Kay Elemetrics Research Articles

Effects Of Tonsillectomy On Acoustic Parameters

SUMMARY The vocal tractus from the glottis to the lips is considered to be a resonator and any change in its shape may cause voice changes. Since tonsillectomy causes a shape and volume difference in supraglottic area, it is assumed that acoustic characteristics may change postoperatively. In this study, the effects of tonsillectomy over voice parameters is examined. 20 patients (13 males, 7 females), aged between 21 and 39 were included to the study. They all went tonsillectomy for recurrent episodes of tonsillitis under regional anesthesia. Voice samples to measure F0 (fundamental frequency) and F1, F2 , F3 formants were recorded 1 week before and 3 months after the surgery. These parameters were analyzed on a sustained [a:] using the CSL main program with the Computerized Speech Lab CSL 4300B (Kay Elemetrics Ltd., Lincoln Park, NJ, USA). The patients were also asked, whether they perceived any change in their voices postoperatively. None of the patient perceived any change in his/her voice postoperatively. Fundamental frequency (F0), F1, F2 and F3 formants showed statistically insignificant changes in females postoperatively. In males, F1 and F2 formants showed statistically significant changes postoperatively. As a conclusion, in cases for vocal performing artists, they should be warned for any possible changes in voice colors after surgery.

Change of Phonation Control After Cochlear Implantation

To assess the influence of acquired auditory control on some voice parameters in deaf children and adults after cochlear implantation. Prospective clinical study. Tertiary referral center. Twenty-nine prelingually deafened children and 11 postlingually deafened adults. The samples of a vowel /a/ were analyzed with an Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (Kay Elemetrics Corporation, Lincoln Park, NJ) before and 6 to 12 months after the cochlear implantation. The average fundamental frequency (F0), the short-term variation of F0 (JIT) and the amplitude (SH), the very long-term variation of F0 (vF0) and the amplitude (vAm), and the noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) were determined and compared for both age groups. The results of the acoustic analysis performed before the implantation were compared with the results after the implantation for children and adults. Significantly greater JIT, SH, vF0, and vAm were detected in the children than in the adults before and after the implantation. The prelingually deafened children significantly improved the control of their phonation after 6 to 12 months' use of the cochlear implant (JIT: p=0.014, SH: p=0.011, vF0: p=0.014, vAm: p=0.031). In the postlingually deafened adults, no significant improvement was found in any of the studied voice parameters after the implantation. F0 showed little or no change after the implantation in children and adults. As expected, the voice quality of the prelingually deafened children was significantly worse than that of the postlingually deafened adults. After cochlear implantation, the children significantly improved their short-term and long-term F0 and amplitude variability. In adults, no significant improvement was detected. We suppose that the improvement is a consequence not only of the acquired hearing control but also of the adaptation ability of neuromuscular phonation control and the maturing of these control mechanisms in children. In adults, better phonation quality in general and lesser improvement after the implantation can be the results of well-developed and stable phonation patterns.

Change of Phonation Control After Cochlear Implantation

Objective: To assess the influence of acquired auditory control on some voice parameters in deaf children and adults after cochlear implantation. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Twenty-nine prelingually deafened children and 11 postlingually deafened adults. Interventions: The samples of a vowel /a/ were analyzed with an Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (Kay Elemetrics Corporation, Lincoln Park, NJ) before and 6 to 12 months after the cochlear implantation. Main Outcome Measures: The average fundamental frequency (F0), the short-term variation of F0 (JIT) and the amplitude (SH), the very long-term variation of F0 (vF0) and the amplitude (vAm), and the noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) were determined and compared for both age groups. The results of the acoustic analysis performed before the implantation were compared with the results after the implantation for children and adults. Results: Significantly greater JIT, SH, vF0, and vAm were detected in the children than in the adults before and after the implantation. The prelingually deafened children significantly improved the control of their phonation after 6 to 12 months' use of the cochlear implant (JIT: p = 0.014, SH: p = 0.011, vF0: p = 0.014, vAm: p = 0.031). In the postlingually deafened adults, no significant improvement was found in any of the studied voice parameters after the implantation. F0 showed little or no change after the implantation in children and adults. Conclusion: As expected, the voice quality of the prelingually deafened children was significantly worse than that of the postlingually deafened adults. After cochlear implantation, the children significantly improved their short-term and long-term F0 and amplitude variability. In adults, no significant improvement was detected. We suppose that the improvement is a consequence not only of the acquired hearing control but also of the adaptation ability of neuromuscular phonation control and the maturing of these control mechanisms in children. In adults, better phonation quality in general and lesser improvement after the implantation can be the results of well-developed and stable phonation patterns.

