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Segmental level analysis of laryngeal function in persons with motor speech disorders
1National Center for Neurogenic Communication Disorders, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., USA. bunton@u.arizona.edu
Summary
Motor speech disorders disrupt laryngeal function, impacting voicing contrasts and speech clarity. Acoustic analysis revealed mismatches between expected and actual laryngeal behaviors, suggesting age-related changes may worsen these speech deficits.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Speech Science
- Audiology
Background:
- Motor speech disorders frequently involve impaired laryngeal behavior affecting speech production.
- Deficits in voicing contrasts significantly diminish speech intelligibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate two common laryngeal contrasts: word-initial voiced-voiceless and glottal-null.
- To compare acoustic measures with established expectations and listener perception.
Main Methods:
- Utilized acoustic analysis techniques to examine laryngeal contrasts.
- Compared acoustic findings against literature-based expectations and perceptual judgments.
Main Results:
- Observed a discrepancy between acoustic data and both expected contrast patterns and listener perception.
- Identified potential links between aging, laryngeal segmental function, and motor speech disorders.
Conclusions:
- Acoustic measures of laryngeal contrasts do not consistently align with established norms or perceptual outcomes.
- Aging may exacerbate laryngeal functional changes, particularly in individuals with motor speech disorders.