title: "Compensatory falsetto": effects on vocal quality.
abstract: The term "compensatory falsetto", for the purpose of this investigation, refers to the development of an abnormally high-pitched voice in the presence of laryngeal pathology where more socially acceptable lower pitched voice production is possible. The purpose of this investigation was to compare laryngeal compensations and their effects on objective measures of vocal function during production of compensatory falsetto voice. Eighteen patients with abnormally high-pitched voice in the presence of underlying laryngeal pathology were evaluated in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami School of Medicine from January, 1988 through December, 1992 and were diagnosed with "compensatory falsetto". Vocal fold paralysis (n = 11) was the most common laryngeal pathology. Vibratory characteristics were evaluated through videostrobolaryngoscopic examination. Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters assessed included fundamental frequency, jitter rate, harmonic-to-noise ratio, glottal air flow, and maximum phonation time. Production of a higher-pitched voice appeared to improve glottic closure and decrease the amount of air loss during phonation. A corresponding increase in maximum phonation time and improvement in acoustic characteristics of jitter and harmonic-to-noise ratio was also observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lundy
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Casiano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014833:Voice Quality