Changes In Acoustic Parameters Research Articles

Voice aspects in children with precocious puberty

PurposeIn this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the difference in voice acoustic parameters between girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) and those who developed normally during prepuberty. Materials and methodsOur study recruited 54 girls diagnosed with ICPP and randomly sampled 51 healthy prepubertal girls as the control. Tanner stages, circulating hormone levels and bone ages of the girls with ICPP and the age and body mass index (BMI) of all participants were recorded. Acoustic analyses were performed using PRAAT computer-based voice analysis software and the mean pitch (F0), jitter, shimmer, noise-to harmonic-ratio (NHR) and harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR) values were compared in the patient and control groups. ResultsThe two groups did not significantly differ in age or BMI. In the evaluation of the F0 and jitter values, we were found to be lower in the control group than in the patient group. However, we did not find a statistical significance. The mean shimmer values of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the control group. In addition, a statistically significant difference was noted for the mean HNR and NHR values (P < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between shimmer and hormone levels in the patient group. ConclusionsVoice acoustic parameters one of the defining features of girls with ICPP. Voice changes in acoustic parameters could reflect hormonal changes during puberty. Clinicians should suspect ICPP when there is a change in the voice.

Short-term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on motor speech in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.

Hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) is a common motor speech symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) which does not respond well to PD treatments. We investigated short-term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on HD in PD using acoustic analysis of speech. Based on our previous studies we focused on stimulation of the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) - an auditory feedback area. In 14 PD patients with HD, we applied anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS to the right STG using a cross-over design. A protocol consisting of speech tasks was performed prior to and immediately after each stimulation session. Linear mixed models were used for the evaluation of the effects of each stimulation condition on the relative change of acoustic parameters. We also performed a simulation of the mean electric field induced by tDCS. Linear mixed model showed a statistically significant effect of the stimulation condition on the relative change of median duration of silences longer than 50 ms (p = 0.015). The relative change after the anodal stimulation (mean = -5.9) was significantly lower as compared to the relative change after the sham stimulation (mean = 12.8), p = 0.014. We also found a correlation between the mean electric field magnitude in the right STG and improvement of articulation precision after anodal tDCS (R = 0.637; p = 0.019). The exploratory study showed that anodal tDCS applied over the auditory feedback area may lead to shorter pauses in a speech of PD patients.

Effect of Partial Deafness on Voice in Children

Elevated hearing thresholds cause disturbances in auditory control of voice. This leads to voice disorders that are described by changes in acoustic parameters of voice measured objectively. Voice changes can also be detected by perceptive assessment with GRBAS scale.This article presents the results of the study performed to analyze voice characteristics in a group of children with prelingual partial deafness (PD), a condition with normal hearing at low frequencies and deep hypoacusis (near deafness) at high frequencies. Voice disorders accompanying partial deafness were not a subject of the intensive study before, therefore our study provides valuable data and help to understand more complex clinical aspects of PD.The study showed that voice characteristics in children with PD differs from children with normal hearing and shows some differences compared to voice of children with other types of hearing impairment. Major changes in PD are seen in frequency (F0, vF0), amplitude (vAm, sAPQ), noise (NHR), and tremor (FTRI) parameters. The changes were present in all groups of objective measures, which makes a difference versus normal hearing; however the most significant changes were seen in a narrower range of parameters compared to children in other types of hearing impairment.Objective parameters correlate with the subjective features of voice of children with partial deafness. With use of GRBAS scale, subjective voice assessment showed elevated indices of grade, roughness, breathy, asthenic and strained voice, which described slightly harsh, breathy, dull, and a little tensed voice.

Levodopa may modulate specific speech impairment in Parkinson's disease: an fMRI study.

Hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) is a difficult-to-treat symptom affecting quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Levodopa may partially alleviate some symptoms of HD in PD, but the neural correlates of these effects are not fully understood. The aim of our study was to identify neural mechanisms by which levodopa affects articulation and prosody in patients with PD. Altogether 20 PD patients participated in a task fMRI study (overt sentence reading). Using a single dose of levodopa after an overnight withdrawal of dopaminergic medication, levodopa-induced BOLD signal changes within the articulatory pathway (in regions of interest; ROIs) were studied. We also correlated levodopa-induced BOLD signal changes with the changes in acoustic parameters of speech. We observed no significant changes in acoustic parameters due to acute levodopa administration. After levodopa administration as compared to the OFF dopaminergic condition, patients showed task-induced BOLD signal decreases in the left ventral thalamus (p = 0.0033). The changes in thalamic activation were associated with changes in pitch variation (R = 0.67, p = 0.006), while the changes in caudate nucleus activation were related to changes in the second formant variability which evaluates precise articulation (R = 0.70, p = 0.003). The results are in line with the notion that levodopa does not have a major impact on HD in PD, but it may induce neural changes within the basal ganglia circuitries that are related to changes in speech prosody and articulation.

