Comparison of different voice samples for perceptual analysis

Choice of voice sample material can influence perceptual judgments by a jur y. The twofold purpose of this study was first to validate the pertinence o f a sustained vowel for perceptual voice analysis in French speakers and se cond to test the hypothesis that use of only the stabilized portion of the vowel would lead to underestimation of dysphonia. Voice samples were record ed in 60 dysphonic patients and 20 normal controls. Three different sample materials were obtained for each subject, i.e. connected speech, a sustaine d vowel including both the initial and stable portion (complete sustained v owel), and a sustained vowel including only the stable portion (stabilized sustained vowel). The jury was composed of 7 experienced listeners. Jury co nsistency was measured as a percentage of agreeing judgments for the same s ubject. No difference in consistency was observed using the three sample ma terials. Judgments on stabilized sustained vowels were confirmed as less se vere than judgments on connected speech. Judgments on complete sustained vo wels were comparable to judgments on connected speech.