Voice Quality and Auditory Processing in Subjects with and Without Musical Experience

Area of Science:

• Auditory Neuroscience
• Speech Science
• Music Cognition

Background:

• The intricate relationship between voice and auditory processing is a growing area of scientific inquiry.
• Understanding how musical experience influences voice quality and auditory function remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare voice quality and central auditory processing capabilities in individuals with varying musical backgrounds.
• To explore potential correlations between musical training, voice characteristics, and auditory perception.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 120 individuals was categorized into three groups: singers (GS), instrumentalists (GI), and nonmusicians (NM).
• Vocal assessment included perceptual evaluation and the Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS).
• Central auditory processing was evaluated using temporal processing tests (Frequency Pattern Test, Random Gap Detection Test) and speech-in-noise tests (Synthetic Sentence Identification).

Main Results:

• The singers-instrumentalists subgroup (GSI) reported a higher incidence of voice symptoms on the VoiSS.
• Most participants exhibited mild or no voice disorders.
• GSI participants demonstrated superior temporal ordering abilities (FPT), while nonmusicians performed worst.
• Correlations between auditory processing tests, voice quality, and VoiSS scores were negligible.

Conclusions:

• Musical experience, especially combined singing and instrumental training, is associated with enhanced auditory temporal ordering skills.
• While a weak correlation exists between voice quality and auditory processing, musical training appears to be a significant factor in auditory performance.
• Singers-instrumentalists reported more voice symptoms, suggesting a potential need for vocal health awareness in this group.