Some aspects of fundamental frequency control by esophageal speakers

The broad objective of the present project was to assess the degree to which esophageal speakers are able to control voice fundamental frequency. Three male esophageal speakers and four age-matched normal speakers were used in a vocal pitch matching task to elicit fo levels. Average differences in fundamental frequency between the individual targets and productions were comparable for esophageal and normal talkers. The frequency variation associated with pitch matching by esophageal speakers was 1.5 to 8 times greater than that by normal talkers. The results were interpreted to support (I) the hypothesis that esophageal speakers were less proficient in controlling the steady-state attributes of their voicing source and vocal output, and (2) the view that esophageal speakers exhibit reduced intentional control over voice fundamental frequency.