The 100 Articles You Should Read

Curated by the field's leading scientists, this is a growing library of the most influential research in voice and speech science — organized by topic, with a full citation and a direct link to every article. Use the search box to find a paper by title, author, or subject.

58Articles
18Topics
1933–2018Spanning
01Language and Speech3

Foundational work on what language is and how the speech code is acquired.

On the quantal nature of speech

Argues that the mapping from articulation to acoustics is nonlinear, with stable 'quantal' regions that explain why the world's languages settle on similar distinctive sound categories.

Stevens, K. N. (1989). On the quantal nature of speech. Journal of Phonetics, 17(1-2), 3-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0095-4470(19)31520-7

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The faculty of language: what is it, who has it, and how did it evolve?

Proposes that the uniquely human core of language may be recursion, separating a narrow language faculty from a broader one shared with other species.

Hauser, M. D., Chomsky, N., & Fitch, W. T. (2002). The faculty of language: what is it, who has it, and how did it evolve?. Science, 298(5598), 1569-1579. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.298.5598.1569

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Early language acquisition: cracking the speech code

Reviews how infants 'crack the speech code,' showing that early exposure tunes the brain to native-language sounds through social and statistical learning.

Kuhl, P. K. (2004). Early language acquisition: cracking the speech code. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 5(11), 831-843. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn1533

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02Voice and Speech Development2

How the speech mechanism matures and how infants learn to vocalize.

Anatomical and neuromuscular maturation of the speech mechanism: Evidence from acoustic studies

Uses acoustic evidence to chart how a child's speech mechanism matures anatomically and neuromuscularly from infancy onward.

Kent, R. D. (1976). Anatomical and neuromuscular maturation of the speech mechanism: Evidence from acoustic studies. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 19(3), 421-447. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.1903.421

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Infant vocalizations in response to speech: Vocal imitation and developmental change

Demonstrates that infants imitate the vowels they hear, offering early evidence of vocal learning and developmental change.

Kuhl, P. K., & Meltzoff, A. N. (1996). Infant vocalizations in response to speech: Vocal imitation and developmental change. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 100(4), 2425-2438. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.417951

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03Speech Simulation and Synthesis5

Models and machines that generate human-like voice and speech.

Synthetic voices for computers

An early overview of the technology and methods for generating synthetic speech by computer.

Flanagan, J. L., Coker, C. H., Rabiner, L. R., Schafer, R. W., & Umeda, N. (1970). Synthetic voices for computers. IEEE Spectrum, 7(10), 22-45. https://doi.org/10.1109/mspec.1970.5212992

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Synthesis of voiced sounds from a two-mass model of the vocal cords

Introduces the influential two-mass model of the vocal folds, simulating self-sustained oscillation and the production of voiced sound.

Ishizaka, K., & Flanagan, J. L. (1972). Synthesis of voiced sounds from a two-mass model of the vocal cords. Bell System Technical Journal, 51(6), 1233-1268. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1538-7305.1972.tb02651.x

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A finite-element model of vocal-fold vibration

Presents a finite-element model of vocal-fold vibration that captures the tissue mechanics of phonation.

Alipour, F., Berry, D. A., & Titze, I. R. (2000). A finite-element model of vocal-fold vibration. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 108(6), 3003-3012. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1324678

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Software for a cascade/parallel formant synthesizer

Describes the widely adopted Klatt formant synthesizer and its software for producing intelligible synthetic speech.

Klatt, D. H. (1980). Software for a cascade/parallel formant synthesizer. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 67(3), 971-995. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.383940

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An electrical analog of the vocal tract

Builds an electrical-circuit analog of the vocal tract to study how tract shape determines speech acoustics.

Stevens, K. N., Kasowski, S., & Fant, C. G. M. (1953). An electrical analog of the vocal tract. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 25(4), 734-742. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1907169

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04Voice and Speech Perception3

How listeners decode loudness, voicing, and the speech signal.

Loudness, its definition, measurement and calculation

Establishes equal-loudness contours and a method for defining, measuring, and calculating perceived loudness.

