Comparison of Tongue and Lip Trills with Phonation of the Sustained Vowel /ε/ Regarding the Periodicity of the Electroglottographic Waveform and the Amplitude of the Electroglottographic Signal

Abstract

Aim: The aim is to compare the vocal fold vibration seen during lip and tongue trills with that seen during phonation of the sustained vowel /e/, in terms of the periodicity of the EGG waveform and the amplitude of the EGG signal, in professional voice users. Study design: This was a quasi-experimental study. Methods: We used electroglottography (EGG) to compare the vocal fold vibration seen during tongue and lip trills with that seen during phonation of the sustained vowel /e/, in terms of the EGG waveform periodicity and signal amplitude, in 10 classically trained, professional singers. The participants produced the sustained vowel /e/ and performed tongue and lip trills at the same frequency and intensity. The periodicity of the waveform and the amplitude of the signal were visually analyzed by three blinded, experienced readers. To confirm the visual analysis results, we measured the jitter and shimmer of the signal and the frequency of variation in vocal fold vibration during the trill exercises. Results: The EGG waveform was classified as periodic for the sustained vowel phonation task and as quasi-periodic for the trill exercises, the vibration pattern repeating at approximately 24 Hz. Conclusion: The vibration of the vocal folds was modified according to the supraglottic movement in trills exercises.