Acoustic characteristics of voice in different cycles of life: an integrative literature review

Abstract

Purpose: to carry out an integrative literature review about the acoustic characteristics of healthy voice production, from childhood to old age. Methods: a bibliographic survey was conducted on the databases PubMed, SciELO, MEDLINE and LILACS, covering the last 10 years. Nineteen studies were found, meeting the proposed criteria, on acoustic measurements: F0 (fundamental frequency), jitter, shimmer and/or noise measurements, in males and females, with normal voices in their different stages of life. Results: the analysis showed that F0 is the most changing acoustic parameter as people grow up and grow old. Its values present gradual fall from childhood to old age in the female population, whereas among men such decrease lasts until adulthood. Jitter, shimmer and noise remain stable throughout childhood and adulthood, while shimmer and noise measurements increase in old age. In the literature, there is no consensus regarding increase of jitter measurements in the elderly. Conclusion: from childhood to old age, in both genders, vocal changes take place which are reflected, especially by F0. There is a scarcity of information on acoustics related to specific populations with ample age range, using the same methodology. The information in this study may guide future investigations aiming to understand natural changes occurring in the human voice, in addition to guiding in the clinical practice.

Dermatoglyphy and vocal condition of professors

“…Moreover, hoarseness and vocal tract discomfort symptoms are markedly greater in women (15) . We believe this occurs due to physiological and anatomical aspects since most women have a triangular cleft (16) and are predisposed to greater hormonal variation (17,18) .…”

Dermatoglifia e condição vocal de professores universitários

“…Além disso, no gênero feminino, os sintomas de rouquidão e desconforto no trato vocal são expressivamente maiores (15) . Acredita-se que isso acontece por uma questão fisiológica e anatômica, já que a maioria das mulheres apresenta fenda triangular posterior (16) , e está propensa a maiores variações hormonais (17,18) .…”

Efeito imediato da hidratação laríngea de superfície associada à técnica de vibração sonorizada de língua em cantores amadores

“…As medidas acústicas de F0, jitter, shimmer e NHR observadas neste estudo encontram-se dentro da normalidade e assemelham-se a outros estudos com a população brasileira e internacional (26,27) . A medida de CPPs reportada também assemelha-se a outros estudos que utilizaram metodologia similar para a população brasileira (24) e finlandesa (28) .…”