Fletcher, H., & Munson, W. A. (1933). Loudness, its definition, measurement and calculation. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 5(2), 82-108. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1538-7305.1933.tb00403.x

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Speech perception by the chinchilla: Voiced-voiceless distinction in alveolar plosive consonants

Shows that chinchillas perceive the voiced-voiceless boundary much like humans, suggesting categorical speech perception has general auditory roots.

Kuhl, P. K., & Miller, J. D. (1975). Speech perception by the chinchilla: Voiced-voiceless distinction in alveolar plosive consonants. Science, 190(4209), 69-72. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1166301

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A theory of speech motor control and supporting data from speakers with normal hearing and with profound hearing loss

Presents a theory of speech motor control supported by data from speakers with normal hearing and with profound hearing loss.

Perkell, J. S., Guenther, F. H., Lane, H., Matthies, M. L., Perrier, P., Vick, J., ... & Zandipour, M. (2000). A theory of speech motor control and supporting data from speakers with normal hearing and with profound hearing loss. Journal of Phonetics, 28(3), 233-272. https://doi.org/10.1006/jpho.2000.0116

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05Theories of Voice and Speech Production4

Core theories explaining how the voice and speech are produced.

Myoelastic-aerodynamic theory of voice production

Formulates the myoelastic-aerodynamic theory, explaining vocal-fold vibration as the interplay of tissue elasticity and airflow.

Van den Berg, J. (1958). Myoelastic-aerodynamic theory of voice production. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 1(3), 227-244. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.0103.227

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Acoustic and perceptual characteristics of voicing in fricatives and fricative clusters

Examines the acoustic and perceptual cues that distinguish voiced from voiceless fricatives.

Stevens, K. N., Blumstein, S. E., Glicksman, L., Burton, M., & Kurowski, K. (1992). Acoustic and perceptual characteristics of voicing in fricatives and fricative clusters. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 91(5), 2979-3000. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.402933

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Time-varying features as correlates of place of articulation in stop consonants

Identifies the dynamic spectral cues that signal place of articulation in stop consonants.

Kewley-Port, D. (1983). Time-varying features as correlates of place of articulation in stop consonants. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 73(1), 322-335. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.388813

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06Motor Control of Speech2

Neural and cortical mechanisms that coordinate speech movements.

Cortical interactions underlying the production of speech sounds

Maps the cortical interactions underlying the production of speech sounds within a neurocomputational framework.

Guenther, F. H. (2006). Cortical interactions underlying the production of speech sounds. Journal of Communication Disorders, 39(5), 350-365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2006.06.013

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Speech sound acquisition, coarticulation, and rate effects in a neural network model of speech production

Presents a neural-network model accounting for speech-sound acquisition, coarticulation, and rate effects.

Guenther, F. H. (1995). Speech sound acquisition, coarticulation, and rate effects in a neural network model of speech production. Psychological Review, 102(3), 594-621. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-295x.102.3.594

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07Acoustics and Perception of Singing6

The science of the singing voice, choirs, and vocal style.

Preferred self-to-other ratios in choir singing

Measures the balance choir singers prefer between their own voice and the sound of the rest of the choir.

Ternstrom, S. (1999). Preferred self-to-other ratios in choir singing. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 105(6), 3563-3574. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.424680

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Intonation precision of choir singers

Quantifies how precisely choir singers tune their pitch when singing in ensemble.

Ternstrom, S., & Sundberg, J. (1988). Intonation precision of choir singers. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 84(1), 59-69. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.396875

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Long-term-average spectrum characteristics of country singers during speaking and singing

Compares the long-term-average spectra of country singers' speaking versus singing voices.

Cleveland, T. F., Sundberg, J., & Stone, R. E. (2001). Long-term-average spectrum characteristics of country singers during speaking and singing. Journal of Voice, 15(1), 54-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0892-1997(01)00006-6

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Belting and pop, nonclassical approaches to the female middle voice: some preliminary considerations

Explores the laryngeal and acoustic basis of belting and other nonclassical approaches to the female middle voice.

