Acoustic parameters of voice in typically developing children ages 4-19 years
Raymond D Kent1, Julie T Eichhorn1, Houri K Vorperian1
1Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
Objectives:
Report data on acoustic measures of voice in sustained vowels produced by typically developing children, aged 4-19 years, to add to the cross-sectional reference values in a pediatric database.
Methods:
Recordings of sustained vowel/ɑ/phonation were obtained from 158 children (80 males, 78 females) aged 4-19 years who were judged to be typically developing with respect to speech and voice. Acoustic analyses were performed with the Multidimensional Voice Program (MDVP™) and the Analysis of Dysphonia in Speech and Voice (ADSV™), both from Pentax Medical.
Results:
Values from both MDVP and ADSV are reported for children in the following age cohorts: 4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-12 years, 13-15 years, and 16-19 years.
Conclusion:
The data in this study complement previously published data and contribute to a pediatric reference database useful for research and for clinical practice related to children's voice. Acoustic parameters most sensitive to age and sex are identified.
Related Concept Videos
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Language Development
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
Perception of Sound Waves
The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency and the pressure amplitude of the source. Two sounds of the same...
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion
Percussion in Respiratory Assessment
Percussion evaluates underlying tissue composition with audible and tactile vibrations,...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:


