Common Terminology and Acoustic Measures for Human Voice and Birdsong

Purpose

The zebra finch is used as a model to study the neural circuitry of auditory-guided human vocal production. The terminology of birdsong production and acoustic analysis, however, differs from human voice production, making it difficult for voice researchers of either species to navigate the literature from the other. The purpose of this research note is to identify common terminology and measures to better compare information across species.

Method

Terminology used in the birdsong literature will be mapped onto terminology used in the human voice production literature. Measures typically used to quantify the percepts of pitch, loudness, and quality will be described. Measures common to the literature in both species will be made from the songs of 3 middle-age birds using Praat and Song Analysis Pro. Two measures, cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and Wiener entropy (WE), will be compared to determine if they provide similar information.

Results

Similarities and differences in terminology and acoustic analyses are presented. A core set of measures including frequency, frequency variability within a syllable, intensity, CPP, and WE are proposed for future studies. CPP and WE are related yet provide unique information about the syllable structure.

Conclusions

Using a core set of measures familiar to both human voice and birdsong researchers, along with both CPP and WE, will allow characterization of similarities and differences among birds. Standard terminology and measures will improve accessibility of the birdsong literature to human voice researchers and vice versa.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7438964

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Common Terminology and Acoustic Measures for Human Voice and Birdsong

Purpose

The zebra finch is used as a model to study the neural circuitry of auditory-guided human vocal production. The terminology of birdsong production and acoustic analysis, however, differs from human voice production, making it difficult for voice researchers of either species to navigate the literature from the other. The purpose of this research note is to identify common terminology and measures to better compare information across species.

Method

Terminology used in the birdsong literature will be mapped onto terminology used in the human voice production literature. Measures typically used to quantify the percepts of pitch, loudness, and quality will be described. Measures common to the literature in both species will be made from the songs of 3 middle-age birds using Praat and Song Analysis Pro. Two measures, cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and Wiener entropy (WE), will be compared to determine if they provide similar information.

Results

Similarities and differences in terminology and acoustic analyses are presented. A core set of measures including frequency, frequency variability within a syllable, intensity, CPP, and WE are proposed for future studies. CPP and WE are related yet provide unique information about the syllable structure.

Conclusions

Using a core set of measures familiar to both human voice and birdsong researchers, along with both CPP and WE, will allow characterization of similarities and differences among birds. Standard terminology and measures will improve accessibility of the birdsong literature to human voice researchers and vice versa.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7438964

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Index to Volume 29.

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Index to Volume 29.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov/Dec;29(10):957-960

Authors:

PMID: 30526809 [PubMed - in process]

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JAAA CEU Program.

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JAAA CEU Program.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov/Dec;29(10):955-956

Authors:

PMID: 30526808 [PubMed - in process]

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Index to Volume 29.

Related Articles

Index to Volume 29.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov/Dec;29(10):957-960

Authors:

PMID: 30526809 [PubMed - in process]

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JAAA CEU Program.

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JAAA CEU Program.

J Am Acad Audiol. 2018 Nov/Dec;29(10):955-956

Authors:

PMID: 30526808 [PubMed - in process]

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[Management of vestibular schwannomas].

Related Articles

[Management of vestibular schwannomas].

Laryngorhinootologie. 2018 Dec;97(12):875-896

Authors: Schulz C, Eßer D, Rosahl S, Baljić I, Kösling S, Plontke SK

Abstract
Vestibular schwannomas are benign neoplasms originating from the Schwann cells of the vestibular vestibular nerve of the vestibulocochlear nerve, and rarely from the pars cochlearis. These are tumors that are in contact with the nerve but do not bind the fibers. Benign neoplasms of the Schwann cells of the auditory and equilibrium nerves can also occur primarily in the inner ear and are referred to as intralabyrinthine schwannomas (ILS). Vestibular schwannomas represent 6-7 % of all intracranial and 90 % of cerebellopontine angle tumors. Bilateral occurrence occurs in < 5 % of cases, and then corresponds to type 2 neurofibromatosis. The first symptom is often a unilateral hearing loss. It may then lead to balance disorders, tinnitus, facial paralysis and other impairments. Diagnosis is audiological, vestibular and imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging currently represents the gold standard. Management chooses between an observational strategy and surgery, depending on tumor size, age, and other factors. The possible access routes offer different advantages and disadvantages; the potential complications include the liquorrhoea. Radiation therapy is possible in special cases, and drug therapies are also being tested. In the rehabilitation of the hearing function, in addition to a CROS or BICROS restoration, the cochlear implant has been used with good success. The impact on quality of life is largely determined by hearing impairment, balance disorders, tinnitus, and possibly headache, which must be considered in patient consultation and long-term care.

