Menopausal Voice-Related Work Limitation Scale (MenoVWL): Development and Validation.

Objectives: Menopause has been reported to affect the voice of female professional voice users (FPVUs). The present study aims at the development and validation of a scale to measure self-perceived menopausal voice-related limitation to work in FPVUs, henceforth the Menopausal Voice-Related Work Limitation Scale (MenoVWL).

Methods: Items were drawn from previous studies on impacts of sex steroid hormones on voice, available validated scales, and in-depth interviews with post-menopausal FPVUs.

Kulning: Acoustic and Perceptual Characteristics of a Calling Style Used Within the Scandinavian Herding Tradition.

Kulning, a loud, high-pitched vocal calling technique pertaining to the Scandinavian herding system, has attracted several researchers' attention, mainly focusing on cultural, phonatory and musical aspects. Less attention has been paid to the spectral and physiological properties that characterize Kulning tones, and also if there is a physiologically optimum pitch range. We analyzed tones produced by ten participants with varying experience in Kulning.

Self-Perceived Voice Handicap During COVID19 Compulsory Facemask Use: A Comparative Study Between Portuguese and Spanish Speakers.

This study investigates self-perceptions of voice-related handicap as a function of facemask use in the general working population during the COVID19 outbreak, using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Each VHI item was answered twice in a row; the first answer referred to the condition of not wearing a facemask (henceforth, the Without condition) and the second to the condition of using a facemask (henceforth, the With condition). VHI scores were collected via Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, California), targeting 2 groups of speakers of different nationalities, Portuguese (n = 261) and Spanish (n = 297).

Long-Term Average Spectrum Characteristics of Portuguese Fado-Canção from Coimbra.

Descriptions of acoustical characteristics of Fado, a Portuguese urban style sung in Lisbon and Oporto, are scarce, particularly concerning Fado-Canção, a related style sung in Coimbra. The present study aims at describing long-term average spectrum (LTAS) parameters of 16 professional singers while singing and reading the lyrics of a typical Fado-Canção. LTAS parameters were investigated in terms of: (1) equivalent sound level (L); (2) spectral differences between 3 frequency bands 0-2, 2-5, and 5-8 kHz; and (3) quantification of spectral prominence between 2 and 4 kHz, calculated as the level difference between the peak in this frequency region and a reference trendline between 1 and 5 kHz, henceforth Formant Cluster Prominence (FCP).

Female Voice-Related Sexual Attractiveness to Males: Does it Vary With Different Degrees of Conception Likelihood?

Previous investigations have found that female voice-related attractiveness to males increases when both conception likelihood (CL) and voice fundamental frequency (f) are elevated. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a perceptual experiment where 78 heterosexual males rated sexual attractiveness of 9 female voice samples, recorded at menstrual, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle under two double-blinded randomly allocated conditions: a natural menstrual cycle (placebo condition) and when using an oral contraceptive pill (OCP condition). The voice samples yielded a total of 54 stimuli that were visually sorted and rated using Visor software.

Glottal Airflow and Glottal Area Waveform Characteristics of Flow Phonation in Untrained Vocally Healthy Adults.

Objective: To examine flow phonation characteristics with regard to vocal fold vibration and voice source properties in vocally healthy adults using multimodality voice measurements across various phonation types (breathy, neutral, flow, and pressed) and loudness conditions (typical, loud, and soft).

Participants And Methods: Vocal fold vibration, airflow, acoustic, and subglottal pressure was analyzed in 13 untrained voices (six female and seven male). Participants repeated the syllable / pæ:/ using breathy, neutral, flow, and pressed phonation during typical, loud, and soft loudness conditions.

What Voice-Related Metrics Change With Menopause? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study.

Voice complaints associated with menopause have been reported by a substantial number of studies. However, to assess the clinical relevance of menopause to voice is still difficult as the extent to which menopausal symptoms are reflected on voice metrics remains unclear. A comprehensive review and meta-analysis were carried out to identify voice-related metrics that change with menopause and to quantify the magnitude of those changes.

Fundamental Frequency Variations Across the Menstrual Cycle and the Use of an Oral Contraceptive Pill.

Purpose Concentrations of sex steroid hormones-estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone-have been associated with premenstrual and menstrual vocal symptoms. However, the extent to which these symptoms may be reflected on acoustical features of the voice is still debated. This study investigates variations in fundamental frequency ( ) and related parameters in connected speech across phases of the menstrual cycle and during the use of a combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP).

Spectrum Effects of a Velopharyngeal Opening in Singing.

The question whether or not a velopharyngeal opening is advantageous in singing has been discussed for a very long time among teachers of singing. The present investigation analyzes the acoustic consequences of a large, a narrow, and a nonexistent velopharyngeal opening (VPO). A divided flow mask (nasal and oral) connected to flow transducers recorded the nasal and oral DC flows in four female and four male classically trained singers while they sang vowel sequences at different pitches under these three experimental conditions.

Real-Time Visual Feedback of Airflow in Voice Training: Aerodynamic Properties of Two Flow Ball Devices.