Subjective and Objective Evaluation of Voice Quality in Patients With Asthma

To evaluate the voice quality in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma by subjective and objective methods. Comparative, controlled, cross-sectional study. Patients with mild-to-moderate asthma (n=40) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n=40) were included. Acoustic analyses were performed by the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP; Kay Elemetrics Corporation, Lincoln Park, NJ) and the movements of the vocal cords were examined by videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS). In addition, the duration of illness, maximum phonation time, "s/z" values, and vital capacity were evaluated. Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and GRB scales were used for subjective evaluations. Maximum phonation time values were significantly shorter both in male and female asthma patients compared with controls (P<0.0001). Also, average shimmer values in MDVP were higher for both sexes in the patient group compared with controls (P=0.002 and P=0.04, respectively). There was a significant difference between female patients and sex-matched controls with regard to mean noise-to-harmonic ratio values (P=0.006). Female patients with asthma had higher average jitter values compared with sex-matched controls (P<0.0001). A significant difference was noted between asthma and control groups with regard to GRB scale (P<0.0001, P<0.001, and P<0.0001, respectively). The VHI score was above the normal limit in 16 (40%), and VLS findings were abnormal in 39 (97.5%) asthmatics. In asthmatic patients, maximum phonation time, frequency, and amplitude perturbation parameters were impaired, but the vital capacity and the duration of illness did not correlate with these findings.

Radiotherapy versus Surgery for Early T1–t2 Glottic Carcinoma

To compare surgery and radiotherapy as treatments for early T1-T2 glottic cancer in terms of local and regional control, complications, cost, and voice outcome. Retrospective comparative review of 36 patients with T1 or T2 glottic carcinoma diagnosed between 1992 and 2003 at the McGill University Health Centre. Twelve patients postsurgery (group 1) and 26 patients postradiotherapy (group 2) were compared in terms of local and regional control and complications related to treatment. The costs of surgery and radiotherapy, including all personnel and equipment, were estimated. A cross-sectional study was undertaken of 11 patients with a history of T1 or T2 glottic carcinoma: 5 patients postsurgery, 4 patients postradiotherapy, and 2 patients postradiotherapy and surgery. Vocal fold function and voice quality were assessed by an otolaryngologist using videostroboscopy and a standardized questionnaire (Voice Handicap Index) and by an experienced speech-language pathologist using the Visipitch II computer program (Kay Elemetrics Corp., Lincoln Park, NJ). Retrospective study: The recurrence rate following primary treatment was 37.5% for group 1 and 22% for group 2. Group 1 patients presented with 25% of local complications (vocal fold scars) and no systemic complications. Patients in group 2 presented with local and systemic complications: 35% for local and 27% for systemic. One patient had mild carotid stenosis, and one patient had mild esophageal stenosis. The cost of treatment with radiotherapy was five times higher than the cost of surgery. Cross-sectional study: Vocal fold function assessed by videostroboscopy was superior in group 2. However, patients in group 1 scored higher on the subjective (Voice Handicap Index questionnaire) and objective (Visipitch parameters) voice assessments. Surgery and radiotherapy are both very effective in terms of local and regional control for early glottic carcinoma. However, surgery tends to be more cost-effective, with less complications and possibly a better voice outcome.

Computational modelling of effect of tonsillectomy on voice production

The aim of this study is to develop mathematical 3D finite element (FE) models for numerical simulations of vibroacoustic properties of the human vocal tract after a tonsillectomy. Similar experimental studies are not easily realizable on living subjects.The FE models of the acoustic spaces corresponding to the human vocal tract for the Czech vowels /a:/ and /i:/ and the acoustic space around the human head were used in numerical simulations of phonation. The acoustic resonant characteristics of the FE models were studied using modal and transient analyses (excitation by a short pulse).Calculated results show that a tonsillectomy causes a frequency shift of the 3rd (down by ∼180 Hz) and 4th (down by ∼120 Hz) formants down to the lower frequencies for the vowel /a:/ and similarly for the 2nd, 4th and 5th formants for the vowel /i:/ (all down by ∼100 Hz). Similar effects and results can be found in experimental studies in literature. The formant changes are dependent on the size of additional acoustic spaces that occur after a tonsillectomy. The verification of the model was performed on the recordings of patients before and after the tonsillectomy operation. Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP Advanced, KAY Elemetrics Corp.) was used for the comparing of the formant centre frequencies. Very small differences in the results of subjective evaluation of the voice before and after tonsillectomy were found.

