Pitch in esophageal speech.
Most reports on pitch in esophageal speech emphasize that it is low-pitched with a measured fundamental frequency rarely higher than 100 cps. Our investigations show, however, that much esophageal 'phonation' lacks periodicity and, therefore, a fundamental frequency (i.e. pitch in the accepted sense). An auditory impression of pitch modulation can, nevertheless, be created by physical properties other than a varying harmonic structure. Our sample includes a rare case of truly high-pitched esophageal phonation with a fundamental frequency in the upper limit of the voice an octave higher than the highest reported in the literature. High-pitched phonation apparently requires a vibratory source in a 'mode' different from that of low-pitched phonation and should therefore be distinguished from it in discussing pitch in esophageal voice.
Conveyance of sentence-types by alaryngeal speakers
11 LIST OF TABLES 1v CHAPTER
THE VOICE AFTER DIRECT LARYNGOSCOPIC OPERATIONS, LARYNGOFISSURE AND LARYNGECTOMY
Voice is the chief consideration in the treatment of most benign laryngeal conditions. In malignant conditions voice must obviously be relegated to second place, because the first and most urgent indication is to cure the cancer. It is necessary to explain this to the patient and his family, so that they may readjust their attitude and accept whatever vocal impairment may be entailed in the procedure required to obtain the proper prospect of cure. However, the fact remains that one of the things that the patient is most anxious to know before consenting to the necessary operation is whether he will lose his voice. Many people believe that removal of the vocal cords will make it impossible for them to talk, and the majority of those to whom total laryngectomy is advised are skeptical when assured that they will soon learn a new way of talking after the larynx is