title: Evaluating voice characteristics of first-year acting students in Israel: factor analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acting students require diverse, high-quality, and high-intensity vocal performance from early stages of their training. Demanding vocal activities, before developing the appropriate vocal skills, put them in high risk for developing vocal problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of voice characteristics of first-year acting students using several voice evaluation tools.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 79 first-year acting students (55 women and 24 men) were assigned into two study groups: laryngeal findings (LFs) and no laryngeal findings, based on stroboscopic findings. Their voice characteristics were evaluated using acoustic analysis, aerodynamic examination, perceptual scales, and self-report questionnaires. Results obtained from each set of measures were examined using a factor analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences between the two groups were found for a single fundamental frequency (F(0))-Regularity factor; a single Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain perceptual factor; and the three self-evaluation factors. Gender differences were found for two acoustic analysis factors, which were based on F(0) and its derivatives, namely an aerodynamic factor that represents expiratory volume measurements and a single self-evaluation factor that represents the tendency to seek therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately 50% of the first-year acting students had LFs. These students differed from their peers in the control group in a single acoustic analysis factor, as well as perceptual and self-report factors. No group differences, however, were found for the aerodynamic factors. Early laryngeal examination and voice evaluation of future professional voice users could provide a valuable individual baseline, to which later examinations could be compared, and assist in providing personally tailored treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. oferamir@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Primov-Fever
authors.forename: Tami
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kushnir
authors.forename: Osnat
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kandelshine-Waldman
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007830:Larynx / Q000002:abnormalities; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014831:Voice; D055815:Young Adult