Samantha Jhingree1,2, Yushan Xie1, Clare Bocklage1,2, Natalie Giduz3, Kevin Moss2, David Zajac4, Laura Anne Jacox1,2. 1. Orthodontics, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 201 Brauer Hall, CB 7450, 25799-7450, USA. 2. Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, CB #7455, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. 3. UNC School of Social Work, Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, 325 Pittsboro Street, CB #3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550 USA. 4. Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Craniofacial Center, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB#270, Chapel Hill, NC 25799-7450, USA.
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the relationship between judged speech sound distortions and spectral moment metrics in speakers with Class III malocclusion. Methods: A quantitative online survey was distributed to 30 speech specialists (clinicians and/or students) and 100 lay listeners to judge the clarity of the sounds /s/, /ʃ/, /t/ and /k/ using a visual analog scale (VAS) from recordings of 11 Class III (underbite) Dentofacial Disharmony (DFD) patients and eight Class I controls. Patients and controls were grouped according to high, moderate, and low /s/-/ʃ/ first spectral moment differences. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the data. Results: VAS scale ratings increased as a function of decreasing spectral contrast for both groups of listeners. VAS ratings of speech specialists were more homogenous than lay listeners, and speech specialists rated distortions as less severe than lay listeners. Conclusions: Recordings of Class III DFD patients with low /s/-/ʃ/ first spectral moment differences were scored by listeners as having increased VAS scale ratings, indicative of more significant perceived speech-sound distortions. Spectral moment analysis appears to be a promising approach for characterizing speech of DFD patients and other craniofacial disorders.
Purpose: This study examined the relationship between judged speech sound distortions and spectral moment metrics in speakers with Class III malocclusion. Methods: A quantitative online survey was distributed to 30 speech specialists (clinicians and/or students) and 100 lay listeners to judge the clarity of the sounds /s/, /ʃ/, /t/ and /k/ using a visual analog scale (VAS) from recordings of 11 Class III (underbite) Dentofacial Disharmony (DFD) patients and eight Class I controls. Patients and controls were grouped according to high, moderate, and low /s/-/ʃ/ first spectral moment differences. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the data. Results: VAS scale ratings increased as a function of decreasing spectral contrast for both groups of listeners. VAS ratings of speech specialists were more homogenous than lay listeners, and speech specialists rated distortions as less severe than lay listeners. Conclusions: Recordings of Class III DFD patients with low /s/-/ʃ/ first spectral moment differences were scored by listeners as having increased VAS scale ratings, indicative of more significant perceived speech-sound distortions. Spectral moment analysis appears to be a promising approach for characterizing speech of DFD patients and other craniofacial disorders.
Authors: Tanya L Eadie; Mara Kapsner; Juli Rosenzweig; Patricia Waugh; Allen Hillel; Albert Merati Journal: J Voice Date: 2009-09-17 Impact factor: 2.009