Computational modelling of effect of tonsillectomy on voice production

Článek recenzovaný mimo WoS a Scopus

en

The aim of this study is to develop mathematical 3D finite element (FE) models for numerical simulations of vibroacoustic properties of the human vocal tract after a tonsillectomy. Similar experimental studies are not easily realisable on living subjects. The FE models of the acoustic spaces corresponding to the human vocal tract for the Czech vowels /A/ and /I/ and the acoustic space around the human head were used in numerical simulations of phonation. The acoustic resonant characteristics of the FE models were studied using modal and transient analyses (excitation by a short pulse). Calculated results show that a tonsillectomy causes a frequency shift of the 3rd (~180Hz) and 4th (~120Hz) formants down to the lower frequencies for the vowel /A/ and similarly for the 2nd, 4th and 5th formants for the vowel /I/ (all ~100Hz). Similar effects and results can be found in experimental studies in literature. The formant changes are dependent on the size of additional acoustic spaces that occur after a tonsillectomy. The verification of the model was performed on the recordings of patients before and after the tonsillectomy operation. Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP Advanced, KAY Elemetrics) was used for the comparing of the formant center frequencies. Very small differences in the results of subjective evaluation of the voice before and after tonsillectomy were found.

biomechanics of voice; formant frequencies; finite element modeling of voice, tonsillectomy

2006-09-05

Taylor & Francis

1401-5439

Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology

31

3

117–125

9