A Comparison of Auditory-Perceptual Features of Voice Quality in Individuals With and Without Williams Syndrome

• Main Author: Albrecht, Sara Kathryn
• Other Authors: Christopher R Watts
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: Texas Christian University 2009
• Subjects: College of Health and Human Sciences
• Online Access: http://etd.tcu.edu/etdfiles/available/etd-05012009-122745/

The goal of this research study was to obtain empirical evidence for the role of elastic fibers in the physiology of voice production, using perceptual measures of voice quality. To achieve this goal, the researcher studied individuals with Williams syndrome (WS), a genetic condition which has the hallmark characteristic of heterozygous deletions to the elastin (ELN) gene on chromosome 7. Due to alterations in normal functioning of the ELN gene, which programs elastogenesis in the connective tissues of the body, it is believed that this population can help determine how altered vocal fold histological structure, characterized by reduced and/or disorganized elastic fibers, influences vocal fold movement and the resulting sound production (voice quality). The specific aim of this project was to characterize the perceptual clinical presentation of voice quality in populations with WS via auditory-perceptual measures. Auditory-perceptual voice quality ratings were studied in 16 individuals with WS and 16 normal matched controls. Results revealed no significant differences between individuals with WS and normal controls on ratings of voice quality category, severity, or pitch. These findings diverge from those of previously published research, which will be addressed in the discussion.