The effect of gas density on glottal vibration and exit jet particle velocity

Although theoretical studies include a term for gas density in their mathematical descriptions of glottal aerodynamics, the effect of gas density on glottal vibration has not been examined empirically. In this study, an in vivo canine model was used to evaluate the effect of gas density on glottal vibration by comparing phonation with air and helium. With gas flow and nerve stimulation held constant, phonation with helium resulted in an increased exit jet particle velocity for helium (45 m/s) compared to air (34 m/s). However, the measured increase in helium velocity was less than predicted by a proportional relationship between transglottal pressure and dynamic pressure. This difference could be due to a change in the constant of proportionality or in the dynamic pressure loss coefficient associated with the use of helium.