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Estimating Palatal and Pharyngeal Muscle Contraction in Hindi Syllable Pronunciation using Computational Modeling.
Madhubari Vathulya1, Subrato Sarkar2, Indra Vir Singh3
1Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Summary
This study quantifies speech muscle contractions in Hindi speakers using dynamic MRI and computational modeling. Findings reveal varying palatal and pharyngeal contractions for different syllables, offering objective speech assessment metrics.
Area of Science:
- Speech science
- Biomedical engineering
- Computational modeling
Background:
- Speech production involves complex coordination of multiple anatomical structures.
- Objective assessment of speech function post-palatoplasty is limited.
- Quantifying muscle activity during speech can provide objective data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an objective method for assessing speech function.
- To quantify palatal and pharyngeal muscle contraction during Hindi syllable utterance.
- To explore the use of computational modeling for speech analysis.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) captured speech data.
- 3D models of palate and pharynx were created using Geomagic software.
- Finite element modeling was employed to analyze muscle contractions.
Main Results:
- Palatal and pharyngeal contractions varied independently for different Hindi syllables.
- Syllable /k/ elicited the highest contraction for both palate and pharynx.
- /h/ and /eː/ syllables showed the lowest pharyngeal wall contraction.
Conclusions:
- Computational modeling successfully quantified speech muscle contractions.
- This method offers an objective approach to speech assessment in Hindi.
- Validated data could aid in evaluating speech deformities and surgical outcomes.
