Detection of Simulated Vocal Dysfunctions Using Complex sEMG Patterns

Abstract

Symptoms of voice disorder may range from slight hoarseness to complete loss of voice; from modest vocal effort to uncomfortable neck pain. But even minor symptoms may still impact personal and especially professional lives. While early detection and diagnosis can ameliorate that effect, to date, we are still largely missing reliable and valid data to help us better screen for voice disorders. In our previous study, we started to address this gap in research by introducing an ambulatory voice monitoring system using surface electromyography (sEMG) and a robust algorithm (HiGUSSS) for pattern recognition of vocal gestures. Here, we expand on that work by further analyzing a larger set of simulated vocal dysfunctions. Our goal is to demonstrate that such a system has the potential to recognize and detect real vocal dysfunctions from multiple individuals with high accuracy under both intra and intersubject conditions. The proposed system relies on four sEMG channels to simultaneously process various patterns of sEMG activation in the search for maladaptive laryngeal activity that may lead to voice disorders. In the results presented here, our pattern recognition algorithm detected from two to ten different classes of sEMG patterns of muscle activation with an accuracy as high as 99%, depending on the subject and the testing conditions.

The Relationship Between Physiological Mechanisms and the Self-Perception of Vocal Effort

“…At present, a series of physiological mechanisms specific to the laryngeal and paralaryngeal areas are reported to be associated with increased vocal effort, including increased intrinsic laryngeal tension, extrinsic laryngeal tension, supraglottal compression, and subglottal pressure. All of these mechanisms have been reported to increase when vocally healthy speakers purposefully increase effort and strain (Lien, Michener, Eadie, & Stepp, 2015;McKenna, Murray, Lien, & Stepp, 2016;Rosenthal, Lowell, & Colton, 2014; N. R. Smith et al, 2016) and are reported in speakers with voice disorders characterized by symptoms of excessive vocal effort (e.g., vocal hyperfunction).…”

“…It follows that excessive extrinsic laryngeal muscle tension has been identified as a clinical marker of voice disorders (Angsuwarangsee & Morrison, 2002) and has been targeted diagnostically and therapeutically (e.g., laryngeal palpation, circumlaryngeal massage; Roy, Ford, & Bless, 1996;Roy & Leeper, 1993). Yet, studies seeking to quantitatively evaluate extrinsic laryngeal muscle activation patterns as a means for discriminating between voice types and health status (i.e., healthy speakers vs. those with voice disorders) have yielded conflicting results (Redenbaugh & Reich, 1989; N. R. Smith et al, 2016;Stepp, Heaton, Jette, Burns, & Hillman, 2010;Stepp et al, 2011;Van Houtte, Claeys, D'Haeseleer, Wuyts, & Van Lierde, 2013).…”

The Next 10 Years in Voice Evaluation and Treatment

“…55 More recent work extended the information gained from the voice sensors to predict subglottal pressures, 56 aerodynamic patterns, 57 and muscle activation patterns associated with normal and abnormal voicing. 52,58,59 In the near future, these devices could be purchased by consumers as disposable sensors that communicate with smartphones to record voice use patterns and eventually provide biofeedback to the user regarding their accuracy in implementing targeted therapeutic voice use patterns in daily life. 53 Recent use of smartphones to facilitate accuracy and adherence to voice therapy methods also shows promise for future implementation of media that can be used by clinicians to ensure consistent and accurate patient practice of voice therapy methods.…”

A Comparison of Cepstral Features in the Detection of Pathological Voices by Varying the Input and Filterbank of the Cepstrum Computation

“…V OICE pathologies arise either due to physical changes in the voice production mechanism (e.g., in the respiratory system, vocal folds, and vocal tract) [1], [2] or due to improper vocal use when the physical structure of the mechanism is normal (e.g., vocal fatigue or ventricular phonation) [3]- [5]. Examples of voice pathologies are dysarthria [7], dysphonia [8], vocal polyp [9], and developmental dysphasia [13].…”