Objectives: Flow ball devices have been used as teaching tools to provide visual real-time feedback of airflow during singing. This study aims at exploring static back pressure and ball height as function of flow for two devices, marketed as flow ball and floating ball game.

Study Design: This is a comparative descriptive study.

Soul and Musical Theater: A Comparison of Two Vocal Styles.

The phonatory and resonatory characteristics of nonclassical styles of singing have been rarely analyzed in voice research. Six professional singers volunteered to sing excerpts from two songs pertaining to the musical theater and to the soul styles of singing. Voice source parameters and formant frequencies were analyzed by inverse filtering tones, sung at the same fundamental frequencies in both excerpts.

Voice Source Variation Between Vowels in Male Opera Singers.

Objectives: The theory of nonlinear source-filter interaction predicts that the glottal voice source should be affected by the frequency relationship between formants and partials. An attempt to experimentally verify this theory is presented.

Study Design: Glottal voice source and electrolaryngograph (ELG) signal differences between vowels were analyzed in vowel sequences, sung at four pitches with the same degree of vocal loudness by professional opera singers.

Contact quotient versus closed quotient: a comparative study on professional male singers.

Objectives: The term "closed quotient" is frequently used for data derived both from inverse filtering and from electroglottography. In the former case, it is defined as the ratio between the closed phase and the period, as measured in flow glottograms (FLOGG), whereas in the latter case, it is defined as the time interval between the falling and rising parts of the electroglottogram (EGG), measured at some percentage of the peak-to-peak amplitude. The study aims at analyzing differences between EGG- and FLOGG-based closed quotients and their relationships with voice source parameters.

Head and shoulder functional changes in flutists.

Aims: This study aimed at comparing head posture, symmetry of shoulder muscle strength, and posture among developing flutists, professional flutists, and a matched control group of singers.

Methods: Measurements of head and scapular posture and muscle strength were compared between flutists with ≤10 yrs of practice (developing flutists, n=9), flutists with >10 years of practice (professional flutists, n=9), and singers (n=9). Posture was measured with a goniometer and tape measure; strength was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer.

Formant tuning strategies in professional male opera singers.

The term "formant tuning" is generally used for the case that one of the lowest formant frequencies coincides with the frequency of a source spectrum partial. Some authors claim that such coincidence is favorable and belongs to the goals of classical opera voice training, whereas other authors have found evidence for advising against it. This investigation analyzes the relationships between formant frequencies and partials in professional singers, who sang scales on the vowels /a/, /u/, /i/, and /ae/ in a pitch range including the passaggio, that is, the fundamental frequency range of approximately 300-400Hz, applying either of the two singing strategies that are typically used (1) in classical and (2) in nonclassical singing, respectively.

Intonation and expressivity: a single case study of classical western singing.

Previous studies have shown that singers tend to sharpen phrase-peak tones as compared with equally tempered tuning (ETT). Here we test the hypothesis that this can serve the purpose of musical expressivity. Data were drawn from earlier recordings, where a professional baritone sang excerpts as void of musical expression as he could (Neutral) and as expressive as in a concert (Concert).

Effects of the menstrual cycle and oral contraception on singers' pitch control.

Purpose: Difficulties with intonation and vibrato control during the menstrual cycle have been reported by singers; however, this phenomenon has not yet been systematically investigated.

Method: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial assessing effects of the menstrual cycle and use of a combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) on pitch control in singing is presented. Audio-electrolaryngograph recordings were made and blood samples were taken from 9 singers in each of the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle both under the placebo and the OCP conditions for a total of 6 months.

Professional male singers' formant tuning strategies for the vowel /a/.

Certain spectrum characteristics have been identified as important for register equalization around the male passaggio, an effect ascribed to formant tuning although descriptions of formant tuning diverge. Eight professional singers sang scales including their passaggio range on different vowels, applying two formant tuning strategies as found in (1) classical and (2) non-classical singing. Formant frequencies were measured using inverse filtering.

Pregnancy and the singing voice: reports from a case study.

Objectives: Significant changes in body tissues occur during pregnancy; however, literature concerning the effects of pregnancy on the voice is sparse, especially concerning the professional classically trained voice.

Hypotheses: Hormonal variations and associated bodily changes during pregnancy affect phonatory conditions, such as vocal fold motility and glottal adduction.

Design: Longitudinal case study with a semiprofessional classically trained singer.

Oral contraceptive pill containing drospirenone and the professional voice: an electrolaryngographic analysis.

Few studies have been concerned with the effects of combined oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on those who use their voices as a tool of trade. A cohort study involving 20 female professional voice users was carried out assessing irregularity of vocal fold vibration, based on: 1) period-to-period frequency peaks (CFx), and 2) period-to-period amplitude peaks (CAx) in the cycle-to-cycle excitation of the vocal tract. These vocal measures and blood samples were collected at three points of the menstrual cycle, for both natural and OCP cycles.

The effects of a third generation combined oral contraceptive pill on the classical singing voice.

The success of professional operatic singers depends upon the quality of their vocal mechanism. This is known to be sensitive to changes in the endocrine environment. Despite a widespread belief among singers that vocal quality changes according to the stage of the menstrual cycle, this has received little attention.