The usefulness of the acoustic and the capacity analysis of singing voice

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the acoustic and capacity analysis of singing voice using DiagnoScope Specialist software. Material and methods: The study was conducted in 120 adults subjects, including 74 women and 46 men aged 21-5, were divided into 3 groups: I -40 subjects (treatment group) – professional vocalists, II- 40 subjects (treatment group) – semiprofessional vocalists, III- 40 subjects (control group) – students of The Military Medical Faculty at Medical University of Lodz – nonsingers. The research methodology included: primary medical history, physical examination (otolaryngological), vdeolaryngoscopic examination, the GRBAS scale for subjective voice evaluation, diagnostic voice acoustic and capacity analysis using DiagnoScope Specialist software, survey on lifestyle patterns which may affect voice quality. Results: Average value of the fundamental frequency F0 was the highest in professional vocalists’ group was 316,46 Hz in women and 165,09 Hz in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 260,50 Hz and 149,26 Hz, in nonsingers’ group was accordingly 261,23 Hz and 159, 27 Hz. Average value of Jitter parameter in professional vocalists’ group was 0,30% in women and 0,54% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 0,31% and 0,57%, in nonsingers’ group was 0,31% and 0,56%. Average value of Shimmer parameter in professional vocalists’ group was 3,27% in women and 3,75% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 3,46% and 3,77%, in nonsingers’ group was 4,33% and 4,39%. Average value of NHR index in professional vocalists’ group was 3,28% in women and 6,00% in men, in semiprofessional vocalists’ group was accordingly 3,23% and 6,72%, in nonsingers’ group was 3,89% and 6,13%. Conclusions: Values of the parameters which are measuring the character of the voice, relative period-to-period fundamental frequency perturbations, relative period-to-period amplitude perturbation and level of buzzing together with other methods have diagnostic and predictive value in early detection of voice disorders. Capacity analysis in singing voice showed very low values of the following parameters: phonation time, true phonation time, no phonation coefficient, voice efficiency coefficient and voice capacity. Key words: The acoustic and capacity analysis, singing voice