Articles tagged with Voice
Researchers have developed a system that can capture the information in speech signals similar to how humans perceive speech. The method uses a matching pursuit algorithm and psychoacoustic principles to produce high-quality resynthesized speech signals with natural accents.
Researchers at McGill University create injectable hydrogel that forms stable structure allowing cells to grow and repair injured organs. The material's toughness and porosity make it suitable for heart, muscle, and vocal cord repair.
A survey of 147 medical professionals found that smaller endotracheal tube sizes reduce complications in professional voice users. The team hopes to establish evidence-based practices for managing the airways of these patients, who are particularly vulnerable to damage from intubation.
Research by Colette Feehan suggests that voice actors' unique vocalizations can help speech pathologists better understand the muscles involved in creating words and sounds. This knowledge could lead to alternative pronunciations for individuals with speech difficulties, such as those with lost muscle tone due to a stroke or cancer.
The study found that primate larynges are on average 38% larger than those of carnivorans for a given body length, indicating greater flexibility in evolution. The rate of larynx evolution is also faster in primates, with more variation in larynx size relative to body size.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a skin-attachable vibration sensor for accurate voice recognition. The sensor can quantify voice pressure and recognize speech without ambient noise or sound distortion.
A new study by Jody E. Kreiman investigates how people perceive voice quality and defines a 'normal' voice. The results show that listeners are consistent in their judgments of abnormal voices but disagree on what constitutes a 'normal' voice, highlighting the complexity of voice perception.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology has released an updated guideline for treating hoarseness, recommending earlier evaluation by an otolaryngologist and discouraging the use of unnecessary medications. The guidelines aim to reduce variation in care and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found that skilled voice impersonators can successfully deceive automatic speaker recognition systems by mimicking specific speakers. The study highlights the vulnerability of these systems to human-induced voice modifications, particularly those produced through imitation and disguise.
Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered that vocal cords can be stretched and stiffened to predict an animal's pitch range, revealing evolutionary roots of voice. The study suggests that singers can increase their ranges by stretching their vocal cords or engaging in exercises that affect fiber spacing and cord stiffness.
Scientists at UCLA's Voice Center for Medicine and the Arts studied Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, and Carly Fiorina's speech patterns across various settings. They discovered that despite differing messages, the politicians employed similar voice modulation strategies to convey charisma.
Researchers developed a high-speed MRI technique to visualize laryngeal movement in detail. This breakthrough enables studies on the aging voice and potential interventions like vocal training.
Researchers discovered that male radio performers have faster and more forceful vocal fold closures than non-broadcasters. This may be due to better control of vocal tension while speaking. The study used high-speed videoendoscopy to examine the vocal folds of healthy performers.
The study found that voices similar to one's own convey a sense of community and social belongingness. Key gender differences were identified, with females preferring breathier voices and males preferring shorter average word length. Regional dialects also played a significant role in voice preferences.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have found that beatboxers use the whole vocal tract to produce a range of sounds, spreading the energy among several structures and minimizing wear on any single part. This technique may be protective of the vocal folds and could help singers relieve stress on their vocal cords.
Researchers found that Koshik can mimic five Korean words: 'annyong' (hello), 'anja' (sit down), 'aniya' (no), 'nuo' (lie down), and 'choah' (good). The elephant's language skills may provide insights into the biology of complex vocal learning, crucial for human speech and music.
Researchers have developed improved artificial voice devices that can produce age-appropriate voices for children and women with vocal cord problems. The new technology enhances speech signal analysis by tackling the challenge of identifying glottal excitation signals in higher-pitched voices.
Researchers have found that a white whale named NOC can imitate human speech by modifying its vocal mechanics. The study's findings suggest that NOC had motivation for contact and made an effort to produce speech-like sounds.
Scientists have developed a new material to restore lost flexibility in human vocal cords, which can help alleviate voice loss due to aging, disease, or medical procedures. The material, called polyethylene glycol 30 (PEG30), is flexible and can vibrate like human vocal cords.
Researchers found that the structure of lion and tiger vocal folds, including fat and viscoelastic properties, determines the low-frequency roars. The study challenges previous assumptions about the causes of loud roaring in these big cats.
A University of Michigan study found that interviewers who spoke moderately fast were more successful at convincing people to participate in telephone surveys. The study also discovered that frequent short pauses and a natural speech quality were key factors in success rates.
A team of surgeons at Henry Ford Hospital has successfully removed a rare malignant immature teratoma from an adult's trachea and rebuilt the airway using tissue and bone from the patient's arm. The patient is now able to speak and swallow normally, with only a temporary tracheostomy tube used for breathing assistance.
Speech-language pathology researchers at the University of Missouri are studying Hindustani and classical singing styles to develop a treatment for laryngeal tremors. By understanding the physiology behind voluntary and involuntary pitch fluctuation, they aim to find a cure for this vocal disorder associated with neurological disorders.
Researchers will investigate the role of vortices in normal and abnormal voice production, with a focus on unilateral vocal cord paralysis. The goal is to develop effective treatments that restore vortices and normalize vibrations.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a single round of chemotherapy can identify patients most likely to benefit from preserving their speech. After three years, 78% of T4 study participants were still alive and 58% had an intact larynx.
Researchers Drs. Will Kalkhoff and Stanford W. Gregory Jr. studied nonverbal vocal communication in presidential debates, finding that subtle cues can predict dominance. They noted a 'rope-a-dope' debating style similar to boxing legend Muhammed Ali's technique, where candidates conserve energy until the end of debates.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed Vocal Joystick, a device that uses voice commands to control cursor movement and other screen interactions. The technology has shown promising results in early tests, allowing experienced users to achieve similar levels of control as those using traditional interfaces.
Scientists at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam developed a new type of valve producing its own vocal sound by a small silicone rubber flap acting as an artificial vocal chord. Female patients with weak voices benefit from this prosthesis, regaining a natural female pitch.
A three-year study shows that Botox injections significantly improve the voices and quality of life of patients with spasmodic dysphonia. The treatment produces a powerful and sustained improvement in voice-related quality of life, even after repeated injections.
Researchers are testing CaHA, a calcium phosphate material, to treat vocal fold disorders such as paralysis and atrophy. The study aims to improve upon existing injection materials with better efficacy and longevity.
A speech-language pathologist is presenting a successful program that helps male-to-female transgender clients acquire a more feminine-sounding voice. The one-year intensive therapy focuses on practical skills like speech rate, intonation, and non-verbal communication to improve the client's overall perception as a woman.
A new Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) device has been developed to help patients with paralyzed vocal folds breathe on their own. The device was recently implanted in a Missouri woman, who was able to have her tracheotomy tube removed after 18 months of successful ventilation.