• Semi-occluded vocal tract
• voice range profile

Acknowledgements

Funding for this work was provided by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Grant No. 5 R01 DC004224 08. The authors would like to thank the Summer Vocology Class of 2008 for their assistance in data collection and data preparation.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.