NCVS Insights
NCVS Insights is a monthly publication dedicated to the advancement of science in the study of voice and speech production. Each month we will feature at least 2 new articles that offer cutting-edge insight into the field of voice and speech. From the biology and physiology of vocal sounds to the physics and engineering at the heart of sound production, NCVS Insights will provide unique insights from the brightest names in the field. See below for our past issues.
Edited by Dr. Marco Guzman and Dr. Miriam van Mersbergen
Online ISSN: 2996-122X
Dr. Marco Guzman
Short Bio
Dr. Guzman is a voice pathologist with twenty-three years of clinical and academic experience. He received his Ph.D. in Vocology from the Tampere University, Finland. He also holds a certification in vocology from the University of Iowa and National Center for Voice and Speech (USA). Dr. Guzman joined the faculty at the Universidad de los Andes, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2018 following a 15-year academic career at the University of Chile. He also works as a clinician in the Department of Otolaryngology, Las Condes Clinic, Chile. Moreover, He joined the Tampere University (Finland) as Adjunct Professor in 2018. Since 2022, Dr. Guzman is part of the faculty at the Summer Vocology Institute (University of Utah, USA). Additionally, Marco Guzman is faculty member at the Master of Clinical Vocology at the University of Bologna (Italy). Dr. Guzman is an active and worldwide recognized researcher and author of numerous scientific articles and book chapters related to the underling physiology of semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, physiologic voice therapy, and supraglottic narrowing during singing and speaking voice. Dr. Guzman is frequent speaker and lecturer at national and international meetings on topics related to assessment and management of voice disorders. He belongs to the editorial board of the Journal of Voice and to the Pan American Vocology association (PAVA) Advisory Board.
Dr. Miriam van Mersbergen
Short Bio
Miriam van Mersbergen is Associate Professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Memphis where she teaches Anatomy & Physiology or the Speech Mechanism, Voice Disorders, and Dysphagia. She began her academic career studying music and communication arts at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After a brief career in music she returned to academia and studied speech language pathology and vocology at The University of Iowa. She worked as a voice therapist in Chicago and Milwaukee before commencing doctoral studies in speech language hearing sciences and psychology at the University of Minnesota. In her current position at the University of Memphis, she is the director of the Voice, Emotion, & Cognition Laboratory where her research investigates emotional and cognitive influences on voice production. She integrates electroencephalographic, psychophysiological, acoustic, and aerodynamic measures to capture mind, body, voice interactions. She maintains an active clinical career specializing in voice, breathing, and cough disorders and continually yearns for more time to pursue her singing career.
NCVS Insights Articles
Searching for the Causes of Chest-Falsetto Register Breaks Under Anechoic Conditions
The origin of the breaks between chest and falsetto registers has remained one of the most controversial themes in voice science. The search for the causes of register breaks is reminiscent of a detective story. Discover the next chapter in the story.
Exploring Neuromuscular Changes in the Larynx: Insights from Rat Ultrasonic Vocalizations
The study of rat ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) provides a unique window into understanding the neuromuscular changes in the human larynx that occur with aging. Rats communicate with each other using USVs to convey positive and negative affective states in a variety of communication situations, such as juvenile play, mating, and alerting one another to threats (Brudzynski, 2013).
Anatomy of a Spectrogram
This video provides a brief explanation of how spectrograms are constructed as a collection of individual spectra from consecutive points in time across a speech waveform. The difference between “narrow-band” and “wide-band” spectrograms is also explained based on choice analysis window duration. Three-dimensional animations of waveforms, spectra, and spectrograms are used throughout the video to demonstrate spectrographic representations of sound.
What is Airflow Vibrato?
Vocal vibrato has a number of manifestations. Typically vibrato is first thought of as a variation in fundamental frequency (fo), and secondarily as a variation in intensity and sound quality. Other variations that accompany these three types of vibrato include movement of throat structures (changes in larynx height, alterations in arytenoid adduction, pharyngeal wall movement, tongue movement, etc.), and especially muscle contraction variations that accompany all mentioned vibrato types.
Phonation Threshold Pressure in Inspiratory vs. Expiratory Phonation
Inspiratory or reverse phonation refers to the production of voice when air is inhaled from the mouth and nostrils into the lungs. This way of phonation occurs naturally during laughter, sighs, and crying [1]. It has also been used to achieve special vocal effects by singers, shamans, and ventriloquists, and is common in the vocalizations of other mammals and birds. Furthermore, it is a useful treatment exercise in voice therapy for several voice disorders [2]. However, despite its relevance, few physical studies of inspiratory phonation have been conducted, and its underlying physics still needs further clarification.
