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Assessing Vowel Centralization in Dysarthria: A Comparison of Methods
Annalise R Fletcher1, Megan J McAuliffe1, Kaitlin L Lansford2
1Department of Communication Disorders and New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain & Behaviour, University of Canterbury, Christchurch.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|January 27, 2017
Summary
Optimizing acoustic-perceptual analysis methods, specifically formant centralization ratio and Bark frequency, significantly strengthens the link between objective speech measures and perceived dysarthria severity.
Area of Science:
- Speech Science
- Linguistics
- Audiology
Background:
- The relationship between acoustic measures of vowel centralization and perceptual ratings of dysarthria severity is inconsistent.
- Variability in findings suggests procedural differences in acoustic-perceptual analysis may influence the strength of this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate different acoustic-perceptual analysis methods.
- To determine if procedural modifications can enhance the association between acoustic measures and perceptual ratings of dysarthria.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-one speakers (17 healthy, 44 with dysarthria) read a passage.
- Acoustic data analyzed using different formant extraction points (midpoint, articulatory) and frequency measures (Hz, Bark).
- Vowel space area and formant centralization ratio calculated; 28 listeners rated speech precision and intelligibility.
Main Results:
- Listener ratings of speech precision best reflected acoustic changes.
- An articulatory-based formant extraction point, Bark frequency, and formant centralization ratio most effectively explained perceptual ratings.
- This combination increased explained variance by 17%–27%.
Conclusions:
- The methodology used in acoustic-perceptual analysis significantly impacts the correlation between acoustic and perceptual measures of articulatory impairment.
- Recommended procedures should aim to maximize this relationship for more reliable dysarthria assessment.
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