Simultaneous measurement of respiratory and laryngeal function during comfortable, soft, and loud speech

Abstract

It is well known that both respiratory and laryngeal mechanisms are involved in changing vocal intensity [T. J. Hixon, JSHR 16, 78–115 (1973); N. Isshiki, JSHR 7, 17–29 (1964)], although these have generally been studied separately. The present investigation studied these functions simultaneously while adult speakers produced comfortable, soft, and loud speech. Respiratory function was measured using linearized magnetometers. Laryngeal function was assessed using an electroglottograph and circumferentially vented pneumotachograph. An intraoral air pressure tube was used for estimating subglottal pressure. Analysis of preliminary respiratory data showed the following trends: increased ribcage‐, abdominal‐, and lung‐volume initiations, terminations, and excursions for loud as compared to soft and comfortable speech. Preliminary laryngeal function data indicate that open quotient decreased and estimated laryngeal resistance increased for loud as compared to comfortable and soft speech. Intraoral air pressure values doubled from comfortable to loud speech. Results indicate that respiratory and laryngeal systems are synchronized to produce changes in vocal intensity. Individual subject variability will be discussed in the presentation. [Work supported by NIH.]