Effect of Voice Projection Training on Acoustic and Auditory-Perceptual Characteristics of Voice in Tamil-Speaking Imams

Abstract

Imams are professional voice users at risk of developing voice problems. Speech-Language Pathologists need to provide intervention programs to target risk factors associated with voice disorders and improve the voice quality of Imams. However, studies examining the effect of vocal training for Imams are limited in the literature. This study attempted to document the acoustic and auditory-perceptual changes in the voices of Tamil-speaking Imams with a voice projection training program. Eleven Tamil-speaking Imams participated in a voice projection training program. Voice samples were recorded at four specific time points before, during, and after the voice projection training. These recordings were subjected to various acoustic analyses (AVQI, Dr Speech, and MDVP) and auditory-perceptual analysis (CAPE-V) to determine the changes with the voice projection training. Auditory-Perceptual analysis carried out by five experienced SLPs suggested significant changes in the voice quality of the participants with voice projection training. High inter-rater reliability was observed across the judges as well. We observed positive changes in several acoustic measures indicated within AVQI, Dr Speech, and MDVP software. These primarily included changes in fundamental frequency, noise related measures (HNR, SNR), and perturbation measures. Voice projection training positively impacts the acoustic and auditory-perceptual characteristics of the voices of Tamil-speaking Imams.