The Effects of Intraoral Pressure Sensors on Normal Young and Old Swallowing Patterns

Lingual pressure generation plays a crucial role in oropharyngeal swallowing. To more discretely study the dynamic oropharyngeal system, a 3-bulb array of pressure sensors was designed with the Kay Elemetrics Corporation (Lincoln Park, NJ). The influence of the device upon normal swallowing mechanics and boluses representative of flow relative to age and bolus condition was the focus of this study. Twelve healthy adults in two age groups (31 +/- 5 years, 2 males and 4 females, and 78 +/- 7 years, 2 males and 4 females) participated. Each subject was instructed to swallow four boluses representative of conditions with and without three pressure sensors affixed to the hard palate. Post-swallow residue at four locations, Penetration/Aspiration Scale scores, and three bolus flow timing measures were assessed videofluoroscopically with respect to age and bolus condition. The only statistically significant influences attributable to the presence of the pressure sensors were slight increases in residue in the oral cavity and upper esophageal sphincter with some bolus consistencies, 8% more frequent trace penetration of the laryngeal vestibule predominantly with effortful swallowing, and variances in oral clearance duration. We conclude that the presence of the pressure sensors does not significantly alter normal swallowing patterns of healthy individuals.

Fundamental Frequency in Monolingual English, Bilingual English/Russian, and Bilingual English/Cantonese Young Adult Women

Mean F0 of nine young adult English/Russian female bilinguals and nine young adult English/Cantonese female bilinguals were examined from samples of connected speech in each language. Mean F0 were compared in each language and in English with those of a monolingual English control group of ten young adult female speakers. Acoustic measurements were analyzed with the Kay Elemetrics Multispeech program (Kay Elemetrics, Lincoln Park, NJ). The results indicate that the English/Russian bilinguals consistently had a higher mean F0 in Russian than in English. Mean F0 did not change with language switch for the English/Cantonese speakers. There were no significant differences between the groups in their English production. Clinical implications regarding norms for both monolingual and bilingual persons, as well as implications for understanding the nature of bilingualism, in particular code-switching, are discussed.

The influence of cochlear implantation on some voice parameters

Some of the voice characteristics of deaf people differ considerably from those of speakers with normal hearing. After a cochlear implantation, auditory control of voice production is possible and the quality of the voice is improved. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in some of the voice parameters in deaf children after cochlear implantation. Thirty-one prelingually deafened children implanted unilaterally at the age of 2.5-13 years were included in the study. For all of the children an acoustic analysis (Multi-Dimensional Voice Program, Kay Elemetrics Corp., USA) of the Slovene vowel 'a' was performed before cochlear implantation and 6, 12 and 24 months after the implantation. The fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer and noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) were compared before and after the implantation. The results of the acoustic analyses were compared for the children who were implanted before or at the age of 4 years and the children who were implanted after the age of 4 years. After the cochlear implantation the fundamental frequency did not change significantly. However, an improvement was noticed in the measurements of jitter (p=0.006) and shimmer (p=0.021) as early as 6 months after the implantation. The noise-to-harmonic ratio improved (p=0.013) 24 months after the implantation. The children implanted before or at the age of 4 years showed a significant improvement in jitter (p=0.003) and shimmer (p=0.004) as early as 6 months and in noise-to-harmonic ratio (p=0.021) 12 months after the implantation. In the children implanted after the age of 4 years the only significant change was detected in F0 (p=0.045), 12 months after the implantation, and in Shimmer (p=0.017), 24 months after the implantation. The results of the present study have confirmed that cochlear implantation enables auditory moment-to-moment control of pitch and loudness. The determination of jitter and shimmer in the vowel 'a' sample proved to be a good and early indicator of improved phonation control, even in young children. The deaf children who were implanted before the age of 4 years improved their voice control more quickly and to a greater extent than the children implanted after the age of 4 years.

