Normative Standards for Vocal Tract Dimensions by Race as Measured by Acoustic Pharyngometry

Abstract

Acoustic pharyngometry evaluates the geometry of the vocal tract with acoustic reflections and provides information about vocal tract cross-sectional area and volume from lip to the glottis. Variations in vocal tract diameters are needed for speech scientists to validate various acoustic models and for medical professionals since the advent of endoscopic surgical techniques. Race is known to be one of the most important factors affecting the oral and nasal structures. This study compared vocal tract dimensions of White American, African American, and Chinese male and female speakers. One hundred and twenty healthy adult subjects with equal numbers of men and women were divided among three races. Subjects were controlled for age, gender, height, and weight. Six dimensional parameters of the speakers' vocal tract cavities were measured with acoustic reflection technology (AR). Significant gender and race main effects were found in certain vocal tract dimensions. The findings of this study now provide speech scientists, speech-language pathologists, and other health professionals with a new anatomical database of vocal tract variations for adult speakers from three different races.