Summary
Voice production is an inefficient process in terms of energy expended versus acoustic
energy produced. A traditional efficiency measure, glottal efficiency, relates acoustic
power radiated from the mouth to aerodynamic power produced in the trachea. This efficiency
ranges between 0.0001% and 1.0%. It involves lung pressure and hence would appear
to be a useful effort measure for a given acoustic output. Difficulty in the combined
measurement of lung pressure and tracheal airflow, however, has impeded clinical application
of glottal efficiency. This article uses the large data base from Schutte (1980) and
a few new measurements to validate a pressure conversion ratio (PCR) as a substitute
for glottal efficiency. PCR has the potential for wide application because of low
cost and ease of use in clinics and vocal studios.
Key Words
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: July 09, 2015
Accepted:
June 2,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 The Voice Foundation