Acoustic Analysis of the Voice in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Longitudinal Study

To characterize inherent acoustic abnormalities of the deaf pediatric voice and the effect of artificially restoring auditory feedback with cochlear implantation. Inception cohort. Academic referral center. Twenty-one children with severe to profound hearing loss (15 prelingually deaf, 6 postlingually deaf) accepted into the cochlear implant program were followed for up to 6 months. Patients unable to perform the vocal exercises were excluded. Objective voice analysis was performed using the Computerized Speech Laboratory (Kay Elemetrics) prior to cochlear implantation, at the time of implant activation and at 2 and 6 months postactivation. Assessments were based on sustained phonations and dynamic ranges. Fundamental frequency, long-term control of fundamental frequency (vF0) and long-term control of amplitude (vAM) were derived from sustained phonations. The dynamic frequency range was derived from scale exercises. Formant frequencies (F1, F2, F3) were determined using linear predictive coding. Fundamental frequency was not altered by implant activation or experience (P = 0.342). With profoundly deaf subject, the most prevalent acoustic abnormality was a poor long-term control of frequency (vF0, 2.81%) and long-term control of amplitude (vAm, 23.58%). Implant activation and experience had no effect on the long-term control of frequency (P = 0.106) but normalized the long-term control of amplitude (P = 0.007). The mean frequency range increased from 311.9 Hz preimplantation to 483.5 Hz postimplantation (P = 0.08). The F1/F2 ratio remained stable (P = 0.476). In children, severe to profound deafness results in poor long-term control of frequency and amplitude. Cochlear implantation restores control of amplitude only and implies the need for additional rehabilitative strategies for restoration of control of frequency.

A Comparative Study of Acoustic Voice Measurements by Means of Dr. Speech and Computerized Speech Lab

In this study, the calculations and results of acoustic voice analysis as calculated by two different analysis systems (Doctor Speech (DRS), Tiger Electronics, Neu-Anspach, Germany, and Computerized Speech Lab (CSL), Kay Elemetrics Corporation, Lincoln Park, NJ) are compared. A group of 120 normal voices was selected for analysis of the objective parameters: fundamental frequency (F(0)), variation of F(0) (F(0)SD), jitter, shimmer, and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR). The subject group was a random selection of normal voices of adults. The aim of this comparison was to find determined differences and similarities in data measurements between both systems to make data transfer possible. A significant correlation was found for F(0), HNR, and shimmer relative. The correlation for jitter (relative and absolute) and F(0)SD was weak. DRS and CSL are not comparable in absolute figures, but their judgment against normative data is identical. Further research is necessary to explore the affect on pathological voices or child voices.

Pitch Discrimination and Pitch Matching Abilities of Adults who Sing Inaccurately

Past research regarding singing ability has provided evidence that both supports and refutes a relationship between pitch discrimination ability and pitch production ability. Researchers have suggested that these skills improve with age. Despite this suggestion, most investigators studying singing ability have included only children as participants. Additionally, although many researchers have studied accurate singers, few have directly studied persons who do not sing accurately. We designed this study to examine the relationship between pitch discrimination ability and pitch production ability in inaccurate adult singers. Fifteen adults, aged 18 to 40 years, that met specific criteria qualified as inaccurate singers. Each participated in two tasks, a pitch discrimination task and a pitch production task. We used the Multi-Dimensional Voice Profile-Advanced (Kay Elemetrics Corporation, Lincoln Park, NJ) to determine the frequency of each participant's vocal productions during the pitch production task. We also used a Pearson product moment correlation to analyze the relationship between pitch discrimination and pitch production accuracy within a semitone of the target frequency. No meaningful relationship was found, and results were not statistically significant. However, the inaccurate singers in this study could be classified into two separate categories, those who discriminated pitches accurately, but produced pitches inaccurately, and those who discriminated pitches inaccurately and produced pitches inaccurately. These findings may be of great importance to music educators and impact the focus of instruction when teaching an inaccurate singer to sing more accurately.

