A comparison of two methods of formant frequency estimation for high-pitched voices

This study sought to test the accuracy of two methods of formant frequency estimation: artificial laryngeal stimulation via neck placement and via oral tube insertion. Twenty males between the ages of 18 and 45 performed the following three tasks: (1) four seconds of sustained vowel, (2) two seconds of sustained vowel followed by two seconds of artificial laryngeal stimulation via neck placement while ceasing vocal fold vibration and holding structures of the vocal fold filter in a fixed position, and (3) four seconds of sustained vowel, the last two of which were accompanied by artificial laryngeal stimulation via an oral insertion. These tasks were performed on the vowels/a/ and /i/. Four formant frequencies were measured for each task at second one and second three. These measures were compared across second one and second three, as well as across all three tasks. Group means as well as individual subject analysis were compared.