Title

The relation between acoustic and perceptual characteristics of laryngeal, excellent tracheoesophageal and excellent esophageal speakers

Date of Completion

January 1998

Keywords

Health Sciences, Speech Pathology

Degree

Ph.D.

Abstract

This study quantified and compared seven acoustic characteristics of male and female tracheoesophageal (TE), standard esophageal (SE) and laryngeal speakers. Perceptual ratings of Voice Quality, Phrasing, Pitch, Rate, Pause Time, Acceptability were also obtained and statistical differences in mean scores of the three speaker groups as well as gender differences were analyzed. Results indicated no significant difference between TE and SE speakers with regard to Mean Fo $/\alpha{\bf /},$ Mean Fo (reading), S/N Ratio, Mean Pause Time, Syllables/Minute. SE speakers demonstrated more pauses than TE speakers and TE speakers had more pauses than LA speakers. Both alaryngeal groups demonstrated lower mean Fo $/\alpha{\bf /},$ lower Mean Fo (reading), fewer syllables/minute values, higher S/N Ratio values, more frequent pauses and longer Mean Pause Time when compared to LA speakers. Results for perceptual variables were dependent upon listener sophistication, gender and speaker type. Multiple regression analyses indicated Acceptability and Voice Quality were related to S/N Ratio, Syllables/Minute was related to Rate, and Pitch and Mean Fo were related. Differences in Multiple Regression results were found between male and female and TE, SE and LA speakers. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings that TE and LA speech are acoustically and perceptually similar. ^

Link to Full Text
COinS