Maternal immune activation affects socio-communicative behavior in adult rats

A wide body of evidence suggests a relationship between maternal immune activation (MIA) and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since social and communicative deficits are included in the first diagnostic criterion of ASD, we aimed to characterize socio-communicative behaviors in the MIA model based on prenatal exposure to poly(I:C). Our previous studies demonstrated impaired socio-communicative functioning in poly(I:C)-exposed adolescent rats. Therefore, the current study sought to clarify whether these changes would persist beyond adolescence. For this purpose, we analyzed behavior during the social interaction test and recorded ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) accompanying interactions between adult poly(I:C) rats. The results demonstrated that the altered pattern of social behavior in poly(I:C) males was accompanied by the changes in acoustic parameters of emitted USVs. Poly(I:C) males also demonstrated an impaired olfactory preference for social stimuli. While poly(I:C) females did not differ from controls in socio-positive behaviors, they displayed aggression during the social encounter and were more reactive to somatosensory stimulation. Furthermore, the locomotor pattern of poly(I:C) animals were characterized by repetitive behaviors. Finally, poly(I:C) reduced parvalbumin and GAD67 expression in the cerebellum. The results showed that prenatal poly(I:C) exposure altered the pattern of socio-communicative behaviors of adult rats in a sex-specific manner.

Acoustic effects of elevated platforms for standing audiences in an indoor music venue

The live music industry has grown significantly over the last decade, making live music not only an important component of the cultural scene but also a major economic engine. There is little research or guidance regarding acoustic design for amplified music venues, especially for improvements in the design of the indoor standing audience area. This investigation aimed to determine the acoustic effects and potential benefits to the audience, of elevated platforms in an indoor music venue. Objective parameters such as reverberation (T30), Early Decay Time (EDT), Clarity (C80), Definition (D50), and Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) were analysed through computer simulations for twelve platform arrangements of different platform heights and audience densities. Results from all possible combinations were compared and evaluated for improved acoustical and sound quality. It was shown that the use of elevated platforms reduced reverberation time parameters and increased C80 and D50. These changes in acoustic parameters appeared also to be dependent on audience density. It is expected that the novel information and guidance provided by this research will assist acoustic designers, sound engineers, and other relevant decision-makers to improve the audio-visual experience of standing audiences.

Impact of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Reverberation Time in a Reverberation Room

Changes in acoustic parameters measured in a room may depend on the location and orientation of the sound source and microphones or on the reverberation conditions of the room. As was found in the research presented in this publication, reverberation in a room is also influenced by thermo-hygrometric conditions. The article presents an experimental analysis involving the impact of temperature and relative air humidity in a room on reverberation time. Since it is very difficult to control the temperature and relative humidity in real conditions, the tests were carried out both in laboratory conditions and with the use of simulations. For this purpose, the results of the reverberation time measurements in the reverberation chamber for various thermo-hygrometric conditions were obtained. Then, the reverberation chamber was modeled in the ODEON Version 11.0 program, and after the validation of the model, a series of simulations were performed, demonstrating the changes in the reverberation time as a function of temperature and relative air humidity. The results are presented in both a two-dimensional and three-dimensional version, i.e., the dependence of the reverberation time as a function of two variables: air temperature and relative humidity.

