Abstract
PurposeAcoustic and perceptual studies show a number of differences between the voices of radio performers and controls. Despite this, the vocal fold kinematics underlying these differences are largely unknown. Using high-speed videoendoscopy, this study sought to determine whether the vocal vibration features of radio performers differed from those of non-performing controls.MethodUsing high-speed videoendoscopy, recordings of a mid-phonatory/i/ in 16 male radio performers (aged 25–52 years) and 16 age-matched controls (aged 25–52 years) were collected. Videos were extracted and analysed semi-automatically using High-Speed Video Program, obtaining measures of fundamental frequency (f0), open quotient and speed quotient. Post-hoc analyses of sound pressure level (SPL) were also performed (n = 19). Pearson's correlations were calculated between SPL and both speed and open quotients.ResultsMale radio performers had a significantly higher speed quotient than their matched controls (t = 3.308, p = 0.005). No significant differences were found for f0 or open quotient. No significant correlation was found between either open or speed quotient with SPL.DiscussionA higher speed quotient in male radio performers suggests that their vocal fold vibration was characterised by a higher ratio of glottal opening to closing times than controls. This result may explain findings of better voice quality, higher equivalent sound level and greater spectral tilt seen in previous research. Open quotient was not significantly different between groups, indicating that the durations of complete vocal fold closure were not different between the radio performers and controls. Further validation of these results is required to determine the aetiology of the higher speed quotient result and its implications for voice training and clinical management in performers.
Highlights
Radio performers are a group of professional voice performers for whom efficient vocal function and good vocal quality are integral to occupational success [1,2]
A higher speed quotient in male radio performers suggests that their vocal fold vibration was characterised by a higher ratio of glottal opening to closing times than controls
Given that the acoustic and perceptual characteristics of the voice are manipulated at a physiological level – in vocal fold vibration or vocal tract shaping [8] – these studies imply that the vocal physiology of radio performers, actors and singers, differs from that of controls [6,9]
Summary
Radio performers are a group of professional voice performers for whom efficient vocal function and good vocal quality are integral to occupational success [1,2]. Waveforms of glottal contact and flow collected using EGG and flow glottography respectively, have been analysed quantitatively using a range of different algorithms, yielding various results and interpretations [15,16,17] Despite this variability, these studies have often utilised measures of vocal fold opening/closing rate (e.g., speed quotient (SQ),) and the durations over which the vocal folds are open and closed within each glottal cycle (e.g., open or closed quotients) [17], as they help determine the power and timbre of the sound [8]. These measures appear to reflect salient physiological features of voice production in all speakers, vocal performers [15,18,19]
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