High-speed imaging of the voicing source in laryngectomees during production of voiced-voiceless distinctions for stop consonants

Abstract

This study presents results from high-speed imaging recordings of the voice source, that is the pharyngo-esophageal segment, in four laryngectomized men. The subjects were asked to produce VCV-syllables with voiced and voiceless stop consonants during simultaneous high-speed imaging recordings and audio recordings. A general and detailed visuo-perceptual analysis of the shape and vibratory pattern in the pharyngo-esophageal (PE-) segment was made, as well as acoustical measurements of voice onset time (VOT) and closure duration for each syllable. The syllables were also audio-perceptually evaluated by five expert listeners. Results show that the subjects had a high overall intelligibility as judged by the listeners. All four subjects were able to make opening gestures in the PE-segment while producing voiceless stop consonants. In cases where misperceptions were predominant, the acoustical analysis with spectrograms and the detailed analysis of the vibration in the PE-segment gave information about probable causes of the mishearings.

The pharyngoesophageal segment in laryngectomees—videoradiographic, acoustic, and voice quality perceptual data

“…On the other hand, a too large segment with abundant mucosa may cause a dyssynchronous mucosal wave, resulting in a rough voice quality. This has been found in earlier studies using nasofiberscopy in connection with a video camera (5,6) or with a high-speed camera (8).…”

“…In our experience it is quite difficult to evaluate the vibratory pattern in the esophageal voice source with stroboscopic light, since most laryngectomees have aperiodic vibrations in their PE segment, thus leading to a nontriggering of the stroboscope. However, if the nasofiberscope is connected to a high-speed camera, producing a high number of pictures per second, analyses of periodic as well as aperiodic vibrations can be made (8). Another way of investigating the PE segment is by radiography by which information about anatomy and morphology of the PE segment and the surrounding tissues in the pharynx and esophagus is obtained (9Á11).…”

Quality of ‘glottal’ stops in tracheoesophageal speakers

“…Hammarberg and Nord (1995) found that not all TE speakers had sufficient control over the neoglottis to produce the pre-phonatory delay necessary for voiceless stops. On the other hand, Lü ndstrom and Hammarberg (2004) used high-speed imaging to investigate speech in four TE speakers and found that all four speakers were able to make opening gestures in the neoglottis while producing voiceless stops. Jongmans et al (2006) used videokymography to illustrate the difference between two speakers when producing the sequence 'patakabadaga'.…”

“…One feature known to affect intelligibility is the voiced-voiceless contrast such as /b/ vs /p/, /d/ vs /t/, /v/ vs /f/, as well as production of the /h/ (Doyle, Danhauer, and Reed, 1988;Miralles and Cervera, 1995;Polak and Roeleven, 1999;Boon-Kamma, 2001;Searl Carpenter, and Banta, 2001;Van As, 2001;Lundströ m and Hammarberg, 2004). It is thought that the closure and tonicity, combined with the amount of speakers' control over the neoglottis, have consequences for the production of the voiced-voiceless contrast.…”

The Pharyngoesophageal Segment After Total Laryngectomy

“…In E speech, only a small volume of air is used since the upper part of the esophagus serves as an air reservoir. 2 A feature shared by TE and E speech is the voice source: the neoglottis or pharyngoesophageal segment (PES), which mainly consists of the cricopharyngeal muscle, closely associated with the proximal esophagus, the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, and its lining mucosa. 3…”