Acoustic voice assessment in Parkinson's disease patients submitted to posteroventral pallidotomy

Long-term complications in levodopa treated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients caused a resurgence of interest in pallidotomy as an option of treatment. However, postoperative complications such as speech disorders can occur. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acoustic voice in PD patients, before and after posteroventral pallidotomy. Twelve patients with PD were submitted to neurological and voice assessments during the off and on phases, in the pre-operative, 1st and 3rd post-operative months. The patients were evaluated with the UPDRS and the vocal acoustic parameters -- f0, NHR, jitter, PPQ, Shimmer, APQ (using the software MultiSpeech-Kay Elemetrics-3700). The off phase UPDRS scores revealed a tendency to improvement at the 1st month and the off phase worsened. The shimmer and APQ improved. This study shows that pallidotomy has little improvement on functional use of communication of PD patients.

An acoustic study of the temporal characteristics of nasalization in children with and without cleft palate.

The purpose of this study was to measure the oral and nasal cavity acoustic energies to determine whether temporal patterns of nasalization differentiate children with and without cleft palate and the extent to which vowel context contributes to these temporal differences. Nasal onset interval, nasal offset interval, and total nasalization duration measures were obtained from acoustic waveforms, spectrograms, and energy contours acquired using the Computerized Speech Lab (Kay Elemetrics, Lincoln Park, NJ). In addition to absolute temporal values, proportional durations of nasalization were measured to obtain information regarding the relative duration of nasalization. Fifteen children with cleft palate exhibiting mild hypernasality and 15 children without cleft palate participated in the study. Children in both groups were between 4 and 7 years of age. Each of the three absolute measures was significantly different between the two groups of subjects and within the three vowel contexts. Children with cleft palate showed longer temporal characteristics than children without cleft palate in all three absolute measures. The three temporal variables of the high vowel contexts were generally longer than those of low vowel contexts. Regarding proportional measures, nasal offset interval ratio, and total nasalization ratio showed significant differences between the two groups. Nasalization, as reflected by acoustic signals, showed different timing characteristics between children with cleft palate and without cleft palate and across vowel contexts. This suggests that the duration of nasalization reflecting temporal patterns of the oral-nasal acoustic impedance may have an influence on the perception of hypernasality.

Voz e fala no menacme e na pós-menopausa

OBJETIVOS: comparar as características fonoarticulatórias de mulheres no menacme e na pós-menopausa. MÉTODOS: foram verificados parâmetros acústicos em tons de voz, sua estabilidade, modulações de entonações, ritmo e velocidade de fala. Quarenta e cinco mulheres na pós-menopausa há três anos ou mais e sem terapia de reposição hormonal e, quarenta e cinco mulheres no menacme, com ciclos menstruais regulares e sem medicação hormonal responderam um questionário e gravaram produções verbais. As análises acústicas foram realizadas com o programa Motor Speech Profile da Key Elemetrics. Utilizou-se o teste t de Student para resultados com distribuição gaussiana e o teste Mann-Whitney quando houve distribuição assimétrica. RESULTADOS: no grupo pós-menopausa houve maior consistência na lentificação do ritmo e redução de velocidade fonoarticulatória. CONCLUSÕES: o melhor conhecimento nesta área permitirá a elaboração de estratégias para oferecer melhor qualidade de vida para mulheres na pós-menopausa, em especial para aquelas que utilizam a voz profissionalmente.

Reliability and applicability of aerodynamic measures in dysphonia assessment

Aerodynamic measures are frequently used to analyse and document pathological voices. Some normative data are available for speakers from the English‐speaking population. However, no data are available yet for Chinese speakers despite the fact that they are one of the largest populations in the world. The high variability of aerodynamic measures between and within subjects raises the issue of reliability and usefulness of this procedure in discriminating between normal and pathological voices. This study aimed to investigate the use of mean airflow rate and sub‐glottal pressure in predicting normal and pathological voices. It also aimed to determine whether a higher number of repeated airflow measures would provide a better representation of the normative data in distinguishing normal from abnormal voices. The study provided a small set of preliminary normative data for Chinese speakers. Aerodynamic measures were collected from 56 Cantonese female adults using a Kay Elemetrics Aerophone II. The results showed that the accuracy in predicting a voice to be dysphonic or normal using aerodynamic measures was as high as 91.1%. The accuracy was found to improve when the number of measurements for each aerodynamic parameter was increased from three to five. The overlapping of data between the dysphonic and non‐dysphonic groups, however, suggests that the aerodynamic measures should be used as an adjunct to assessment of voice disorders rather than as a diagnostic tool alone.

