Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Impact of Emotional Prosodies on Voice Recognition and Perception
Published on: August 9, 2024
Breathy Voice as a Compensatory Strategy for Essential Vocal Tremor: A Single Case Experiment Across Participants
Nayanika Ghosh1, Elizabeth Eidson1, Elaina Derrick1
1Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Moody College of Communication, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
Objective:
Essential vocal tremor (EVT) manifests as nearly rhythmic modulations of fundamental frequency (fo) and intensity and causes a shaky voice. Although research on behavioral therapy for EVT is limited, previous studies have shown that a breathy voice reduces the perception of simulated EVT and might be an effective compensatory strategy. The current study aimed to measure the acoustical and perceptual effects of a breathy voice strategy in speakers with EVT.
Study Design:
A single-case experimental design (SCED) was used to investigate acoustical effects, and a pair comparison listening task was used to investigate perceptual effects.
Methods:
Three participants with EVT matched five different levels of breathiness produced by a computational model. Acoustical analyses of the rate and extent of fo and intensity modulation were performed to estimate EVT severity for baseline and treatment trials. Statistical analyses were completed using Tau-U. Twenty novice listeners participated in the perceptual study to determine if treatment trials sounded less "shaky" than baseline trials. Statistical analyses were completed using one sample t tests.
Results:
The acoustical effects were variable across different levels of breathiness for all three participants. All participants were able to adjust their levels of breathiness based on auditory models and verbal cues but did not achieve the target levels of breathiness. Listeners did not perceive the breathy trials to be less "shaky" than baseline trials for any level of breathiness.
Conclusion:
The breathy voice strategy had variable effects on the acoustical measures of EVT, supporting the use of a single-case experimental design to investigate the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for EVT. Listeners perceived breathy trials to be "shakier" than baseline trials, which was inconsistent with our hypothesis and previous studies of EVT. Future research should evaluate the use of a breathy voice in speakers with confirmed laryngeal tremor, optimize cueing for breathiness, and provide more opportunities to practice the breathy strategy.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Assessment 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:
01:21Larynx
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,...
01:31Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
01:28Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
01:30Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
01:25Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation