Laryngeal configuration and constriction during two types of whispering.
Laryngeal functioning during the production of whispered speech is not well understood. The efficacy of whispering as a means of voice rest is a common clinical concern that is unresolved. This investigation examined vocal-fold configuration, glottal size, and airway constriction by supraglottal structures during whispering. Ten normally speaking adults produced consonant-vowel syllables with three different vowels while whispering in low-effort and high-effort manners. The larynx was visualized through fiberoptic endonasolaryngoscopy, and the views were recorded on videotape. Analysis and descriptions of the data revealed that low-effort and high-effort whispering were differentiated to a small extent by vocal-fold adjustments and to a somewhat larger degree by supraglottal constriction. However, for each dependent variable, individual subject differences tended to be considerably larger than any systematic effects due to whisper type or vowel.
Solomon
N P
NP
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
McCall
G N
GN
Trosset
M W
MW
Gray
W C
WC
D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005931:Glottis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D014743:Videotape Recording; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000502:physiology; D014831:Voice