Şarkı Söyleyen Erkek Çocuklarda Ses Değişimi: Tanı ve Uzaktan Gözlemleme

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is confirmation of the two assumptions: 1) The possibility of using computerized acoustic speech analysis of singing boys to determine the onset of mutation; 2) The ability to monitor the mutation process remotely using a smart phone. Material and Methods: Thirty singing boys from two groups were examined. The first group consisted of 15 subjects aged 11 years 10 months to 12 years 4 months. The second group consisted of 15 subjects aged 12 years 10 months to 13 years 2 months. The investigation included laryngoscopy and an acoustic test. Fundamental frequency of speech (SF0) was determined using computer program Praat. Adolescents read standard text for 10-15 seconds. In 10 adolescents from the second group, who had difficulty while singing high notes, the mutation was monitored remotely. For this purpose, the text was recorded by the adolescent on a personal smartphone 4 times per year at 3 months' intervals. The sound files were sent via the Internet to the acoustic laboratory for SF0 estimation. Results: It was found that the mean SF0 value in subjects of the second group was lower than in subjects of the first group. This could be considered as the beginning of a mutation in the majority of adolescents of the second group. Remote monitoring of the mutation revealed a decrease in SF0 magnitudes in all subjects during 9th to 12th month. Conclusion: Acoustic speech analysis is suitable for determining the onset of vocal mutation in singing boys. This process can be monitored remotely using smartphones.