[An electroglottographical analysis of certain voice parameters: normative indications]

A comprehensive voice evaluation comprises more than just the evaluation of perceptual and organic aspects. Objective voice analysis should supplement the diagnostic battery. In order to obtain normative indications for the Speech Research Laboratory at the University of Pretoria, 25 men and 25 women ranging in age from 8 to 80 years and with perceptually normal voices were tested with regard to fundamental frequency, cycle to cycle frequency fluctuation (jitter), cycle to cycle amplitude fluctuation (shimmer) and harmonic/noise ratio. Results indicate that these parameters are sensitive to changes in voice production caused by ageing, changes in loudness and the production of different vowels. The implications of these results for research and clinical practice are discussed.