title: Effects of vocal training on singing and speaking voice characteristics in vocally healthy adults and children based on choral and nonchoral data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective cross-sectional study examines the effects of voice training on vocal capabilities in vocally healthy age and gender differentiated groups measured by voice range profile (VRP) and speech range profile (SRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency and intensity measurements of the VRP and SRP using standard singing and speaking voice protocols were derived from 161 trained choir singers (21 males, 59 females, and 81 prepubescent children) and from 188 nonsingers (38 males, 89 females, and 61 children).
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared with nonsingers, both genders of trained adult and child singers exhibited increased mean pitch range, highest frequency, and VRP area in high frequencies (P<0.05). Female singers and child singers also showed significantly increased mean maximum voice intensity, intensity range, and total VRP area. The logistic regression analysis showed that VRP pitch range, highest frequency, maximum voice intensity, and maximum-minimum intensity range, and SRP slope of speaking curve were the key predictors of voice training. Age, gender, and voice training differentiated norms of VRP and SRP parameters are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant positive effect of voice training on vocal capabilities, mostly singing voice, was confirmed. The presented norms for trained singers, with key parameters differentiated by gender and age, are suggested for clinical practice of otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania. norai_s@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Siupsinskiene
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lycke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D014831:Voice; D014834:Voice Training; D055815:Young Adult