Abstract
The effects of age on speech production in a non-pathological system: A case study of 48 years
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol.130(4_Supplement), pp.2441-2441
10/01/2011
DOI: 10.1121/1.3654793
Abstract
The current study examines 36 recordings (mean: 30 min) of a male speaker, spanning the years 1958 to 2007. These recordings provide a rare opportunity to track a single individual's age-related voice and speech mechanism changes (48–98 y/o). Aging effects became noticeable between the ages of 68–74, indicating a fundamental change in the body's maintenance of the speech mechanism, implying the likely onset of other aging symptoms such as swallowing problems. Voice sF0, which usually begins to drop during puberty, continued to decrease for this individual until 70 y/o; from 70 to 98 y/o, average vocal F0 then increased from 140 to 160 Hz. Rate of speech (syll/min) began to decrease precipitately at 78 y/o (175 to 165 per/min.), while length of speech breathing reduced from 70 y/o (35 to 25 phonemes per breath group). The results of this case study can be used as a baseline for future studies. The aging of the voice and speech mechanism affects breathing, swallowing, and communication. The world's 50+ population is the fastest growing segment, affecting society by its sheer number as well as by historically high life spans. Health-care practitioners must understand and accommodate the needs of this population.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The effects of age on speech production in a non-pathological system: A case study of 48 years
- Creators
- Eric J. Hunter - University of UtahWesley R. BrownPatrick Pead - University of UtahMegan Engar - University of Utah
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol.130(4_Supplement), pp.2441-2441
- DOI
- 10.1121/1.3654793
- ISSN
- 0001-4966
- eISSN
- 1520-8524
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/2011
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Record Identifier
- 9984447843502771
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