Fundamental-Frequency Measures and Ratings of the Speech of Patients with Cancer of the Vocal Folds

Speech samples of five patients with laryngeal cancer involving the vocal folds and five matched normal speakers were analyzed with respect to: (1) distribution of fundamental frequency; (2) perturbations in successive glottal periods; (3) maximum rate of change of fundamental frequency; and (4) perturbations in fundamental frequency occurring during the production of specific consonants (vocal-tract constrictions). The pathological speakers exhibited a more restricted distribution of fundamental frequency than the normal speakers. However, the other measures did not appear to differentiate the two groups of speakers. The results of listening tests, in which the same speech samples were rated with respect to hoarseness, harshness, and breathiness, are also discussed.