Full text
| |
| Author(s): |
Ana Cristina de Castro Coelho
Total Authors: 1
|
| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | Bauru. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB) |
| Defense date: | 2011-06-29 |
| Examining board members: |
Maria Cecilia Bevilacqua;
Zuleica Antonia de Camargo;
Adriane Lima Mortari Moret
|
| Advisor: | Maria Cecilia Bevilacqua |
| Abstract | |
The cochlear implant has the pupose of providing hearing perception for individuals with severe and profound hearing loss. The implants use result on optimization of development of language, speech and voice production of its users. This device is one of the most promissing and effective technologies to remedy hearing loss, and its results depend highly on the speech coding strategy selected in the speech processor. The pupose of this study was to compare perceptual and acoustic characteristics of the voices of children who use the Advanced Combination Encoder (ACE) or Fine Structure Processing (FSP) speech coding strategies, and to investigate whether these characteristics differ from children with normal hearing. Children between 3 and 5 years and 11 months of age participated. Acoustic analysis of the sustained vowel /a/ was performed using the Multi Dimentional Voice Program. Analysis of sequential speech and spontaneous speech were performed using the Real Time Pitch. Perceptual analysis of these speech samples were performed using visual-analogic scales of pre-selected parameters. In comparison with the users of the ACE strategy, the users of the FSP strategy presented greater value of fundamental frequency (F0) for the sustained vowel (p=0,004), greater standard deviation of the F0 for the sustained vowel (p=0,008), greater amplitude variation coheficient, also for the sustaned vowel (p= 0,019), and greater pitch deviation for the spontaneous speech (p=0,011). In relation to the control group, the users of the FSP strategy presented, for the sustained vowel, greater F0 value (p=0,012), greater standard deviation of the F0 (p=0,000), greater frequency variation coheficient (p=0,039), grater amplitude variation coheficient (p= 0,039), greater ressonance deviation (p=0,027), greater instability (p=0,001) and greater loudness deviation (p=0,029). They also presented, for the sequential speech, greater F0 average (p=0,002), greater maximum frequency (p=0,009), greater overall severity of the voice (p=0,003) and greater strain (p=0,001). For the spontaneous speech, they presented greater overall severity (p=0,001), greater strain (p=0,012), greater pitch deviation (0,000) and greater ressonance deviation (p=0,010). In comparison the users of the FSP strategy, the users of the ACE strategy presented greater value of the Soft Phonation Index (SPI) for the sustained vowel (p=0,013). In relation to the control group, the users of the ACE strategy presented greater instability for the sustained vowel (p=0,001), greater frequency range in Hertz (p=0,004) and in semitones (p=0,048) for the sequential speech, greater maximum frequency (p=0,011) also for the sequential speech, greater overall severity for the spontaneous speech (p=0,009) and greater ressonance deviation for the spontaneous speech. (p=0,021). The study concluded that the users of the FSP strategy presented more high pitched and unstable voices than the users of the ACE strategy, who presented softer phonation. In relation to the control group, the users of the ACE strategy presented greater value of overall severity, greater ressonance deviation and greater frequency range. The users of the FSP strategy presented greater value of overall severity, more high pitched voices, greater ressonance deviation, greater vocal strain e and greater frequency range. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 08/07948-1 - Efect of different speech processors coding strategies on the voice of children with choclear implants |
| Grantee: | Ana Cristina de Castro Coelho |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |