Effects of different cognitive functions on acoustic voice parameters in young adults

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different cognitive functions on acoustic voice parameters by recording the use of cognitive functions during extended /a/ phonation in young adults. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted with a total of 31 participants (8 males, 23 females, mean age: 22.3±1.1 years; range, 18 to 30 years) between June 14, 2023 and August 23, 2023. The mean fundamental frequency (F0), jitter (local), jitter (rap), shimmer (local), shimmer dB, and mean harmonics-to-noise ratio values were analyzed as acoustic voice parameters in a total of 186 voice recordings taken in six tasks, including normal and other five tasks (visual attention, language, auditory memory, visual memory, and working memory). Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the acoustic parameters of the six tasks (p<0.001). Shimmer dB showed a statistically significant difference between the auditory memory task and normal state, visual attention and normal state, and working memory and normal state (p<0.05). Conclusion: Different cognitive functions, especially auditory memory, visual attention, and working memory, may have an effect on acoustic voice parameters. Therefore, cognitive functions can be evaluated to identify deficiencies in the relevant cognitive area, and working on these cognitive functions together with voice therapy may shorten the therapy process.