PMID: 30536286 [PubMed - in process]

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De novo and inherited loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2 are associated with rapidly progressive hearing impairment.

Related Articles

De novo and inherited loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2 are associated with rapidly progressive hearing impairment.

Hum Genet. 2018 Dec 08;:

Authors: Smits JJ, Oostrik J, Beynon AJ, Kant SG, de Koning Gans PAM, Rotteveel LJC, Klein Wassink-Ruiter JS, Free RH, Maas SM, van de Kamp J, Merkus P, DOOFNL Consortium, Koole W, Feenstra I, Admiraal RJC, Lanting CP, Schraders M, Yntema HG, Pennings RJE, Kremer H

Abstract
ATP2B2 encodes the PMCA2 Ca2+ pump that plays an important role in maintaining ion homeostasis in hair cells among others by extrusion of Ca2+ from the stereocilia to the endolymph. Several mouse models have been described for this gene; mice heterozygous for loss-of-function defects display a rapidly progressive high-frequency hearing impairment. Up to now ATP2B2 has only been reported as a modifier, or in a digenic mechanism with CDH23 for hearing impairment in humans. Whole exome sequencing in hearing impaired index cases of Dutch and Polish origins revealed five novel heterozygous (predicted to be) loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2. Two variants, c.1963G>T (p.Glu655*) and c.955delG (p.Ala319fs), occurred de novo. Three variants c.397+1G>A (p.?), c.1998C>A (p.Cys666*), and c.2329C>T (p.Arg777*), were identified in families with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern of hearing impairment. After normal newborn hearing screening, a rapidly progressive high-frequency hearing impairment was diagnosed at the age of about 3-6 years. Subjects had no balance complaints and vestibular testing did not yield abnormalities. There was no evidence for retrocochlear pathology or structural inner ear abnormalities. Although a digenic inheritance pattern of hearing impairment has been reported for heterozygous missense variants of ATP2B2 and CDH23, our findings indicate a monogenic cause of hearing impairment in cases with loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2.

PMID: 30535804 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Naunton's Masking Dilemma Revisited.

Related Articles

Naunton's Masking Dilemma Revisited.

Otol Neurotol. 2019 Jan;40(1):e1-e6

Authors: Seneviratne S, McNeill C, Greenberg SL, Kong J

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pure-tone audiometry is essential in diagnosing clinical hearing loss. Masking of the nontest ear is mandatory for determining accurate hearing thresholds in the presence of asymmetrical levels between the two ears and for ascertaining the presence of a conductive hearing loss. Paradoxically, over masking occurs when the intensity of the required masking noise to the contralateral ear is such that it exceeds interaural cranial attenuation by an amount sufficient to mask the test ear. Ralph F Naunton was the first to describe this phenomenon, which has since been known as "Naunton's masking dilemma."
METHODS: A formula was derived mathematically to predict when Naunton's masking dilemma might occur in air and bone conduction. Review of Ralph F Naunton's primary works and related publications was performed.
RESULTS: Our derived mathematical formulae predict when "Naunton's masking dilemma" may occur. During air conduction testing, a masking dilemma may occur when the sum of the air/bone gaps is greater than or equal to twice the interaural attenuation minus 15 dB (Σ ABGNTE+TE ≥ 2 × IA - 15 dB). During bone conduction testing, a masking dilemma may occur when the air-bone gap of the nontest ear is greater than or equal to the interaural attenuation minus 15 dB (ABGNTE ≥ IAAIR - 15 dB).
CONCLUSION: Naunton's masking dilemma imposes a significant limitation to conventional audiometric testing. To the best of our knowledge, we think this is the first time that Naunton's masking dilemma has been represented in a simplified mathematical equation.

PMID: 30531635 [PubMed - in process]

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via IFTTT

[Management of vestibular schwannomas].

Related Articles

[Management of vestibular schwannomas].

