DURATION AND FREQUENCY-CHARACTERISTICS OF SPEECH AND VOICE FOLLOWING SUPRACRICOID PARTIAL LARYNGECTOMY

Selected characteristics were compared in the speech and voice of 28 p atients treated with a supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) and of 14 normal adult laryngeal (NAL) speakers. Tape-recorded speech sample s were measured for durational features with a stopwatch. Frequency fe atures were analyzed with the Computerised Speech Lab and a multidimen sional voice program. The SCPL speech proved comparable to NAL speech in average fundamental frequency. The SCPL speech and voice were stati stically less efficient than NAL speech in fundamental frequency range , jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonics ratio, maximum phonation time, s peech rate, and phrase grouping. The completion of an arytenoid cartil age resection did not statistically modify the duration and frequency features of SCPL speakers. Among SCPL speakers 1) the average fundamen tal frequency was statistically higher (p =.02) in patients who underw ent a cricohyoidoepiglottopexy when compared to patients who underwent a cricohyoidopexy, 2) the maximum phonation time was statistically re lated to the patient's age (p =.002), and 3) the jitter and shimmer va lues were statistically related (p =.01 and (p =.005) to the time elap sed since SCPL completion. Explanations and implications of these find ings are discussed.