The Impact of Visual and Audiovisual Inputs on Voice Perception and Production: Exploring the Role of Immersive Virtual Reality in Clinical Practice
Sensory feedback is crucial for regulating pitch, loudness and other aspects of voice and speech perception and production. (1) Auditory input is traditionally considered the primary signal in speech communication. One of many examples leading to this reasonable conclusion are studies showing that deaf infants exhibit delayed articulatory precision in babbling and phonological deficits during puberty.
Artificial intelligence methodologies to enhance visualisation and subsequent analysis of vocal fold dynamics
For clinical assessment of the voice production process, evaluation of the acoustic voice signal as well as the laryngeal dynamics (i.e., the vocal fold oscillations), producing the source signal in the larynx, is highly important.
Vocal Function and Range
We can make many different sounds with our voices, communicating not only with what is said, but also in which context it is said, and who is saying it. This large variability makes the voice a rich channel for communication, but it also presents us with challenges when we try to assess the status of a voice using quantitative measurements, rather than by listening.
The Importance of Vocal Self-Regulation
he human voice is extremely flexible and adjustments of quality, frequency, and intensity serve to signal various moods, emotions, and intentions. These modifications occur automatically in daily life, but can also be implemented in a developed, controlled, and consciously applied way, in spoken and sung artistic expression. The vocal output depends on a series of anatomical, physiological, and neurological factors, however, there is a crucial participation of the emotional component that impacts the vocal output.
The underappreciated role of vocal fold medial surface thickness in vocal control
Clinicians and singers are used to viewing vocal fold vibration from a superior endoscopic view. However, both vocal fold vibration and vocal control are three-dimensional. Although it is hidden from the superior view, the vocal fold medial surface shape in the vertical dimension plays an important part in determining both the vibratory pattern as viewed from above and the produced voice.
The Use of Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure Devices for Voice Therapy
Over the last three years, a variety of oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) devices have been commonly used by voice therapist and trainers (e.g. Acapella Choice, Shaker Deluxe, Shaker Medic Plus, New Shaker), even if they were not originally created for voice-treatment purposes. OPEP are intended to be used by physiotherapists to mobilize secretions from the lower airway when treating excessive sputum or secretion retention.
Strategies for Safety Thresholds of Phonation for Performers via Dosimetry
Singers are among a category of professionals, along with many other professionals, who rely on their voice for work [1]. Phonotrauma can be caused by many factors, among which the amount and intensity of vocal use are at the forefront [2]. Dosimetry metrics can assist voice professionals aim for safe amounts of voice use, but a threshold of voice use has not yet been established and recommended by researchers [3].
Can the Production of Subharmonics in Vocalization be Considered a Form of Self-Organization?
Self-organization is the spontaneous formation of structures in space and/or time in systems composed of multiple components. Some form of overall order arises from local interactions between sub-system. The process occurs when sufficient energy is available in the system and nonlinearity exists in system components. No external control is needed. Unpredictable fluctuations in internal parameters, usually arising from nonlinearity, are amplified by positive feedback to bring about this organization. Chaos theory describes self-organization in terms of islands of predictability (attractors) in an otherwise unpredictable system.
Recent Insights into Vocal Injury in Singers
Vocal injury in singers can trigger a great deal of fear and uncertainty. A sudden change in the voice during or after a performance may raise the specter of a career-ending injury in the mind of the singer, and a voice that does not recover in due time can directly impact a singer’s livelihood. Much of the misgivings surrounding vocal injuries are attributable to a lack of accurate medical information on the nature of vocal injuries, how they are treated, and real-world outcomes. Several papers in the recent scientific voice literature shed light on these issues and may alleviate the singer’s concerns.
Air Pressures That Are Critical in Vocal Fold Vibration
As singers and speakers, we care about efficient ways to use our voices. Questions regarding the effective use of air pressure and airflow arise. For example: To get louder, is it just about pushing harder with more lung pressure? Or, are there other ways to tune up the system to get more bang for the buck? Let’s get some insights into various pressures in our airways.
NCVS Insights Submissions
Have an article you’d like to publish in NCVS Insights? We’d love to hear from you! Articles are accepted at all times and while not every article we receive will be published, we review and offer feedback on every article we receive. If you’re interested, we would love to hear from you!
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