Our hypothesis for years has been that the vocal fold vibratory pattern is perhaps the major factor relating laryngeal function to the sound produced. Thus, a laryngeal dysfunction (or pathology) becomes acoustically perceptible when the dysfunction alters the vocal fold vibratory pattern. We believe the inference about and the classification of laryngeal dysfunction can be improved through the combined use of perceptual laryngeal evaluation and quantitative, objective data on vocal fold vibratory characteristics. Our hypotheses about laryngeal function and methods for improving its assessment will be field tested on a clinical population. The data base for the project will consist of patient voices judged as deviant at the 80% level or higher by naive judges. The vocal disorders will be determined as either functional or organic. These judges will be perceptually classified by Drs. Moore and Hicks. Quantitative data on each voice will be obtained using 1) the electroglottographic (EGG) signal (validated via ultra-high speed laryngeal films), 2) the acoustic signal, and 3) the syntheses of the utterance. These three data sets will be examined for key features which will facilitate the classification of the deviant voices into appropriate categories. A second perceptual classification of the deviant voices by Drs. Moore and Hicks will be done using both the recorded acoustic and measured data. The results of both perceptual classifications will be compared. The major objective is to establish whether or not laryngeal function can be accurately and consistently a) inferred and b) classified by using both objective and perceptual data. The conclusions will be validated using independent naive and skilled judges. They will be asked to replicate the classification of the deviant voices. First, these judges will use only perceptual data. Second, they will be taught the use of the objective data we found useful for aiding the inference and classification of the voices. A second classification of the deviant voices will be made by these judges using both the perceptual and objective data.
| Eskenazi, L; Childers, D G; Hicks, D M (1990) Acoustic correlates of vocal quality. J Speech Hear Res 33:298-306 |
| Childers, D G; Hicks, D M; Moore, G P et al. (1990) Electroglottography and vocal fold physiology. J Speech Hear Res 33:245-54 |
| Childers, D G; Hicks, D M; Moore, G P et al. (1986) A model for vocal fold vibratory motion, contact area, and the electroglottogram. J Acoust Soc Am 80:1309-20 |
| Childers, D G; Krishnamurthy, A K (1985) A critical review of electroglottography. Crit Rev Biomed Eng 12:131-61 |
