# Voice Source and Airway Interation in Normal and Hyperfunctional Speech

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2021 · $517,413

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 The severity of voice disorders is often described in terms of roughness in the laryngeal sound source.
Much research has been undertaken to describe and quantify this roughness with perceptual, acoustic, and
visual imaging methodologies. While these approaches provide a useful description of the final outcome of a
disordered system, they say little about the internal system interactions that lead to this outcome. Self-
sustained vocal fold vibration in an airway is an example of a highly interactive (nonlinear) process that has the
ability to self-organize. If interaction is strong enough, with energy flowing bi-directionally between
components, a structurally disorganized system can become functionally organized. Two asymmetric vocal
folds with independent and unrelated natural vibration patterns can synchronize their combined motions as
long as energy is allowed to flow between them. Thus, synchronization in coupled oscillators has become an
important part of the physics and biology of self-organization. New opportunities will open up for clinicians who
re-structure or re-program an impaired vocal system.
 The first aim is designed to improve the computational fluid dynamics of the voice simulator VoxInSilico.
Critical shapes of an asymmetrical 3D glottis (airspace between the vocal folds) will be examined that include a
variety of contact patterns on the medial surfaces of the vocal folds. The critical shapes will then define the
airflow channels, for which isobar contour lines will be derived. To maintain both speed and fidelity of
computation, analytical approximations will be developed for the isobars so that interpolations can be made
between time steps in a glottal cycle during later time-dependent simulations. Further validation of the isobar
contours will be obtained with three-dimensional computer assisted design (CAD) of physical models of the
glottal shapes. Pressure taps will be placed so that gradients of pressure can be determined in coronal and
horizontal planes.
 The second aim is to explore synchronization for asymmetric vocal folds with modified airway structures
above the vocal folds. The clinical condition known as hyper-function will be addressed. The laryngeal and
pharyngeal regions of the vocal tract will be systematically widened and narrowed for decreased and increased
source-filter interaction. Vocal efficiency and periodicity measures will be compared to non-interactive baseline
cases.
 The remaining two aims address source-filter interaction in connected speech, where both prosodics
and articulation vary continuously. Contours for sound pressure level and fundamental frequency (SPL- fo), as
well as contours in vowel space (F1 - F2), will be obtained from adult speakers using limited, normal, and
heightened speech gestures. Synchronization between harmonics nfo and formants F1 and F2 will be
determined. Vocal efficiency and periodicity will be compared.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10218136
- **Project number:** 5R01DC017998-03
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** INGO R TITZE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $517,413
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10218136

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10218136, Voice Source and Airway Interation in Normal and Hyperfunctional Speech (5R01DC017998-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10218136. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*