The broad long-term objective of the present series of studies is to investigate speech motor control in children from a developmental perspective. Data will be collected from children using a mixed- longitudinal design. Respiratory and laryngeal kinematic data will be collected while children and adults speak normally, and at a loud vocal intensity level. Collection of respiratory data will initially evaluate alternative transduction systems - linearized magnetometers and Respigraph. Laryngeal data will be collected with an electroglottograph and pneumotachograph: the electroglottographic waveform will be interpreted in conjunction with the inverse-filtered glottal airflow waveform. Dependent measures for respiration include per cent vital capacity used, maximum end-inspiratory level, and maximum end-expiratory level. Descriptions of the relative contribution of the rib cage and abdomen will be made for individual subjects. Dependent measures for laryngeal movement include open quotient, closed quotient and slope of the closing portion of the electroglottograph waveform. Variability of these data will be studied and interpretations about speech motor control will be made. Finally, a methodological study will be conducted to determine whether linearized magnetometers or Respigraph will be more efficient for sensing respiratory kinematics in children, and to determine whether the two devices will yield similar measures. The specific research questions are as follows: (a) At what age/s do children begin to use a similar respiratory-laryngeal mechanism as adults to vary vocal intensity? (b) What is the nature of the respiratory mechanism that is used by children? (c) Do children use a laryngeal mechanism when increasing their vocal intensity? (d) Are children's respiratory and laryngeal movement data more variable from each other depending on age and are children as a group more variable than adults? (e) What is the most efficient sensing device for measuring respiratory kinematics in children? Data will contribute to the establishment of a developmental model of speech motor control and provide a valid functionally informed basis for treating disordered speech motor control in children.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29DC000516-05
Application #
2125754
Study Section
Sensory Disorders and Language Study Section (CMS)
Project Start
1989-07-01
Project End
1994-12-31
Budget Start
1993-07-01
Budget End
1994-12-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
038633251
City
Buffalo
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14260
Sapienza, C M; Stathopoulos, E T; Dromey, C (1998) Approximations of open quotient and speed quotient from glottal airflow and EGG waveforms: effects of measurement criteria and sound pressure level. J Voice 12:31-43
Stathopoulos, E T; Sapienza, C M (1997) Developmental changes in laryngeal and respiratory function with variations in sound pressure level. J Speech Lang Hear Res 40:595-614
Sapienza, C M; Stathopoulos, E T; Brown Jr, W S (1997) Speech breathing during reading in women with vocal nodules. J Voice 11:195-201
Tang, J; Stathopoulos, E T (1995) Vocal efficiency as a function of vocal intensity: a study of children, women, and men. J Acoust Soc Am 97:1885-92
Sapienza, C M; Stathopoulos, E T (1995) Speech task effects on acoustic and aerodynamic measures of women with vocal nodules. J Voice 9:413-8
Sapienza, C M; Stathopoulos, E T (1994) Respiratory and laryngeal measures of children and women with bilateral vocal fold nodules. J Speech Hear Res 37:1229-43
Sapienza, C M; Stathopoulos, E T (1994) Comparison of maximum flow declination rate: children versus adults. J Voice 8:240-7
Stathopoulos, E T; Sapienza, C (1993) Respiratory and laryngeal function of women and men during vocal intensity variation. J Speech Hear Res 36:64-75
Stathopoulos, E T; Sapienza, C (1993) Respiratory and laryngeal measures of children during vocal intensity variation. J Acoust Soc Am 94:2531-43
Stathopoulos, E T; Hoit, J D; Hixon, T J et al. (1991) Respiratory and laryngeal function during whispering. J Speech Hear Res 34:761-7