Schutte, H. K., & Miller, D. G. (1993). Belting and pop, nonclassical approaches to the female middle voice: some preliminary considerations. Journal of Voice, 7(2), 142-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0892-1997(05)80344-3

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08Vocal Fold Oscillation1

The physics of how the vocal folds vibrate to make sound.

The physics of small-amplitude oscillation of the vocal folds

Derives the physical conditions for self-sustained vocal-fold oscillation, a foundational result in voice science.

Titze, I. R. (1988). The physics of small-amplitude oscillation of the vocal folds. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 83(4), 1536-1552. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.395910

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09Vocal Tract Airway for Vowels and Consonants3

Imaging and modeling the airway that shapes vowels and consonants.

Control methods used in a study of the vowels

The landmark study mapping vowel formant frequencies across many talkers, a cornerstone of vowel acoustics.

Peterson, G. E., & Barney, H. L. (1952). Control methods used in a study of the vowels. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 24(2), 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1906875

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Vocal tract area functions from magnetic resonance imaging

Uses MRI to derive vocal-tract area functions for vowels, linking anatomy to acoustic output.

Story, B. H., Titze, I. R., & Hoffman, E. A. (1996). Vocal tract area functions from magnetic resonance imaging. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 100(1), 537-554. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.415960

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Analysis of vocal tract shape and dimensions using magnetic resonance imaging: Vowels

Analyzes vocal-tract shape and dimensions for vowels using magnetic resonance imaging.

Baer, T., Gore, J. C., Gracco, L. C., & Nye, P. W. (1991). Analysis of vocal tract shape and dimensions using magnetic resonance imaging: Vowels. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 90(2), 799-828. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.401949

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10Voice and Speech Quality1

Vocal registers and the mechanisms behind voice quality.

Laryngeal vibratory mechanisms: the notion of vocal register revisited

Revisits the concept of vocal register, defining the laryngeal vibratory mechanisms behind register changes.

Roubeau, B., Henrich, N., & Castellengo, M. (2009). Laryngeal vibratory mechanisms: the notion of vocal register revisited. Journal of Voice, 23(4), 425-438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2007.10.014

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11Aerodynamics in Vocalization3

Breathing, chest-wall mechanics, and the pressures that drive the voice.

Dynamics of the chest wall during speech production: Function of the thorax, rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen

Details how the rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen work together in the breathing that supports speech.

Hixon, T. J., Mead, J., & Goldman, M. D. (1976). Dynamics of the chest wall during speech production: Function of the thorax, rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 19(2), 297-356. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.1902.297

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Kinematics of the chest wall during speech production: Volume displacements of the rib cage, abdomen, and lung

Quantifies rib-cage and abdominal volume displacements during speech breathing.

Hixon, T. J., Goldman, M. D., & Mead, J. (1973). Kinematics of the chest wall during speech production: Volume displacements of the rib cage, abdomen, and lung. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 16(1), 78-115. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.1601.78

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Intraglottal pressure profiles for a symmetric and oblique glottis with a divergence angle of 10 degrees

Measures intraglottal pressure profiles for symmetric and oblique (divergent) glottal shapes.

Scherer, R. C., Shinwari, D., De Witt, K. J., Zhang, C., Kucinschi, B. R., & Afjeh, A. A. (2001). Intraglottal pressure profiles for a symmetric and oblique glottis with a divergence angle of 10 degrees. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 109(4), 1616-1630. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1333420

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12Vocal Fold Anatomy3

Structure and growth of the larynx and vocal folds.

Growth of the human prepubertal and pubertal larynx

Documents the anatomical growth of the human larynx before and through puberty.

Kahane, J. C. (1982). Growth of the human prepubertal and pubertal larynx. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 25(3), 446-455. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.2503.446

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A two-dimensional biomechanical model of vocal fold posturing

Presents a two-dimensional biomechanical model of how the laryngeal muscles posture the vocal folds.

Titze, I. R., & Hunter, E. J. (2007). A two-dimensional biomechanical model of vocal fold posturing. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 121(4), 2254-2260. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.2697573

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13Instrumentation5

Methods and tools for measuring voice and airflow.

A new inverse-filtering technique for deriving the glottal air flow waveform during voicing

Introduces an inverse-filtering technique to recover the glottal airflow waveform during voicing.

