Variability of voice fundamental frequency in elderly female speakers

Three groups of women, of mean age 21, 72, and 84 yr. (ns = 34, 17, 17), were tape-recorded while describing the "Cookie Thief" picture of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Test. Voice fundamental frequency (fo) was measured for a 30-sec. sample from the middle of their descriptions. Analysis showed that the two elderly groups' mean fo was significantly lower than the younger females', but no differences between means were significant for the older groups. Similar findings were obtained for variability of performance. Also, the older groups were more restricted in their vocal maneuvering below their average fo. Compared to past findings showing greater fo variability during reading, the current data suggest that the magnitude of variability of fo in elderly women is dependent upon both the vocal parameters measured and the method used to obtain the data.