Biomedical subjects

P B Mueller

Publications and source records attributed to P B Mueller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

The aging voice.

A number of studies have found that listeners are often able to differentiate the voices of young and old speakers accurately. Following an overview of structural and functional changes found in studies of aging larynges, this article examines current findings on maximum phonation duration, voice quality, vocal jitter/shimmer, spectral noise, and fundamental frequency. Aging can affect vocal pitch, loudness, and quality, but such effects are highly variable across the aging population. Therefore, a thorough voice and medical examination is needed to isolate voice problems caused by vocal abuse or pathology from those due to normal aging. Pushing exercises may be a viable treatment option for those with age-related voice problems.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Speaking Fo and cepstral periodicity analysis of conversational speech in a 105-year-old woman: variability of aging effects.

We investigated speaking fundamental frequency and periodicity of voicing during conversational speech in a 105-year-old woman. Analyses revealed higher mean speaking fundamental frequency compared to previously published data obtained from elderly women. In the absence of normative data, the results of cepstrum analyses performed on vowels produced during connected speech revealed less periodicity for the 105-year-old woman's voice than for a 35-year-old woman's voice. The main finding of this study indicates that previously reported group trends regarding aging effects on mean speaking fundamental frequency of the female voice cannot simply be attributed to all elderly individuals. These results stress the importance, for clinical and research purposes, of recognizing the existence of considerable intra- as well as intersubject variability in the effects of aging on the voice.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Speaking fundamental frequency characteristics of white, African American, and Hispanic kindergartners.

Speech samples from groups of White, African American, and Hispanic kindergarten-age children were compared on measures of mean speaking fundamental frequency (F(zero)), maximum and minimum speaking F(zero), pitch sigma, and speaking range (in semitones). Results indicate that there are significant differences between racial groups on measures of mean speaking F(zero) and speaking range. In particular, the Hispanic children were observed to have increased mean speaking F(zero)S in comparison with the African American children and reduced speaking ranges as compared to both African American and White racial groups. Results indicate that the speech-language pathologist must exercise discretion when assessing the speaking F(zero) characteristics (particularly mean speaking F(zero) and speaking range) of children from different racial groups.

Black or African American↗

PubMed1992

Voice therapy practices and techniques: a survey of voice clinicians.

Members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Special Interest Division on Voice were asked to rate statements which emanated from a previously conducted national survey regarding the practice of voice therapy (Larson and Mueller, 1991). Respondents rated eight data-based statements on a five-point scale as to agreement/disagreement. Results indicated strong agreement with previous findings with the exception of the item addressing treatment time. Implications of these results are discussed.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association↗

PubMed1991

The effect of procedural variations on the S/Z ratio of adults.

The effect of elicitation order, number of required trials, and selection of /s/ and /z/ values utilized to calculate the s/z ratio in adult subjects was examined. Results support the conclusion that a single phoneme production trial is a valid and efficient method for obtaining the s/z ratio. Procedural and clinical implications are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Historically black and majority-white universities.

This paper details a cooperative sisterhood minority recruitment and retention agreement that was established between a predominantly White university and a historically Black university for the purpose of increasing the numbers of minority personnel in speech-language pathology and audiology. This paper also provides some suggestions for universities that may wish to implement a similar model. The program is still in its infancy. It is too early to determine how well a sisterhood agreement is able to provide a bridge of financial, academic, and emotional support to enable minority students to be successful. With continued experience with our new sisterhood relationship, we will be able to evaluate the program, make changes to improve it, and eventually determine whether or not the program is meeting the purpose for which it was designed. Faculty from both universities also look forward to collaborating on research projects and other scholarly activities. In the meantime, however, given the shortage of minority personnel in our profession, it seemed appropriate to offer the sisterhood concept as one means by which universities can help alleviate this critical problem.

Black or African American↗

PubMed1990