This research project consist of acoustic and biomechanic investigations of the function of the human larynx in phonation.
Specific aims are (1) to develop a quantitative theory of fundamental frequency (Fo) control in phonation, (2) to determine the sources of irregularity of vocal fold vibration, (3) to discover the mechanisms of voluntary and involuntary register transitions, (4) to study the relationship between vocal fold hydration and phonation threshold pressure, (5) to study the relationship between mechanical stress in vocal fold tissue and modes of vibration, and (6) to design and construct an artificial larynx for research purposes. Together, the studies constitute an investigation of the physical and biomechanic properties of the major sound source in speech production. The outcome of the studies will have direct impact on diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders. Experimental procedures include the use of laboratory animals (compliance with recent animal care recommendation) and human subjects whenever necessary, but the bulk of the experimentation is done on physical and computer simulation models. In particular, a finite-element simulation model of vocal fold vibration is used to integrate fragmentary pieces of information obtained in isolated experiments. This allows for a high degree of theoretical interpretability of the data obtained from animals and human subjects.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Type
DUNS #
041294109
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
Robin, Donald A; Jacks, Adam; Hageman, Carlin et al. (2008) Visuomotor tracking abilities of speakers with apraxia of speech or conduction aphasia. Brain Lang 106:98-106
Palmer, Phyllis M; Jaffe, Debra M; McCulloch, Timothy M et al. (2008) Quantitative contributions of the muscles of the tongue, floor-of-mouth, jaw, and velum to tongue-to-palate pressure generation. J Speech Lang Hear Res 51:828-35
Ballard, K J; Robin, D A (2007) Influence of continual biofeedback on jaw pursuit-tracking in healthy adults and in adults with apraxia plus aphasia. J Mot Behav 39:19-28
Luschei, Erich S; Ramig, Lorraine O; Finnegan, Eileen M et al. (2006) Patterns of laryngeal electromyography and the activity of the respiratory system during spontaneous laughter. J Neurophysiol 96:442-50
Solomon, Nancy Pearl; Robin, Donald A (2005) Perceptions of effort during handgrip and tongue elevation in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 11:353-61
Kuehn, David P; Moon, Jerald B (2005) Histologic study of intravelar structures in normal human adult specimens. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 42:481-9
Solomon, Nancy Pearl (2004) Assessment of tongue weakness and fatigue. Int J Orofacial Myology 30:8-19
Ramig, Lorraine Olson; Fox, Cynthia; Sapir, Shimon (2004) Parkinson's disease: speech and voice disorders and their treatment with the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. Semin Speech Lang 25:169-80
Ritchie, Justine M; Smith, Elaine M; Summersgill, Kurt F et al. (2003) Human papillomavirus infection as a prognostic factor in carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Int J Cancer 104:336-44
Finnegan, Eileen M; Luschei, Erich S; Barkmeier, Julie M et al. (2003) Synchrony of laryngeal muscle activity in persons with vocal tremor. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 129:313-8

Showing the most recent 10 out of 151 publications