title: Improvements in estimating the harmonics-to-noise ratio of the voice.
abstract: An improved algorithm for computing harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) of the voice was developed and tested using synthesized vowels at various fundamental frequencies and known HNR values. The described algorithm implements a stringent routine for the identification of pitch pulse boundary markers based on a combination of peak-picking and zero-crossing procedures. Results showed mean absolute errors between computed versus expected HNR to be < 2 dB, a significant improvement over previously reported methods. Computational errors were minimized most effectively with vowel samples in the range of 17 to -10 dB HNR. Normative data for young adult males and females indicate that HNR < 13 dB may be considered abnormal in a majority of cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Northern Michigan University, Marquette 49855-5337.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Awan
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Frenkel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software; D013018:Sound Spectrography / Q000379:methods*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology