Summary
Background
Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) is an acoustic model which equates to the auditory-perceptual
(A-P) measure of breathiness. Globally, ABI has been validated in multiple languages.
To date, empirical studies validating ABI in the South Indian population have not
been carried out. Moreover, there is only minimal evidence on the impact of language
and gender on ABI.
Objectives
This study attempted to validate ABI in languages of Malayalam and Kannada with “B”
and “G” of GRBAS. The authors also examined the influence of language and gender on
ABI.
Methods
The authors retrospectively analyzed a dataset consisting of 160 voice samples (91
normophonic and 69 dysphonic). Five speech-language pathologists perceptually evaluated
these samples on the GRBAS scale. PRAAT software was used to calculate ABI for each voice sample. The authors also determined
the effects of language and gender on ABI. Following this, ABI's concurrent validity
and diagnostic accuracy were examined relating to “B” and “G” of the GRBAS scale.
Results
The judges reached a moderate agreement on the perceptual evaluation of voice quality.
The authors observed neither language nor gender differences in ABI. The concurrent
validity of ABI was strong (r = 0.761) when correlated against “B”. Further, evaluations revealed that an ABI value
of >3.66 could distinguish between breathy and non-breathy voice samples with an area
under the curve of 0.816 (Sensitivity = 61.73%; Specificity = 94.93%). On the other
hand, the concurrent validity of ABI in correlation with “G” did not yield the optimal
result.
Conclusions
ABI is a valid acoustic tool for identifying breathiness in the languages of Malayalam
and Kannada. ABI correlates better with “B” than “G” on the GRBAS scale. ABI is independent
of language and gender.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 08, 2022
Accepted:
May 10,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
