Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions
Published on: November 25, 2017
Multidimensional Perceptual Structure of Pediatric Dysphonia in Children With Glottal and Supraglottal Vibratory
Yeonggwang Park1, Supraja Anand2, Susan Baker Brehm3,4
1School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Central Florida, Orlando.
Purpose:
Pediatric dysphonia can be categorized by the vibratory source used for voicing: the glottal vibratory source (GVS) and supraglottal vibratory source (SGVS). While voice quality assessment is integral to clinical voice care, there is limited research to support the direct adoption of tools developed for adult voices in the assessment of pediatric voices, particularly given the potential differences in vibratory sources. The study aimed to determine the primary voice quality dimensions in children with GVS and SGVS via multidimensional scaling.
Method:
Sustained /ɑ/ phonations from 15 children with GVS and 15 children with SGVS representing a wide range of dysphonia severity were selected. Fifteen listeners participated in a pairwise comparison task, rating the perceived similarity of voice quality between stimuli pairs. Averaged perceptual distances between stimuli were analyzed using a PROXSCAL model to determine the optimal multidimensional model. To interpret each resulting dimension, auditory-perceptual and objective measures of voice quality were obtained.
Results:
The dominant perceptual dimension in both GVS and SGVS voices was related to signal periodicity, which was associated with perceived hoarseness and overall dysphonia severity. Other perceptual dimensions obtained were strongly correlated with breathiness, roughness, and strain, commonly assessed in adult dysphonia. Roughness and strain strongly characterized the perceptual dimension distinguishing the two vibratory sources.
Conclusion:
The perceptual organization of pediatric dysphonia shares similarities with adults, and perceptual features related to roughness and strain characterize SGVSs.
Related Concept Videos
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,...
01:21Perceiving Loudness, Pitch, and Location
Place theory, or place coding, suggests that different pitches are heard because various sound waves activate specific locations along the cochlea's basilar membrane. The brain determines the pitch of a sound by...
01:29Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion
Percussion in Respiratory Assessment
Percussion evaluates underlying tissue composition with audible and tactile vibrations,...
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:
01:01Perception of Sound Waves
The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency and the pressure amplitude of the source. Two sounds of the same...
01:17Auditory Perception