Speaking fundamental frequency characteristics of nonsmoking female adults.

There were 111 female adult subjects 20--82 years of age who were nonsmokers. Measures of fundamental frequency and standard deviation were obtained. The higher speaking fundamental frequencies in this study relative to previous studies using female adults were attributed to control of the smoking variable. Results indicated relative stability of speaking fundamental frequency from postadolescence through early adulthood. A decrease in speaking fundamental frequency in the 50--59 age group, which was maintained in the two older age groups, was attributed to changes in the vocal fold mass with completion of the menopause. An increase in intrasubject variability of fundamental frequency in postmenopausal adults was interpreted as indicating decreased laryngeal control over fundamental frequency.