Influence of Anthropogenic Sounds on Insect, Anuran and Bird Acoustic Signals: A Meta-Analysis

Acoustic communication is a way of information exchange between individuals, and it is used by several animal species. Therefore, the detection, recognition and correct understanding of acoustic signals are key factors in effective communication. The priority of acoustic communication is effectiveness rather than perfection, being effective avoids affecting the sound-based communication system of the species. One of the factors that can affect effective communication is the overlap in time and frequency during signal transmission, known as signal masking. One type of sound that can cause masking is anthropogenic noise, which is currently increasing due to urban growth and consequently motorized transportation and machinery. When exposed to anthropogenic noise, animals can use compensatory mechanisms to deal with sound masking, such as the modification of acoustic parameters of their acoustic signal. Here, we performed a meta-analysis investigating whether different taxa have a general tendency for changes in acoustic parameters due to anthropogenic noise, we used taxa and acoustic parameters available in the literature that met the minimum criteria to perform a meta-analysis. We hypothesized that animals exposed to anthropogenic noise use compensation mechanisms, such as changes in dominant, maximum or minimum frequencies, call duration, note duration and call rate to deal with masking. We performed a meta-analysis, which synthesized information from 73 studies comprising 82 species of three taxa: insects, anurans and birds. Our results showed that in the presence of anthropogenic noise, insects did not change the acoustic parameters, while anurans increased call amplitude and birds increased dominant frequency, minimum and maximum frequencies, note duration and amplitude of their songs. The different responses of the groups to anthropogenic noise may be related to their particularities in the production and reception of sound or to the differences in the acoustic parameters considered between the taxa and also the lack of studies in some taxa.

Individual differences in speech and language within 72 h after a concussion

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) cause immediate and temporary alterations in brain function that result in a variety of symptoms including impacts on speech. Symptoms of dysarthria and aphasia occur but are primarily reported in moderate-severe injuries. Less is known about the specific changes in acoustic parameters and language that occur in mild concussions. A total of 250 athletes at Seton Hall University participated in baseline speech testing. Speech testing was performed again in a subset of 15 athletes who sustained a mild concussion (within 72 h). Speech and language analysis was performed on samples derived from a picture description task. Statistical comparisons showed minimal changes in acoustic parameters on average, but individual differences were present. Specifically, some individuals presented with a flatter prosody and/or lower mean pitch than others post-injury compared to baseline. Although no clear pattern of acoustic changes emerged, language analysis (semantics, syntax, morphology) showed an overall reduction of complexity of productions. Language outcomes indicate that changes in speech symptoms occur even in mild cases. Further investigations should examine the speech and language changes after a head injury against the individual’s complete symptom profile and neurological regions of damage in a larger sample size.

Early evidence of cognitive involvement during sensorimotor integration for speech

Executive functioning is fundamental to motor processes that involve decision-making, and yet, the role of cognitive control during speech production is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between auditory attentional decision-making ability and changes in acoustic parameters and speech error rates during sensorimotor integration for speech production. Seventeen healthy individuals first completed an auditory analog of the Attentional Network Test to assess attentional decision-making and then read passages under delayed auditory feedback (DAF). None of the acoustic parameters (speech rate, mean and standard deviation of fundamental frequency and intensity) were related to metrics of cognitive processing. However, auditory processing speed, measured as reaction time to pitch identifications (r = -0.58, p < 0.05) and auditory location identifications (r = -0.66, p < 0.05), was significantly related to the total number of dysfluencies (across articulation errors, stuttering-like disfluencies, and other disfluencies) under DAF. In other words, individuals who made quick auditory discriminations produced more dysfluencies under DAF. While preliminary, these findings suggest that cognitive functions including executive control are engaged during speech production. These findings can be understood in the context of diffusion models of decision-making and the impact of cognition on speech perception.

Solvodynamic study on Solubility Enhanced Lovastatin in presence of Arginine as Cosolute

In this study, the solute-cosolute interaction, solute-solvent interaction involved in the solubilisation process of ARG solutions and LVS-ARG solution systems are illustrated. The sound velocity values of both solution systems were determined at varying concentrations of ARG (0.01-0.8 mol.dm-3) at 298.15 K. Next, the refractive index and the density of the solution systems was measured at temperature range from 298.15 to 313.15K. Acoustic and volumetric parameters such as isentropic compressibility (KS), apparent isentropic molar compressibility (KSΦ), relative association (RA), acoustic impedance (Z), internal pressure (πi), free volume (Vf), molar volume (Φv0), molar expansibility (ΦE0) were calculated from sound velocity and density data. From the study, an increasing trend in sound velocity was observed with the increase in ARG concentration while compressibility values showed opposite trend. Additionally, solute-solvent interaction and structural effects of water for ARG and LVS-ARG systems are discussed regarding the changes in acoustic parameters.

