Vocal Parameters of Elderly Female Choir Singers

Abstract

Introduction Due to increased life expectancy among theopulation, studying the vocalarameters of the elderly is key toromoting vocal health in old age. Objective This study aims to analyze therofile of the extension of speech of elderly female choristers, according to age group. Method The study counted on thearticipation of 25 elderly female choristers from the Choir of Messianic Church of São Paulo, with ages varying between 63 and 82 years, and an average of 71 years (standard deviation of 5.22). The elders were divided into two groups: G1 aged 63 to 71 years and G2 aged 72 to 82. We asked that eacharticipant count from 20 to 30 in weak, medium, strong, and very strong intensities. Their speech was registered by the software Vocalgrama that allows the evaluation of therofile of speech range. We then submitted thearameters of frequency and intensity to descriptive analysis, both in minimum and maximum levels, and range of spoken voice. Results The average of minimum and maximum frequencies were respectively 134.82-349.96 Hz for G1 and 137.28-348.59 Hz for G2; the average for minimum and maximum intensities were respectively 40.28-95.50 dB for G1 and 40.63-94.35 dB for G2; the vocal range used in speech was 215.14 Hz for G1 and 211.30 Hz for G2. Conclusion The minimum and maximum frequencies, maximum intensity, and vocal rangeresented differences in favor of the younger elder group.