Whispering by Individuals Using Tracheoesophageal Speech

Publication date: Available online 17 May 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Jeff Searl
ObjectivesThis study compared whispering attempts by adults using tracheoesophageal (TE) speech with those by adults with a larynx. Comparisons were based on listener judgments, visual-perceptual assessment of spectrograms, and measures of the acoustic signal.Study DesignThis was a prospective, cross-sectional study.MethodsSeventeen TE and 10 laryngeal speakers produced sentences in a whisper and in their spoken voice. Listeners judged sentences as whispered or spoken. Judges signal-typed the spectrograms based on presence-absence of a “voicing bar.” Speaking rate, articulation rate, percent pause, and dB sound pressure level were measured.ResultsTwenty-nine percent of TE speakers were perceived to be whispering on whisper attempts; most others were perceived to be using spoken voice while attempting to whisper. Spectrograms of TE whispering were most often categorized as “mostly voiced.” Speaking and articulation rates were slower for TE speakers. There was a significantly greater reduction in speaking rate from spoken to whisper for the TE group. Percent pause did not differ significantly between groups and speaking mode. TE speakers had a significantly smaller difference in dB sound pressure level between spoken and whisper modes.ConclusionsSome individuals using TE speech can whisper based on auditory-perceptual judgment, but most were perceived to be speaking during these attempts. The fact that some TE participants could whisper indicates the behavior is possible and might be considered a therapeutic target if it is of importance to an individual. The percentage of TE speakers who can learn to whisper, and the optimal training approach, are yet to be determined.



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