Selected Acoustic Characteristics of Esophageal Speech Produced by Female Laryngectomees

Abstract

Voice fundamental frequency (VFF), phonation time, and duration characteristics were analyzed for 15 female and 18 male esophageal speakers to determine whether acoustic differences existed as a function of speaker sex. A significant difference was found between the mean fundamental frequency of esophageal speech produced by men and that produced by women. The average VFF of women was approximately seven semitones higher than that established for men. Without regard to speaker sex, the average voice fundamental frequency for the total sample of 33 talkers was 24.9 semitones (69 Hz). Mean fundamental frequencies for individual speakers ranged from 12.9–43.7 semitones (33–200 Hz). No significant sex differences were found for VFF variability, phonation time, and duration measures. The findings highlight the need for investigators to control for acoustic differences between male and female esophageal speakers.