title: Quantitative measurement of vocal fold vibration in male radio performers and healthy controls using high-speed videoendoscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acoustic and perceptual studies show a number of differences between the voices of radio performers and controls. Despite this, the vocal fold kinematics underlying these differences are largely unknown. Using high-speed videoendoscopy, this study sought to determine whether the vocal vibration features of radio performers differed from those of non-performing controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using high-speed videoendoscopy, recordings of a mid-phonatory/i/ in 16 male radio performers (aged 25-52 years) and 16 age-matched controls (aged 25-52 years) were collected. Videos were extracted and analysed semi-automatically using High-Speed Video Program, obtaining measures of fundamental frequency (f0), open quotient and speed quotient. Post-hoc analyses of sound pressure level (SPL) were also performed (n = 19). Pearson's correlations were calculated between SPL and both speed and open quotients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Male radio performers had a significantly higher speed quotient than their matched controls (t = 3.308, p = 0.005). No significant differences were found for f0 or open quotient. No significant correlation was found between either open or speed quotient with SPL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A higher speed quotient in male radio performers suggests that their vocal fold vibration was characterised by a higher ratio of glottal opening to closing times than controls. This result may explain findings of better voice quality, higher equivalent sound level and greater spectral tilt seen in previous research. Open quotient was not significantly different between groups, indicating that the durations of complete vocal fold closure were not different between the radio performers and controls. Further validation of these results is required to determine the aetiology of the higher speed quotient result and its implications for voice training and clinical management in performers.
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Warhurst
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: McCabe
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Heard
authors: Division of Speech and Hearing Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Edwin
authors: E
authors: Yiu
authors: Division of Speech and Hearing Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Gaowu
authors: G
authors: Wang
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Madill
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063346:Singing / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration; D014741:Video Recording; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000502:physiology*