Changes in speaking fundamental frequency characteristics with aging

Abstract

Changes in speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) associated with aging were studied in a total of 374 normal and healthy speakers (187 males and 187 females) from adolescent or older age groups. The subjects were asked to read sample passages aloud, and acoustic analysis was performed. The main results were as follows: 1. Males exhibited only small changes through the first six decades of their lives. A slight increase was observed in subjects 70 years of age or older. 2. Females in their 30's and 40's showed clearly lower frequencies than those in their 20's. Across all age groups, including the 80's, SFF tended to decrease in step with aging. 3. The scope of variation was notably larger in females than in males. Reference intervals (mean±1.96 SD) were obtained for each age group of males and females. These are thought to be useful for clinical detection of any abnormalities in SFF as well as detection of laryngeal diseases causing the abnormality.