Vocal Tremor Analysis With the Vocal Demodulator

Abstract

Acoustic analysis of vocal tremor has the potential to make significant quantitative and diagnostic contributions to the study of vocal disorders. This paper presents a new device for analysis of vocal tremor. The Vocal Demodulator produces amplitude- and frequency-demodulated outputs and measures the frequency and level (percent) of low-frequency tremor components in sustained phonation. A standard microphone is used to transduce the voice signal for input to the demodulator. The input fundamental frequency (F _o ) range is 70–1200 Hz, and frequency response of the amplitude and frequency demodulation is 2.5–25 Hz. Five parameters are displayed in real time: F _o , amplitude-modulation frequency, amplitude-modulation level, frequency-modulation frequency, and frequency-modulation level. Validation, calibration, and reliability data from synthesized test signals with modulation, as well as phonation from subjects with vocal tremor, subjects producing vibrato, and subjects with normal voice are presented. Research and clinical applications of this device are suggested.