Analysis of vocal disorders with methods from nonlinear dynamics

Abstract

Several authors have recently demonstrated the intimate relationship between nonlinear dynamics and observations in vocal fold vibration (Herzel, 1993; Mende, Herzel, and Wermke, 1990; Titze, Baken, and Herzel, 1993). The aim of this paper is to analyze vocal disorders from a nonlinear dynamics point of view. Basic concepts and analysis techniques from nonlinear dynamics are reviewed and related to voice. The voices of several patients with vocal disorders are analyzed using traditional voice analysis techniques and methods from nonlinear dynamics. The two methods are shown to complement each other in many ways. Likely physiological mechanisms of the observed nonlinear phenomena are presented, and it is shown how much of the terminology in the literature describing rough voice can be unified within the framework of nonlinear dynamics.