The acoustic breathiness index (ABI): A multivariate acoustic model for breathiness

Authors Ben Barsties von Latoszek, Youri Maryn, Ellen Gerrits, Marc De Bodt
Published in Journal of Voice
Publication date 2017
Research groups Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication
Type Article

Summary

Objective The evaluation of voice quality is a major component of voice assessment. The aim of the present study was to develop a new multivariate acoustic model for the evaluation of breathiness. Method Concatenated voice samples of continuous speech and the sustained vowel [a:] from 970 subjects with dysphonia and 88 vocally healthy subjects were perceptually judged for breathiness severity. Acoustic analyses were conducted on the same concatenated voice samples after removal of the non-voiced segments of the continuous speech sample. The development of an acoustic model for breathiness was based on stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Concurrent validity, diagnostic accuracy, and cross validation were statistically verified on the basis of the Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient (rs), several estimates of the receiver operating characteristics plus the likelihood ratio, and iterated internal cross correlations. Results Ratings of breathiness from four experts with moderate reliability were used. Stepwise multiple regression analysis yielded a nine-variable acoustic model for the multiparametric measurement of breathiness (Acoustic Breathiness Index [ABI]). A strong correlation was found between ABI and auditory-perceptual rating (rs = 0.840, P = 0.000). The cross correlations confirmed a comparably high degree of association. Additionally, the receiver operating characteristics and likelihood ratio results showed the best diagnostic outcome at a threshold of ABI = 3.44 with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 92.9%. Conclusions This study developed a new acoustic multivariate correlate for the evaluation of breathiness in voice. The ABI model showed valid and robust results and is therefore proposed as a new acoustic index for the evaluation of breathiness.

On this publication contributed

  • Ellen Gerrits | Professor | Research group Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication
    Ellen Gerrits
    • Professor
    • Research group: Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication

Language English
Published in Journal of Voice
Year and volume 31 4
Key words voice assessment, breathiness, acoustic measurement
Page range 511-527

Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication