Keywords

Cepstrum, spectral analysis, continuous speech analysis, muscle tension dysphonia, auditory-perceptual ratings, dysphonia

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify a sub-set of spectral/cepstral-based analysis methods that would most effectively predict dysphonia severity (as estimated via auditory-perceptual analysis) in samples of continuous speech. Acoustic estimates of dysphonia severity were used as an objective treatment outcomes measure in a set of pre- vs post-treatment speech samples. Pre- and post-treatment continuous speech samples from 104 females with primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) were rated by listeners using a 100 point visual analogue scale (VAS) and analysed acoustically with spectral/cepstral-based measures. Stepwise linear regression produced a three-factor model consisting of the cepstral peak prominence (CPP); the mean ratio of low-to-high frequency spectral energy; and the standard deviation of the ratio of low-to-high frequency spectral energy that was strongly correlated with perceived dysphonia severity ratings (R ¼ .85; R2 ¼ .73). Mean differences between predicted vs perceptual ratings for pre- and post-treatment speech samples were < 6 points on the 100 point VAS; mean absolute differences between predicted and perceived ratings were < 16 points on the 100 point VAS (equivalent to within one scale value on commonly used 7-point equal-appearing interval rating scales). A multi-parameter acoustic model consisting of spectral/cepstral-based measures shows considerable promise as an objective measure of dysphonia severity in continuous speech, even across the diverse voice types and severities observed in pre- and post-treatment MTD speech samples.

Original Publication Citation

Awan, S.N., Roy, N. & Dromey, C. (2009). Estimating dysphonia severity in continuous speech: Application of a multiparameter spectral/cepstral model. Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics, 23, 825-841

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2009

Publisher

Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics

Language

English

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Communication Disorders

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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