Frequency variability in the aged voice

Fundamental frequency variations were examined in readings of the fourth and fifth sentences of the "Rainbow Passage" and in the sustained vowel /a/ produced by 20 young adults and 20 older adults. The Tektronix Visipitch provided the fundamental frequency contour (frequency variations in continuous reading) and Honeywell Visicorder determined frequency perturbation in the sustained vowel. Results showed that older speakers produced lower pitches, larger intonational ranges, and greater numbers of inflections in reading than did younger speakers. The maximum change in inflection produced by older adults was significantly greater than that of young adults. In addition, frequency perturbation found in the sustained vowel production of older speakers was significantly greater than that of younger speakers. Information concerning the perceived pitch characteristics of the voices was also obtained. Implications of these findings for the effects of aging on voice as well as diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction were discussed.