Rothenberg, M. (1973). A new inverse-filtering technique for deriving the glottal air flow waveform during voicing. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 53(6), 1632-1645. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1913513

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Measurement of airflow in speech

Describes practical methods for measuring oral and glottal airflow in speech.

Rothenberg, M. (1977). Measurement of airflow in speech. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 20(1), 155-176. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.2001.155

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Guidelines for selecting microphones for human voice production research

Provides practical guidelines for selecting microphones in human voice-production research.

Svec, J. G., & Granqvist, S. (2010). Guidelines for selecting microphones for human voice production research. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 19(4), 356-368. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2010/09-0091)

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Recommendation by the Union of European Phoniatricians (UEP): standardizing voice area measurement/phonetography

Sets out standardized recommendations for measuring the voice range profile, or phonetogram.

Schutte, H. K., & Seidner, W. (1983). Recommendation by the Union of European Phoniatricians (UEP): standardizing voice area measurement/phonetography. Folia Phoniatrica, 35(6), 286-288. https://doi.org/10.1159/000265703

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Comparisons among aerodynamic, electroglottographic, and acoustic spectral measures of female voice

Compares aerodynamic, electroglottographic, and acoustic measures of the normal female voice.

Holmberg, E. B., Hillman, R. E., Perkell, J. S., Guiod, P. C., & Goldman, S. L. (1995). Comparisons among aerodynamic, electroglottographic, and acoustic spectral measures of female voice. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 38(6), 1212-1223. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.3806.1212

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14Fundamental Frequency and Intensity Control1

How the larynx regulates pitch and loudness.

The function of laryngeal muscles in regulating fundamental frequency and intensity of phonation

Shows how individual laryngeal muscles regulate the fundamental frequency and intensity of phonation.

Hirano, M., Ohala, J., & Vennard, W. (1969). The function of laryngeal muscles in regulating fundamental frequency and intensity of phonation. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 12(3), 616-628. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.1203.616

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15Voice and Speech Training and Therapy4

Evidence behind voice therapy and training techniques.

Factors associated with voice therapy outcomes in the treatment of presbyphonia

Identifies the factors associated with successful voice-therapy outcomes in age-related voice change (presbyphonia).

Mau, T., Jacobson, B. H., & Garrett, C. G. (2010). Factors associated with voice therapy outcomes in the treatment of presbyphonia. The Laryngoscope, 120(6), 1181-1187. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.20890

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Voice training and therapy with a semi-occluded vocal tract: rationale and scientific underpinnings

Lays out the rationale and science behind semi-occluded vocal-tract exercises now common in voice training and therapy.

Titze, I. R. (2006). Voice training and therapy with a semi-occluded vocal tract: rationale and scientific underpinnings. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 49(2), 448-459. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2006/035)

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Clinical practice guideline: improving voice outcomes after thyroid surgery

A clinical practice guideline for improving voice outcomes after thyroid surgery.

Chandrasekhar, S. S., Randolph, G. W., Barkmeier-Kraemer, J., Robinson, P. J., et al. (2013). Clinical practice guideline: improving voice outcomes after thyroid surgery. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 148(6 Suppl), S1-S37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599813487301

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Vocal Exercise May Attenuate Acute Vocal Fold Inflammation

A controlled study finding that resonant voice exercise may help resolve acute vocal fold inflammation after phonotrauma, compared with voice rest or spontaneous speech.

Verdolini Abbott, K., Li, N. Y. K., Branski, R. C., Rosen, C. A., Grillo, E., Steinhauer, K., & Hebda, P. A. (2012). Vocal Exercise May Attenuate Acute Vocal Fold Inflammation. Journal of Voice, 26(6), 814.e1-814.e13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2012.03.008

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16Vocal Fold Cellular Biology and Tissue Engineering4

Cell biology, scarring, and engineering of vocal fold tissue.

Histologic and rheologic characterization of vocal fold scarring

Characterizes the histology and tissue mechanics of vocal-fold scarring.

