Vibratory characteristics of the vocal folds in young adult and geriatric women

Abstract

Acoustic, aerodynamic, and videostroboscopic measures of vocal fold function were collected and analyzed during phonation of the vowel /i/ on 20 geriatric and 20 young adult normal female speakers. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures were analyzed for mean fundamental frequency, mean percent jitter, shimmer, sound pressure level, and mean airflow rate. Results indicate that the geriatric women exhibited greater shimmer and more intersubject variability in F0 and mean airflow rate. Stroboscopic findings revealed a geriatric profile of greater aperiodicity, incomplete glottal closure, mucosal wave alterations, and reduced amplitude of vibration when compared to their younger counterparts. The findings are discussed in terms of the reported age-related anatomic and physiologic changes. Acoustic, aerodynamic, and videostroboscopic measures of vocal fold function were collected and analyzed during phonation of the vowel /i/ on 20 geriatric and 20 young adult normal female speakers. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures were analyzed for mean fundamental frequency, mean percent jitter, shimmer, sound pressure level, and mean airflow rate. Results indicate that the geriatric women exhibited greater shimmer and more intersubject variability in F0 and mean airflow rate. Stroboscopic findings revealed a geriatric profile of greater aperiodicity, incomplete glottal closure, mucosal wave alterations, and reduced amplitude of vibration when compared to their younger counterparts. The findings are discussed in terms of the reported age-related anatomic and physiologic changes.