The Impact of Glottal Configuration on Speech Breathing.
Elizabeth S Heller Murray, Carolyn M Michener, Laura Enflo and 2 others
PMID 28838793WHAT IT FOUND
When twelve healthy adults produced a voice similar to a breathy voice, they used larger speech breaths than in their typical voice, started at higher lung volumes, ended lower, and took more breaths.
Key findings
01In the phase where participants produced a voice similar to a breathy voice, average total lung volume used per speech breath was 0.84 liters, compared with 0.54 liters at baseline and 0.55 liters at return.
02In that phase, average speech initiation was 0.54 liters above the resting level and average speech termination was 0.32 liters below it.
03In that phase, participants took an average of 30.4 breaths, compared with 25.5 breaths at baseline and 26.3 breaths at return.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study included only twelve healthy adults, so it does not show what happens in people with voice disorders. Participants produced a breathy-like voice on purpose for one session, so the changes may not reflect long-term voice problems. The task was done in a reclined chair, which can affect rib cage and abdomen movement. Reading rate was controlled, so the number of breaths may not match natural conversation. Musical experience was not tested statistically because the groups were small and uneven.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this proves a breathy voice causes disordered breathing or that breathing therapy will improve voice. The study tested twelve healthy adults producing a volitional breathy-like voice in one session, and it did not include people with voice disorders.