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Effect of Voice Onset Type on Vocal Attack Time
Ben C Watson1, R J Baken1, Rick M Roark2
1Department of Speech-Language Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of the Voice Foundation
|March 22, 2015
Summary
Vocal attack time (VAT) differs based on voice onset type. Aspirated onsets, like in "hallways," show longer VAT than unaspirated onsets, indicating VAT
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Acoustic Phonetics
- Voice Production
Background:
- Vocal attack time (VAT) measures the lag between sound pressure (SP) and electroglottographic (EGG) signals during voice initiation.
- Voice initiation characteristics are crucial for vocal hygiene, efficiency, and quality.
- Vocal onsets are typically classified as hard, simultaneous, or breathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different voice onset types on VAT values in healthy speakers.
- To determine if VAT can serve as an objective clinical measure for vocal onset classification.
Main Methods:
- Recorded SP and EGG signals from 112 participants (55 female, 57 male).
- Participants produced sustained /ɑ/, the word "always" (unaspirated onsets), and the word "hallways" (aspirated onset).
- Analyzed VAT differences across the three vocal onset tasks.
Main Results:
- A significant effect of onset type on VAT was observed.
- Mean VAT was significantly greater for the aspirated onset task ("hallways") compared to unaspirated tasks ("sustained /ɑ/" and "always").
- No significant VAT difference was found between the sustained /ɑ/ and "always" tasks.
Conclusions:
- VAT is sensitive to the type of vocal onset.
- VAT has potential as a quantitative clinical tool for assessing vocal onset characteristics.
- Findings support the use of VAT in evaluating vocal production and potential disorders.
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