Influence of Upper Airway Surgery on Voice and Speech Recognition.

Upper airway surgery comprises a set of techniques that modify the anatomy of the vocal tract, including tonsillectomy and septoplasty. The objective of this work is to study the changes in acoustic parameters and the effects on the identification or verification of the speaker through the speech produced after the vocal tract surgeries, comparing them with a control group. A prospective study was performed between January 2019 and June 2019 including. The final study sample consisted of 84 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 31 underwent septoplasty, 26 tonsillectomy patients, and 27 controls. Demographic data and GRBAS evaluation were statistically evaluated. Tests were taken before surgery, 2 weeks after surgery and 3 months later. Furthermore, to establish the equal error rate, the recording of patients' voices was made with a succeeding acoustic analysis and programmed identification of the speaker through machine learning systems. A significant variance was observed in GRBAS, after surgery. Regarding acoustic parameters, a greater change was observed in the fundamental frequency at 2 weeks after surgery in the tonsillectomy group. Formants (F1-F3) and antiformants (AntiF1-AntiF3) changed in septoplasty group, not in tonsillectomy and control group at 3 months. When studying the impact of voice changes on the verification of the speaker through the speech, it was observed that there was a greater error in recognition in the tonsillectomy group at 2 weeks, coinciding with the results obtained in the rest of the parameters studied. Results suggest that upper airway surgery produces modifications in the vocal tract affecting GRBAS, acoustic parameters, including formants and antiformants, producing an effect on verification of the speaker through the speech.

AN ECONOMIC COMPARISON OF THE ORDINARY AND LOW-NOISE WEARING COURSE DURING THE LIFETIME OF ROADWAY

The article is focused on the economic evaluation of ordinary used asphalt pavement SMA 11 and low-noise wearing course SMA 8 NH (NH is an abbreviation for low-noise). This evaluation is based on the construction costs (including laying the asphalt mixture, horizontal road marking, milling works and maintenance – only special for low-noise wearing courses) and external costs during lifetime of the whole road. Needed inputs for external costs are changes of acoustic parameters of road surfaces in the Czech Republic that are verified by the CPX method. The higher the noise, the higher the external costs. Final costs depend also on the lifetime of a wearing course which is approximately 12 years for SMA 11 and 8 years for SMA 8 NH according to Czech long-term knowledge. OTSKP-SPK (which states the average prices of particular works on roads in the Czech Republic) was used for construction costs and “Methodology of traffic noise evaluation” was used for external costs.

Voice analysis of early glottic carcinoma treated by carbon dioxide laser

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of CO2 laser cordectomy on the voice of early glottic carcinoma. Method:A retrospective analysis of 40 patients who underwent CO2 laser treatment early glottis preoperative clinical data of postoperative laryngeal cancer patients, patients with postoperative recurrence rate, survival rate, and the postoperative complications of patients with preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopy, voice disorders index（voice handicap index, VHI） simplified Chinese version（VHI 13） rating scale, affecting the stability sound quality postoperatively in patients with laryngeal cancer were discussed. Result:All patients underwent voice reexamination 8-97 months after surgery, and the survival rate was 100%, no local recurrence and no obvious postoperative complications. Compared with the healthy control group, there were statistically significant differences in the four indicators F0（fundamental frequency）, Jitter（fundamental frequency perturbation）, Shimmer（amplitude perturbation） and MPT（maximum pronunciation time）, suggesting that CO2 laser surgery resulted in significant changes in acoustic parameters. Jitter and Shimmer indexes in the pre involved combined group were statistically significant different from those in the non involved combined group, suggesting that the sound quality of the pre involved combined group was worse in the postoperative stability period. The VHI score indicated that most patients with early glottic cancer were in severe voice disorder before operation and most were in moderate voice disorder after operation. Compared with the healthy control group, the VHI score and total score of the healthy control group were lower in terms of physiology, psychology and emotion. Compared with the healthy control group, the VHI score and physiology of the early glottic laryngeal cancer patients were lower in the early glottic laryngeal cancer patients before and after surgery, and they were statistically significant. Conclusion:CO2 laser surgery for early glottic cancer, the overall survival rate of patients, low recurrence rate, fewer complications, CO2 laser surgery led to significant changes in acoustic parameters, postoperative sound quality and whether the involvement of pre-associated factors; The total score of VHI and physiological score of early glottic carcinoma patients after CO2 laser operation were better than those before operation.

