The effects of vocal intensity on vocal attack time (VAT)

Abstract

Vocal attack time (VAT), is a parameter which could provide information about vocal folds attack gesture during pre-phonatory phase. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of vocal intensity on VAT. Simultaneously, sound pressure level and electroglottographic signals were collected from 50 participants (25 females and 25 males). The participants were asked to read aloud 12 disyllabic word stimuli using three different intensity levels, comfortable intensity first, then soft intensity and finally loud intensity. The data collected were then subjected to calculation of VAT values using a Matlab-based analysis program. Results indicated that both female and male participants demonstrated the shortest VAT values at loud intensity but the longest VAT values at soft intensity. Both gender groups show similar performance across the three intensity levels. This study provides some empirical data to support the use of VAT as a clinical tool for voice assessment.