RELATIONSHIP OF SELECTED ACOUSTIC VARIABLES TO JUDGMENTS OF ESOPHAGEAL SPEECH

The relationship between selected acoustic attributes of esophageal speech and listener judgments of laryngectomized speakers was investigated. The twenty-two laryngectomes in the study were filmed and recorded reading the first paragraph of the Rainbow Passage and these films were judged by sixty judges. Frequency, intensity and rate analyses were performed. Relationships between the acoustic variables and listener judgments were investigated. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) Mean vocal fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency variation and degree of wave-to-wave consistency are not significantly related to speech proficiency. (2) Vocal sound pressure level and sound pressure variation are not related to esophageal speech proficiency and (3) Speaking rate is related to speech proficiency. Better speakers speak at a significantly faster rate. © 1969.