Relative Fundamental Frequency Distinguishes Between Phonotraumatic and Non-Phonotraumatic Vocal Hyperfunction

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine the ability of an acoustic measure, relative fundamental frequency (RFF), to distinguish between two subtypes of vocal hyperfunction (VH): phonotraumatic (PVH) and non-phonotraumatic (NPVH).

Method

RFF values were compared among control individuals with typical voices (N = 49), individuals with PVH (N = 54), and individuals with NPVH (N = 35).

Results

Offset Cycle 10 RFF differed significantly among all 3 groups with values progressively decreasing for controls, individuals with NPVH, and individuals with PVH. Individuals with PVH also had lower Offset Cycles 8 and 9 relative to the other 2 groups and lower RFF values for Offset Cycle 7 relative to controls. There was also a trend for lower Onset Cycle 1 RFF values for the PVH group compared with the NPVH group.

Conclusions

RFF values were significantly different between controls and individuals with VH and also between the two subtypes of VH. This study adds further support to the notion that the differences between these two subsets of VH may be functional as well as structural.

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