title: An initial study of voice characteristics of children using two different sound coding strategies in comparison to normal hearing children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare some perceptual and acoustic characteristics of the voices of children who use the advanced combination encoder (ACE) or fine structure processing (FSP) speech coding strategies, and to investigate whether these characteristics differ from children with normal hearing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acoustic analysis of the sustained vowel /a/ was performed using the multi-dimensional voice program (MDVP). Analyses of sequential and spontaneous speech were performed using the real time pitch. Perceptual analyses of these samples were performed using visual-analogic scales of pre-selected parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six children from three years to five years and 11 months of age participated. Twenty-eight were users of ACE, 23 were users of FSP, and 25 were children with normal hearing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although both groups with CI presented with some deviated vocal features, the users of ACE presented with voice quality more like children with normal hearing than the users of FSP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sound processing of ACE appeared to provide better conditions for auditory monitoring of the voice, and consequently, for better control of the voice production. However, these findings need to be further investigated due to the lack of comparative studies published to understand exactly which attributes of sound processing are responsible for differences in performance.
authors: * Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Graduate Program - University of São Paulo , Bauru, SP , Brazil.
authors: Ana Cristina
authors: AC
authors: Coelho
authors: Alcione Ghedini
authors: AG
authors: Brasolotto
authors: Maria Cecília
authors: MC
authors: Bevilacqua
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014831:Voice / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Voice; cochlear implantation; cochlear implants; fundamental frequency; hearing loss; quality of voice