Acustic and psychosocial characteristics of women with high pitch voice

Abstract

The high pitch voice in women is being poorly studied. The objective of this research is to establish a vocal profile of women with high pitch voices and determine the psychosocial discomfort that this symptom can trigger by comparing it with women with a voice with average fundamental frequency. Through a case-control design, a sample of 12 women with a fundamental frequency over 250 Hz was studied and compared with 24 women of fundamental frequency ranges within the norm (210-250 Hz.). In addition, in order to assess psychosocial discomforts, an evaluation survey (PEMUV) was applied. Significant differences were found between both groups in the fundamental frequency parameter in vowel / a / (p = 0.002), fundamental frequency in automatic language (p = 0.003), fundamental frequency in spontaneous language (p = 0.002), jitter (p = 0.05) and shimmer (0.00). In addition, in the analysis of the survey, there were significant differences in 12 out of 14 questions of this instrument. Finally, the answers to the open question were coded, evidencing family and work alterations, frustration and age confusion due to the high pitch. The present investigation managed to establish a profile of women with high pitch. According to the results obtained, women with high fundamental frequency present negative evaluation of the voice, as well as, emotional and social discomfort.