Threshold values of acoustic features to assess estrous cycle phases in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study was conducted to observe changes in acoustic parameters and to find out threshold values of Murrah buffaloes acoustic features during four phases of estrous cycle. Voice samples were collected from thirty healthy buffaloes, maintained at Livestock Research Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India. The acoustic features viz. call duration (sec.), intensity (dB), formants (Hz), pitch (Hz), number of periods, number of pulses, mean noise/harmonic ratio (%) were extracted with the help of PRAAT 5.1.36 software package. Mean values of call duration, intensity (mean, minimum, maximum), pitch (mean, maximum), formants (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5), mean noise to harmonic ratio were found significantly (p < 0.05) different between estrus and non-estrus phase in buffaloes. Threshold values of call duration (2.18 s.), mean intensity (72.97 dB), minimum intensity (61.42 dB), maximum intensity (81.99 dB), formants (F1- 1281.29 Hz; F2- 2433.72 Hz; F3- 3844.00 Hz; F4- 5255.32 Hz; and F5- 6648.74 Hz), mean pitch (130.67 Hz), maximum pitch (177.58 Hz), mean noise/harmonic ratio (7.47%), for estrus phase of buffaloes were determined to be cutoff points for estrus phases. The accuracy of threshold values for correctly identifying estrus voice v/s non-estrus voice was found to be 95%. Thus, present study reflected that acoustic feature’s threshold values might be used as cut off points for development of algorithms for audio-sensitive softwares or Decision Support System for getting an alert about estrus phase in water buffaloes at right time in a non-invasive way.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy in the Uterine Fibroid: A Clinical Case Study of Poor Heating Efficacy.

A clinical case study of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment in the uterine fibroid was conducted. During the therapy, poor heating efficacy was observed which could be attributed to several factors such as the local perfusion rate, patient-specific anatomy or changes in acoustic parameters of the ultrasound field. In order to determine the cause of the diminished heating, perfusion analyses and ultrasound simulations were conducted using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the treatment. The perfusion analysis showed high local perfusion rate in the myoma (301.0 ± 25.6 mL/100 g/min) compared to the surrounding myometrium (233.8 ± 16.2 mL/100 g/min). The ultrasound simulations did not show large differences in the focal point shape or the acoustic pressure (2.07 ± 0.06 MPa) when tilting the transducer. However, a small shift (-2.2 ± 1.3 mm) in the axial location of the focal point was observed. The main causes for the diminished heating were likely the high local perfusion and ultrasound attenuation due to the deep location of the myoma.

Effect of Omaha system measures combined with voice training in the treatment of patients with functional vocal dyspraxia caused by glottic insufficiency

Objective To explore the effect of Omaha system combined with voice training in the treatment of patients with functional vocal dyspraxia caused by incomplete glottic closure. Methods From January 2017 to December 2017, eighty-eight patients with vocal dystonia due to glottic insufficiency who were treated in the Second Hospital of Shaoxing were randomly divided into control group and observation group by random number table method, with 44 cases in each group.The control group was treated with voice training.The observation group was given Omaha system measures on the basis of treatment in the control group.After 8 weeks, the therapeutic effects, GRBAS index scores, VHI scores, changes in acoustic parameters, and laryngoscope scores were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group (90.91%) was significantly higher than that of the control group(59.09%)(χ2=9.317, P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of total deafness, roughness and other indicators were significantly reduced in both two groups, and the scores of GRBAS in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(t=8.674, P<0.001; t=2.169, P=0.032; t=2.489, P=0.014; t=32.832, P<0.001; t=9.381, P<0.001). After treatment, the index scores and total VHI scores of both two groups were significantly decreased, and the scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group(t=2.222, P=0.028; t=3.144, P=0.002; t=2.003, P=0.048; t=5.763, P<0.001). After treatment, the maximum phonation time(MPT), basic frequency(Jitter), and lowest sound intensity(I-Low) were significantly reduced in the two groups, which in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(t=4.037, P<0.001; t=4.789, P<0.001; t=4.717, P<0.001). The highest basic frequency(F0-High) and DSI index significantly increased in both two groups, which in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(t=4.497, P<0.001; t=4.794, P<0.001). Conclusion The combination of Omaha system measures and voice training can significantly improve functional vocal disturbances caused by glottic insufficiency, significantly improve the quality of patients' voices, improve glottic closure, and contribute to the recovery of patients' voices.It is worthy of promotion in clinical practice. Key words: Omaha system measures; Vocal training; Glottic insufficiency; Functional vocal disturbance; Therapeutic effect; Vocal disorder severe index; Acoustics; Vocal

Effects of a simulated system of straw phonation on the complete phonatory range of excised canine larynges.