Laryngorhinootologie. 2018 Dec;97(12):875-896

Authors: Schulz C, Eßer D, Rosahl S, Baljić I, Kösling S, Plontke SK

Abstract
Vestibular schwannomas are benign neoplasms originating from the Schwann cells of the vestibular vestibular nerve of the vestibulocochlear nerve, and rarely from the pars cochlearis. These are tumors that are in contact with the nerve but do not bind the fibers. Benign neoplasms of the Schwann cells of the auditory and equilibrium nerves can also occur primarily in the inner ear and are referred to as intralabyrinthine schwannomas (ILS). Vestibular schwannomas represent 6-7 % of all intracranial and 90 % of cerebellopontine angle tumors. Bilateral occurrence occurs in < 5 % of cases, and then corresponds to type 2 neurofibromatosis. The first symptom is often a unilateral hearing loss. It may then lead to balance disorders, tinnitus, facial paralysis and other impairments. Diagnosis is audiological, vestibular and imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging currently represents the gold standard. Management chooses between an observational strategy and surgery, depending on tumor size, age, and other factors. The possible access routes offer different advantages and disadvantages; the potential complications include the liquorrhoea. Radiation therapy is possible in special cases, and drug therapies are also being tested. In the rehabilitation of the hearing function, in addition to a CROS or BICROS restoration, the cochlear implant has been used with good success. The impact on quality of life is largely determined by hearing impairment, balance disorders, tinnitus, and possibly headache, which must be considered in patient consultation and long-term care.

PMID: 30536286 [PubMed - in process]

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via IFTTT

De novo and inherited loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2 are associated with rapidly progressive hearing impairment.

Related Articles

De novo and inherited loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2 are associated with rapidly progressive hearing impairment.

Hum Genet. 2018 Dec 08;:

Authors: Smits JJ, Oostrik J, Beynon AJ, Kant SG, de Koning Gans PAM, Rotteveel LJC, Klein Wassink-Ruiter JS, Free RH, Maas SM, van de Kamp J, Merkus P, DOOFNL Consortium, Koole W, Feenstra I, Admiraal RJC, Lanting CP, Schraders M, Yntema HG, Pennings RJE, Kremer H

Abstract
ATP2B2 encodes the PMCA2 Ca2+ pump that plays an important role in maintaining ion homeostasis in hair cells among others by extrusion of Ca2+ from the stereocilia to the endolymph. Several mouse models have been described for this gene; mice heterozygous for loss-of-function defects display a rapidly progressive high-frequency hearing impairment. Up to now ATP2B2 has only been reported as a modifier, or in a digenic mechanism with CDH23 for hearing impairment in humans. Whole exome sequencing in hearing impaired index cases of Dutch and Polish origins revealed five novel heterozygous (predicted to be) loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2. Two variants, c.1963G>T (p.Glu655*) and c.955delG (p.Ala319fs), occurred de novo. Three variants c.397+1G>A (p.?), c.1998C>A (p.Cys666*), and c.2329C>T (p.Arg777*), were identified in families with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern of hearing impairment. After normal newborn hearing screening, a rapidly progressive high-frequency hearing impairment was diagnosed at the age of about 3-6 years. Subjects had no balance complaints and vestibular testing did not yield abnormalities. There was no evidence for retrocochlear pathology or structural inner ear abnormalities. Although a digenic inheritance pattern of hearing impairment has been reported for heterozygous missense variants of ATP2B2 and CDH23, our findings indicate a monogenic cause of hearing impairment in cases with loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2.

PMID: 30535804 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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via IFTTT

Naunton's Masking Dilemma Revisited.

Related Articles

Naunton's Masking Dilemma Revisited.

Otol Neurotol. 2019 Jan;40(1):e1-e6

Authors: Seneviratne S, McNeill C, Greenberg SL, Kong J

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pure-tone audiometry is essential in diagnosing clinical hearing loss. Masking of the nontest ear is mandatory for determining accurate hearing thresholds in the presence of asymmetrical levels between the two ears and for ascertaining the presence of a conductive hearing loss. Paradoxically, over masking occurs when the intensity of the required masking noise to the contralateral ear is such that it exceeds interaural cranial attenuation by an amount sufficient to mask the test ear. Ralph F Naunton was the first to describe this phenomenon, which has since been known as "Naunton's masking dilemma."
METHODS: A formula was derived mathematically to predict when Naunton's masking dilemma might occur in air and bone conduction. Review of Ralph F Naunton's primary works and related publications was performed.
RESULTS: Our derived mathematical formulae predict when "Naunton's masking dilemma" may occur. During air conduction testing, a masking dilemma may occur when the sum of the air/bone gaps is greater than or equal to twice the interaural attenuation minus 15 dB (Σ ABGNTE+TE ≥ 2 × IA - 15 dB). During bone conduction testing, a masking dilemma may occur when the air-bone gap of the nontest ear is greater than or equal to the interaural attenuation minus 15 dB (ABGNTE ≥ IAAIR - 15 dB).
CONCLUSION: Naunton's masking dilemma imposes a significant limitation to conventional audiometric testing. To the best of our knowledge, we think this is the first time that Naunton's masking dilemma has been represented in a simplified mathematical equation.

PMID: 30531635 [PubMed - in process]

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via IFTTT