Acoustic parameters of voice in typically developing children ages 4-19 years.

OBJECTIVES

Report data on acoustic measures of voice in sustained vowels produced by typically developing children, aged 4-19 years, to add to the cross-sectional reference values in a pediatric database.

METHODS

Recordings of sustained vowel/ɑ/phonation were obtained from 158 children (80 males, 78 females) aged 4-19 years who were judged to be typically developing with respect to speech and voice. Acoustic analyses were performed with the Multidimensional Voice Program (MDVP™) and the Analysis of Dysphonia in Speech and Voice (ADSV™), both from Pentax Medical.

RESULTS

Values from both MDVP and ADSV are reported for children in the following age cohorts: 4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-12 years, 13-15 years, and 16-19 years.

CONCLUSION

The data in this study complement previously published data and contribute to a pediatric reference database useful for research and for clinical practice related to children's voice. Acoustic parameters most sensitive to age and sex are identified.