Near-infrared photoglottography for measuring multiple glottal events

Abstract

Near-infrared (NIR) photoglottography (PGG) is a non-invasive method for monitoring glottal activities which retains functionality of conventional PGG using visible light with more convenient accessibility. This paper is to investigate its performance in comparison with simultaneously recorded electroglottography (EGG) signals. Results showed that NIR PGG detects continuous transillumination for glottal aperture and vocal-fold contact. Glottal timing markers known as glottal closure and opening instants are detectable agreeing to the corresponding EGG-based instants. Further, it was inferred that variations of glottal waveforms based on NIR PGG reflect vertical vocal-fold edge motions.