Phono-articulatory variations of women in reproductive age and postmenopausal

Human verbal expression requires coordinated interaction among cortical, neuromuscular, and peripheral events. It is affected by hormonal factors and shows different characteristics in reproductive age and postmenopausal women. The present study compared phono-articulatory characteristics between women in reproductive age postmenopausal. Acoustic variations in fundamental frequency, voice sustenance, formants, vocal intensity, and verbal diadochokinesis were measured. Forty-five women in reproductive age with regular menstrual cycles and taking no hormonal contraceptives and 45 postmenopausal women receiving no hormonal replacement therapy for at least 3 years were interviewed, and their verbal productions were tape-recorded. Acoustic analyses were performed using the Kay Elemetrics Motor Speech Profile (Lincoln Park, NJ). Student t test was employed to compare data between the two groups when they presented normal distribution and Mann-Whitney test when they were asymmetrical. Results showed a greater variability in vocal sustenance, less variation in formants, and verbal diadochokinesis in postmenopausal women. There were no significant variations in fundamental frequency and vocal intensity. These results emphasize the need of a multidisciplinary integrated research, when assessing phono-articulatory processes after the menopause. A better understanding in this field will make it possible to elaborate strategies to offer a better life quality for postmenopausal women.

Computer Assisted Pronunciation Training for Native English Speakers Learning Japanese Pitch and Durational Contrasts

This study assessed the efficacy of a pronunciation training program that provided fundamental frequency contours as visual feedback to native English speakers acquiring Japanese pitch and durational contrasts. Native English speakers who had previously studied Japanese for 1-5 years in the United States participated in training using Kay Elemetrics' CSL-Pitch Program. The training materials were words, phrases, and sentences that contained Japanese pitch and durational contrasts. During training the subjects practiced matching the fundamental frequency contours of Japanese-native models shown on a computer screen. The subjects' ability to produce and to perceive novel Japanese words was tested in two contexts, that is, words in isolation and words in sentences, before and after training. Their ability was compared to that of a native English control group that had previously studied Japanese for 1-5 years but did not participate in the training. The trained subjects improved significantly for words in sentences as well as for words in isolation. Also, the trained subjects improved significantly in perception as well as in production. These findings suggest that the pronunciation training program developed and used here was effective in improving the ability of native English speakers to produce and perceive Japanese pitch and durational contrasts.

Reliability of calculating the cepstral peak without linear regression analysis

Summary Measures of cepstral peak prominence, using the smoothing algorithm and linear regression analysis software developed by Hillenbrand, have been shown to be reliable predictors of dysphonia in voice samples. 1–4 Recently, the Computerized Speech Laboratory [(CSL) Kay Elemetrics, Pinebrook, New Jersey] has introduced cepstral analysis as a component of that software package. The cepstral peak, in this instance, is calculated by the voice clinician analyzing the phonatory sample by subtracting the value of the peak from the apparent baseline signal. This study compares the ability of cepstral peak values calculated from the CSL software to predict dysphonia reliably with that of the values produced by the smoothing algorithm and linear regression analysis of Hillenbrand. The results of this study show that linear regression analysis is an important step in calculating the cepstral peak prominence, thus limiting the usefulness of software programs that do not employ this step.

Female suprasegmental speech parameters in reproductive age and postmenopause

During the female vital cycle verbal processes are influenced by secondary effects of steroid hormones. Verbal expression abilities favor more effective interpersonal communications. Verbal motor fluency is produced by the synchronization among voice, resonance and articulation. The present study compared phono-articulatory characteristics between women in reproductive age and postmenopause. Acoustic variations in vocal intonation, speed of the speech and the pause pattern were measured. Forty-five reproductive age women with regular menstrual cycles and taking no hormonal contraceptives and 45 postmenopause women receiving no hormonal replacement therapy for at least 3 years were interviewed and their verbal productions were recorded. Acoustic analyses were performed using the Kay Elemetrics Motor Speech Profile. Student’s t-test was employed to compare data between the two groups when they presented normal distribution, and Mann–Whitney test when they were asymmetrical. Results showed that in the postmenopause group pause pattern was longer, the speed of the speech was slower, there was a vocal deepening without reduction of the vocal extension and there was also less vocal stability. A better understanding in this field will make possible to elaborate strategies to offer a better life quality for postmenopausal women.