This study investigated the effects of straw phonation therapy on the aerodynamic and acoustic parameters of the vocal folds at different levels of elongation and subglottal pressure. 20 excised canine larynges were used in both experimental (straw phonation therapy simulation) and control conditions. Aerodynamic parameters, including phonation threshold pressure (PTP), phonation instability pressure (PIP), phonation pressure range (PPR), phonation threshold flow (PTF), phonation instability flow (PIF), phonation flow range (PFR), were obtained at different levels of vocal fold elongation (0%, 10%, 20%). Acoustic parameters, including fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, signal noise ratio (SNR) were detected at different levels of vocal fold elongation (0%, 10%, 20%) and subglottal pressure (15 cmH2O, 20 cmH2O, 25 cmH2O). Significant decreases in PTP and PTF and significant increases in PIP, PIF, PPR, and PFR occurred in experimental condition at all levels of elongation when compared with control condition. However, no significant changes of acoustic parameters were obtained between conditions at all levels. At different levels of vocal fold elongation, straw phonation not only lowered the onset of normal voice, but also elevated the onset of chaotic voice, indicating a better voice economy and voice control. Moreover, the improved phonatory range demonstrated that straw phonation had the potential to prevent voice users who have high voice demand from voice fatigue and vocal damage.

Pathological Voice Source Analysis System Using a Flow Waveform-Matched Biomechanical Model.

Voice production occurs through vocal cord and vibration coupled to glottal airflow. Vocal cord lesions affect the vocal system and lead to voice disorders. In this paper, a pathological voice source analysis system is designed. This study integrates nonlinear dynamics with an optimized asymmetric two-mass model to explore nonlinear characteristics of vocal cord vibration, and changes in acoustic parameters, such as fundamental frequency, caused by distinct subglottal pressure and varying degrees of vocal cord paralysis are analyzed. Various samples of sustained vowel /a/ of normal and pathological voices were extracted from MEEI (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary) database. A fitting procedure combining genetic particle swarm optimization and a quasi-Newton method was developed to optimize the biomechanical model parameters and match the targeted voice source. Experimental results validate the applicability of the proposed model to reproduce vocal cord vibration with high accuracy, and show that paralyzed vocal cord increases the model coupling stiffness.

Vocalization development in common marmosets for neurodegenerative translational modeling

ObjectivesIn order to facilitate the study of vocalizations in emerging genetic common marmoset models of neurodegenerative disorders, we aimed to analyze call-type changes across age in a translational research environment. We hypothesized that acoustic parameters of vocalizations would change with age, reflecting growth of the vocal apparatus and a maturation of control needed to make adult-like calls.MethodsNineteen developing common marmosets were longitudinally video- and audio-recorded between the ages of 1–149 days in a naturalistic setting without any vocalization elicitation protocol. Vocalizations were coded for call type (cry, tsik, trill, phee, and trill-phee) and analyzed for duration (sec), minimum and maximum frequency (Hz), and bandwidth (Hz). Mixed model linear regressions were performed to assess the effects of age on call parameters listed above for each call type.ResultsCries decreased in duration (P = 0.038), maximum frequency (P = 0.047), and bandwidth (P = 0.023) with age. Tsik calls decreased in duration (P = 0.002) and increased in minimum frequency (P = 0.004) and maximum frequency (P = 0.005) with age. Trill calls increased in duration (P = 0.003), and trillphee bandwidth (P = 0.031) decreased with age.DiscussionOur results demonstrate that development of common marmoset vocalizations is call type dependent and that changes in acoustic parameters can be detected without complex vocalization elicitation paradigms or specialized audio recording equipment. Thus, we demonstrate the feasibility of a naturalistic protocol to collect and objectively analyze marmoset vocalizations longitudinally. This approach may be useful for studying vocal communication deficits in genetic models of neurodegenerative disorders.