A Quantitative Study Based on a Sonographic Examination of Four Vowel Sounds in Alaryngeal Speech
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Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 1977 A Quantitative Study Based on a Sonographic Examination of Four Vowel Sounds in Alaryngeal Speech Cheryl Ann Schultz Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Speech and Hearing Science Commons, and the Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Schultz, Cheryl Ann, "A Quantitative Study Based on a Sonographic Examination of Four Vowel Sounds in Alaryngeal Speech" (1977). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2571. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.2568 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. -.~-. ........__ --- ···--..... ~-··~ --····------- .............. ..-.........-... - -~--·· -~~ --· .......... ____ . AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Cheryl Ann Schultz for the Master of Science in Speech Communication: Emphasis in Speech Pathoiogy/AUdioldgy presented May 3, 1977. Title: A Quantitative Study Based on a Sonographic Examina- tion of Four Vowel Sounds in Alaryngeal Speech. APPROVED BY MEMBERS OF THE THESIS COMMITTEE: Rober~ ~naliSh/~mg l.S • niS;.1r1.J..D. -, . .cas teel, Ph. n": Ronald ~· Smith, Ph.D. Laryngectomy, as a treatment for malignant laryngeal lesions, requires the patient to seek a substitute ~ethod of producing speech. Three types of alaryngeal speech were described: esophageal, Asai, and artificiai larynx. One consideration in deciding which mode of speech is best for the patient is how closely each type of'alaryngeal speech approximates normal. This investigation was an objective examination of -·~--~ -~~-- ...._ ------------&--· • & & - -~- &- &-- -&- 2 esophageal, Asai and artificial larynx speech as compared with normal in males and females. ·comparisons w~re based on production of four vowels /i/; /~/, /~/, /u/. Eight sub- jects were selected, one male and one female in each type of alaryngeal speech. All speakers were recorded producing the four vowels three times. Each production was analyzed sono . graphically to determine fundamental frequency and formants 1, 2, and 3. The following information was obtained to answer the questions posed: . 1. What is the difference in fundamental frequency and formant's 1, 2, and 3 of four vowels produced by esophageal speakers and normal speakers? Fundamental frequencies produced by male and female esophageal speakers were 60 and 70 Hz lowe·r than their normal counterparts, respectively. Formant frequency values for both esophageal speakers showed little relationship to normal, varying both higher and lower in no predictable pattern. 2. What is the difference in fundamental frequency and formants 1, 2, and 3 of four vowels produced by Asai speakers and normal speakers? The male Asai speaker produced a fundamental frequency approximately 30 Hz higher than the normal male speaker. Formant 1 was found to be lower than normal; however, this trend did not continue in formants ~ and 3. Female Asai ;fundamental frequency values, only 20 Hz .-... ........................... ~--..__ -- ·------·-----··--.. ·~----·&-• &·-- -------& . 3 lower than normal, suggest that the Asai technique may pro vide the female laryngectomee with the closest approximation to normal. 3. What is the difference in fundamental frequency and formants 1, 2 ,· ahd 3 of· .four vowels produced by speakers using electronic vibratory devices and normal speakers? Laryngectomees using an artificial larynx select the fundamental frequency they desire in operating the mechanical device. These chosen values are considerably lower than normal. As with·the other alaryngeal speakers, formant values were scattered above and below normal formant frequencies. 4. What is the difference between male and female production of these vowels in each of the four modes of speech? Male·alaryngeal speaker$ show~d much greater consis- tency in the production of fundamental frequency over the range of the four vowels. Female alaryngeal speakers varied as much as 53 Hz from one vowel to another. Artificial larynx speakers are not considered because of the mechanical production of fundamental frequency. 5. What is' the difference between esophageal, Asai and electronic vibratory device speakers for the four vowels examined? Esophageal speakers produce a low fundamental frequency when compared to Asai speakers. Artificial larynx also produces a low fundamental freq~ency, but this is at the - ~~~~~ ---- ·---.. ~~ ......... .-......... -------·----. 