• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.89-100
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• 2021

This study compared the voice range profiles (VRPs) with glissando and simplified VRP methods with 57 men who were in premutation (8-13 years), mutation (11-16 years), and postmutation (10-24 years) stages. The difference between modal and falsetto areas measured in two VRP methods was also compared. As the results, the average fundamental frequency (F0) was in the order of premuaton>mutation>postmutation. The maximum F0 (F0max), the range of F0 (F0range), the maximum intensity (Imax), and the range of intensity (Irange) were the lowest in the mutation stage, and these variables were higher in falsetto area than in modal area in both methods. In addition, most variables of VRP in glissando were higher than in simplified VRP, but the differences were not significant. This study showed that, in men in mutation stage, due to the temporary anatomical and physiological changes of the larynx, the mechanism of the vocal folds vibration changes and VRP shows a different pattern from that of other age groups. Both the VRPs of glissando and simplifed VRP are suitable for clinical practice by experienced examiners. And it is necessary to measure not only the falsetto area but also the modal area when measuring VRP.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.49-55
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• 2019

This study sought to investigate whether mean speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) can be predicted by parameters of voice and speech range profile (VRP and SRP) in Korean normal adults. Moreover, it explored whether gender differences exist in the absolute differences between the SFF and estimated SFF (ESFF) predicted by the VRP and SRP. A total of 85 native Korean speakers with normal voice participated in the study. Each participant was asked to perform the VRP task using the vowel /a/ and the SRP task using the first sentence of a Korean standard passage "Ga-eul". In addition, the SFF was measured with electroglottography during a passage reading task. Predictive factors of the SFF were explored and the absolute difference between the SFF and the ESFF (DSFF) was compared between gender groups. Results indicated that predictive factors were age, gender, minimum pitch and pitch range for the VRP (adjusted $R^2=.931$), and pitch range (in semi-tones) and maximum pitch for the SRP (adjusted $R^2=.963$), respectively. The SFF and ESFF predicted by the VRP and SRP showed a strong positive correlation. The DSFF of the VRP and SRP, as well as their sum did not differ by gender. In conclusion, the SFF during a passage reading task could be successfully predicted by the parameters of the VRP and SRP tasks. In further studies, clinical implications need to be explored in patients who may exhibit deviations in SFF.