Acoustic parameters of voice in typically developing children ages 4–19 years

Objectives: Report data on acoustic measures of voice in sustained vowels produced by typically developing children, aged 4-19 years, to add to the cross-sectional reference values in a pediatric database.Methods: Recordings of sustained vowel/alpha/phonation were obtained from 158 children (80 males, 78 females) aged 4-19 years who were judged to be typically developing with respect to speech and voice. Acoustic analyses were performed with the Multidimensional Voice Program (MDVPTM) and the Analysis of Dysphonia in Speech and Voice (ADSVTM), both from Pentax Medical.Results: Values from both MDVP and ADSV are reported for children in the following age cohorts: 4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-12 years, 13-15 years, and 16-19 years.Conclusion: The data in this study complement previously published data and contribute to a pediatric reference database useful for research and for clinical practice related to children's voice. Acoustic parameters most sensitive to age and sex are identified.