Thibeault, S. L., Gray, S. D., Bless, D. M., Chan, R. W., & Ford, C. N. (2002). Histologic and rheologic characterization of vocal fold scarring. Journal of Voice, 16(1), 96-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0892-1997(02)00078-4

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Vocal fold tissue repair in vivo using a synthetic extracellular matrix

Demonstrates in-vivo vocal-fold tissue repair using an injectable synthetic extracellular matrix.

Duflo, S., Thibeault, S. L., Li, W., Shu, X. Z., & Prestwich, G. D. (2006). Vocal fold tissue repair in vivo using a synthetic extracellular matrix. Tissue Engineering, 12(8), 2171-2180. https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.2006.12.2171

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Novel isolation and biochemical characterization of immortalized fibroblasts for tissue engineering vocal fold lamina propria

Develops immortalized fibroblast lines for engineering vocal-fold lamina propria.

Chen, X., & Thibeault, S. L. (2009). Novel isolation and biochemical characterization of immortalized fibroblasts for tissue engineering vocal fold lamina propria. Tissue Engineering Part C: Methods, 15(2), 201-212. https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tec.2008.0390

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17Laryngeal Surgery3

Landmark phonosurgical techniques for the larynx.

Premalignant epithelium and microinvasive cancer of the vocal fold: the evolution of phonomicrosurgical management

Traces the evolution of phonomicrosurgical management of premalignant and early-cancer vocal-fold lesions.

Zeitels, S. M. (1995). Premalignant epithelium and microinvasive cancer of the vocal fold: the evolution of phonomicrosurgical management. The Laryngoscope, 105(S67), 1-44. https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-199503001-00001

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Thyroplasty as a new phonosurgical technique

Introduces thyroplasty, a laryngeal framework surgery that became a mainstay of phonosurgery.

Isshiki, N., Morita, H., Okamura, H., & Hiramoto, M. (1974). Thyroplasty as a new phonosurgical technique. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 78(5-6), 451-457. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016487409126379

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Arytenoid adduction for unilateral vocal cord paralysis

Describes arytenoid adduction surgery for treating unilateral vocal-fold paralysis.

Isshiki, N., Tanabe, M., & Sawada, M. (1978). Arytenoid adduction for unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Archives of Otolaryngology, 104(10), 555-558. https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1978.00790100009002

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18Voice Disorders5

Assessment and characterization of disordered voice.

Acoustic analysis of pathological voice: some results of clinical application

Applies acoustic analysis clinically to characterize pathological voices.

Hirano, M., Hibi, S., Yoshida, T., Hirade, Y., Kasuya, H., & Kikuchi, Y. (1988). Acoustic analysis of pathological voice: some results of clinical application. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 105(5-6), 432-438. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016488809119497

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Thyroarytenoid muscle activity associated with hypophonia in Parkinson disease and aging

Links thyroarytenoid muscle activity to the soft voice (hypophonia) of Parkinson disease and aging.

Baker, K. K., Ramig, L. O., Luschei, E. S., & Smith, M. E. (1998). Thyroarytenoid muscle activity associated with hypophonia in Parkinson disease and aging. Neurology, 51(6), 1592-1598. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.51.6.1592

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Recommended protocols for instrumental assessment of voice

An ASHA expert-panel consensus on recommended protocols for instrumental assessment of voice.

Patel, R. R., Awan, S. N., Barkmeier-Kraemer, J., Courey, M., Deliyski, D., Eadie, T., ... & Hillman, R. (2018). Recommended protocols for instrumental assessment of voice. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(3), 887-905. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-17-0009

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Voice disorders in teachers and the general population

A large epidemiological study showing teachers experience voice disorders at higher rates than the general population.

Roy, N., Merrill, R. M., Thibeault, S., Gray, S. D., & Smith, E. M. (2004). Voice disorders in teachers and the general population. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 47(3), 542-551. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2004/042)

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Laryngeal dystonia: a series with botulinum toxin therapy

An early case series establishing botulinum toxin therapy for laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia).

Blitzer, A., & Brin, M. F. (1991). Laryngeal dystonia: a series with botulinum toxin therapy. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 100(2), 85-89. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348949110000201

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