Fundamental frequency variability in elderly women during production of stressed and unstressed words.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine intrasubject and intersubject fundamental frequency (F0) variability in a group of young adult and elderly female speakers during the production of stressed and unstressed words. While both groups exhibited greater intersubject variability during stressed versus unstressed productions, stressed productions were more variable in the elderly women than in the young adults. Also, the elderly women exhibited greater intrasubject variability during stressed and unstressed productions relative to young adults. Implications of these findings were discussed.