title: Gender differences in children's voice use in a day care environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of dysphonia is higher in boys than in girls before puberty. This could be because of the differences in boys' and girls' voice use. Previous research on gender differences in prepubescent children's voice parameters has been contradictory. Most studies have focused on examining fundamental frequency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate voice use in boys and girls in a day care environment based on the voice parameters fundamental frequency (Hz), vocal intensity (dB SPL), and phonation time (%) and to ascertain whether there were any significant gender differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective comparative design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a day care environment where 30 children (17 boys and 13 girls aged 4-5 years) participated. The participants' voices were measured continuously for 4 hours with a voice accumulator that registered fundamental frequency, vocal intensity level, phonation time, and background noise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (standard deviation) fundamental frequency was 310 (22) and 321 (16) Hz, vocal intensity was 93 (4) and 91 (3) dB SPL, and phonation time was 7.7 (2.0)% and 7.6 (2.5)% for boys and girls, respectively. No differences between genders were statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The finding of no statistically significant gender differences for measurements of voice parameters in a group of children aged 4-5 years in a day care environment is an important finding that contributes to increased knowledge about young boys' and girls' voice use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Speech and Language Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nygren
authors.forename: Mikaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tyboni
authors.forename: Fredric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Doorn
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise; D010699:Phonation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014833:Voice Quality