Estimation of the contact pressure on the medial surface of the vocal folds during phonation.

Abstract

Voice production involves flow‐induced self‐oscillations of the vocal folds. Collision between the vocal folds is commonly observed during normal phonation. The contact pressure experienced by human vocal folds during collision is usually considered as the most likely source of phonotrauma. The goal of the present study was to quantify contact pressures in human subjects during phonation. A pressure sensor was developed for direct measurements. Verification data and preliminary data on human subjects were obtained. Subject response and other clinical challenges lead to the development of a less intrusive approach for the contact pressure estimation from high speed images based on a Hertzian impact model. A verification of the accuracy of this approach was made. Results from the nonintrusive approach were compared with results from direct measurements using a hemilaryngeal physical model of the human vocal folds. The experimental setup was designed to reduce sensor’s interference with the vocal fold oscillations. The accuracy of the estimated contact pressure from the nonintrusive method was found to be within around 10%. Advantages and possible sources of error are discussed. [Work supported by NIH.]