Objectives/Hypothesis
Articulation, phonation, and resonance disorders in the speech of hearing-impaired-speakers
reduces intelligibility. The study focusses on (1) whether nonacoustic feedback may
facilitate the adjustment of the vocal tract, leading to increased vocal tract resonance,
and (2) whether training with the feedback would be helpful for the subsequent formation
of vowels.
Study design
Prospective.
Methods
Seven profoundly hearing-impaired participants used acoustic sound waves in the frequency
range of the first two vocal tract resonances applied in front of the open mouth at
intensities above 1 Pa. They were asked to amplify the sound via adjusting the vocal
tract. The sound waves corresponded to the first and second resonance frequencies
of the vowels [u], [o], and [a]. The self-assessment of the participants and a software-based/auditory
analysis was reported.
Results
The participants were able to enhance the acoustic signal by adjusting the vocal tract
shape. The self-perception of the participants, the auditory voice analysis, and the
acoustic analysis of vowels were consistent with each other. While the maximum sound
pressure levels were constant, the mean sound pressure levels increased. Breathiness
and hoarseness declined during the exercises. Resonance/harmonic-to-noise ratio increased,
especially for the vowels [u], [o], [a]. Furthermore, the positively connoted feedback
from the participants indicated easier sound production.
Conclusion
Nonauditory feedback, based on acoustic waves, could be suitable for improving the
formation of vowels. The findings are in accordance with a reduction of acoustic losses
within the vocal tract.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 22, 2021
Accepted:
January 26,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