4 discretion of the user. Data on formant frequencies were inconsistent and provided minimal information. Conclusions derived from this invest~gation roust be guarded due to the small sample population. If the data on these subjects is representative of larger populations, it may be inferred that the fundamental frequency of ~~male Asai ~ I • ' < speakers is considerably closer to normal than the. ~ther two types of alaryngeal speech studied. Male alaryngeal speakers appear to have a broader choice of fund~ental frequency ranging above and below normal values. ~urther study is suggested on the qua~titativ~ aspects of alaryngeal speech using a considerably larger population of subjects. Extreme variations noted in some instances in formant relationships only clarify the need to minimize indi vidual differences through a larger sampl.e. &&• ••• ··-·--...._·~ ... ....-. ... ~-~- .................. - ............. ... .-...... -...... ...... ~-~ - --- ... ........................ ___ ...... ...... -... ....... -~-.................... _.... .... ... A QUANTITATIVE STUDY BASED.ON A SONOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF FOUR VOWEL SOUNDS IN ALARYNGEAL SPE.ECH I I by CHERYL ANN SCHU.LTZ A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for th~ degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in SPEECH COMMUNICATION: EMPHASIS IN SPEECH PATHOLOGY/AUDIOLOGY I I Portland State University I 1977 .... ... __ ....... -~- ____ ... _____ __ ·---.... , .......... ~ TO THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH: The members of the Committee approve the thesis of Cheryl Ann Schultz presented May 3, 1977. Mary E.• crordon I Chairman Robert H.--Eng'Tif~ -- - i Ronald E. Smith, Ph .. D. APPROVED: Voge , Department of Speech Communication Graduate Sb.idies and Researc -66• ----........._ -...... ..,..... .............. - --........ _ -.-... ............... __ ..... - ..... ---- -- ... _.... ... ~ ..__~:....... _ __ ....... _ ......... _............ -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS l Reflecting back over the events which have ultimately l 1· resulted· in the completion of this project, certain person alities stand out as being invaluable ·contribut'ors to the effort. First and· foremost, I must express profound gratitude to my husband, Gary Schultz, for bearing up under what must have been trying periods for him throughout the process of making this project a finished product. He was a sounding board for ideas and frustrations, a traveling companion.and equipment .bearer during the data collection phase, and most of all a "rock" when I needed support. Mary Gordon will never know how app.reciated her efforts in this endeavor have been. Besides guidance and assistance as thesis Chairperson, she has given friendship during trying times, been understanding of frustrations, and calmed fraz- zled nerves. Dr. Robert English must be thanked for allowing him- self to be "hassled" all too frequently. His contributions to this project and to my life cannot be expressed. Dr. Robert Casteel a~lowed himself to become a sounding board for trying out the ideas whic~.led to this project. His guidance and help in making it into a workable pl~n;, his . ·-·---·-~ ............................... .-... ... .-.....-. ........................ ... .... ....._.. ---------.-....- ... ............... .- ......................................................... _____ .................. ...-. iv insights, t~oughtfulness, and assistance have been ipvalu-. able. Finally, I must acknowledge gratefully each of the individuals who allowed themselves to be used as subjects for this project. Each offered his time, his hospitality, and many personal insights into the daily life problems and feelings of laryngec~omees which cannot be learned from reading research studies or textbooks. They were each warm, willing, eager subjects without whom this project would never have been completed. To all who participated in this project go my si~cerest thanks, and profound gratitude. -·- ·--...-.. ... .................. --............. ____ ·-- ~ &------- ................ ... TABLE ·OF CONTENTS PAGE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS • • . iii LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES .. •• viii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE . .. 1 Introduction ..•••• 1 Statement of Purpose. 2 II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. 4 Three Types of ·Alaryngeal Speech. • 4 Esophageal Speech Asai Speech Artificial Larynx Speech Quantitative Assessment of Normal Phonation • • • . 8 Quantitative Assessment bf Alaryngeal Speech. 13 Quantitative Assessment of Esopha- geal Speech Quantitative Assessment of Asai Speech Quantitative Assessment of Arti- f icial Larynx Speech III METHODS.AND PROCEDURES. 20 General Plan. 20 ................ ---,, --- -~-------~·- ~-- ....................................................... __..~--....-..... ......... vi CHAPTER PAGE Subjects . • • • • • • • • • 20