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Biomedical subjects

B Weinberg

Publications and source records attributed to B Weinberg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Methods of assessing speech in relation to velopharyngeal function.

Seven speech pathologists with expertise in the evaluation of the speech of individuals with cleft palate agreed that the following parameters should be assessed: case history, oral-peripheral mechanism, articulation, and voice quality. From such information and observations the clinician should be in a position to make inferences about velopharyngeal function. If velopharyngeal function is not normal, it is mandatory that additional information about the mechanism be obtained.

Articulation Disorders↗
PubMed1985

Two simplified methods for estimating velopharyngeal orifice area.

Two simplified methods for obtaining estimates of the area of the velopharyngeal orifice using nasal airflow and orifice differential pressure measures are described. In these methods, orifice areas are estimated by merely coordinating points on a graph or by interpolating values from a table. The accuracy of orifice area estimation by these methods compares favorably with estimation by other currently used methods. These simplified methods were developed to enlarge the application of hydraulic techniques by practicing clinicians.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1984

Aerodynamic properties of four tracheoesophageal puncture prostheses.

Airway resistance calculations were completed for two tracheoesophageal puncture prostheses (American V. Mueller Blom-Singer Voice Prosthesis and BIVONA Low Resistance Voice Prosthesis), which have recently become available on a commercial basis. These calculations were compared with those made previously for two, existing prostheses: the Blom-Singer duckbill and the Panje Voice Button. Substantial differences in airway resistance properties exist among these four devices. BIVONA Low Resistance devices exhibited the lowest resistance (less than 50 cm H2O/liters per second [LPS]); Panje Voice Buttons exhibited the highest (180 to 200 cm H2O/LPS); and Blom-Singer devices exhibited intermediate values (110 to 125 cm H2O/LPS) of opposition.

Air↗
PubMed1984

Esophageal insufflation testing in nonlaryngectomized adults.

Esophageal insufflation testing has been advocated for laryngectomized patients considered for tracheoesophageal puncture. The present work was undertaken to document the degree to which nonlaryngectomized individuals were able to produce and sustain esophageal voice in association with esophageal insufflation testing. Fifteen young, healthy adults were tested in a uniform way. Results were interpreted to support the views that (a) normal function of the pharyngoesophageal segment represents an influence detrimental to the ultimate acquisition of functionally serviceable esophageal or tracheoesophageal speech and (b) laryngectomized patients having airtight closure of the pharyngoesophageal segment during insufflation testing exhibit a normal esophageal response. Implications for completing air insufflation testing and selective myotomy are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Production of intonation and contrastive stress in electrolaryngeal speech.

Acoustical investigations of intonation and contrastive stress patterns in speech produced with electronic artificial larynges were completed. High-quality tape recordings of sentences spoken by 4 normal speakers, 3 users of the Western Electric 5A electrolarynx, and 2 users of the Servox electrolarynx were subjected to acoustic analysis. All electrolarynx users distinguished stressed from unstressed syllables by varying the duration of syllables and contiguous pauses. One Western Electric 5A speaker also controlled fundamental frequency. This speaker distinguished statements from questions by varying the rate and extent of the initial rising portion of fundamental frequency contours. Findings are interpreted in relation to their implications for clinical intervention and in terms of suggestions for improved design of artificial larynges.

Humans↗
PubMed1984

The effects of increased nasal airway resistance on modeled velopharyngeal orifice area estimation.

Research has shown that cleft lip and palate individuals have higher nasal airway resistance than normal subjects (Warren, Duany, and Fischer, 1969). The present work examined the predictive nature of modeled velopharyngeal orifice area calculations obtained using the hydrokinetic equation (Warren and DuBois, 1964) under conditions simulating increased degrees of nasal obstruction. The results of this project suggested that Warren's hydrokinetic method can be used to obtain accurate estimates of velopharyngeal orifice area under conditions of increased nasal airway resistance when airflow rates are nonvariant.

Air Pressure↗
PubMed1983

Unrecognized aspiration of an oropharyngeal airway.

A case of unsuspected aspiration of an oropharyngeal airway causing dysphagia is described. Visualization of this airway on plain film would be facilitated if radio-opaque material were included at manufacture.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Perception of intonational contrasts in alaryngeal speech.

The achievement of intonational contrasts by 4 normal and 16 laryngectomized speakers was assessed in this project. The laryngectomized subjects represented four clinical subgroups of alaryngeal speech: esophageal, tracheoesophageal, Western Electric #5 electrolarynx, and Servox electrolarynx. High-quality tape recordings of each subject's productions of two pairs of sentences (Bev loves Bob) spoken in statement and question from were presented to 40 listeners for evaluation using a two-interval-alternative-forced-choice procedure. Intonational contrasts were achieved in a highly effective manner by the normal, esophageal, and tracheoesophageal speakers. In contrast, users of electronic artificial larynges were generally unable to achieve these intonational distinctions except for one user of the Western Electric #5 electrolarynx.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Perception of lexical stress in alaryngeal speech.

This project was a perceptual investigation of lexical stress in alaryngeal speech. The ability of alaryngeal speakers to signal lexical stress in American English was assessed by obtaining high-quality tape recordings of noun-verb oppositions (e.g., 'insult vs. in'sult) from four normal and 16 laryngectomized speakers using four different types of alaryngeal speech. The recordings of these words were presented to 30 listeners for perceptual evaluation using a two-interval-forced-choice procedure. As expected, the four normal speakers achieved high (93% or above) levels of stress contrast. Lexical stress contrasts were also achieved at a high level of proficiency (88% or above) by all four esophageal speakers, all four tracheoesophageal speakers, one of four users of the Western Electric electrolarynx, and two of four users of the Servox electrolarynx. Lexical stress contrasts were realized in a less (82-86%) but reasonably effective manner by one Western Electric user and two Servox users. The findings were interpreted to highlight the contributions that study of clinical samples may make to investigations of speech production and speech perception.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Evaluations of Blom-Singer tracheoesophageal puncture prostheses performance.

Empirical and theoretical approaches to the assessment of Blom-Singer tracheoesophageal puncture prosthesis performance are described in this paper. The results of empirical studies provide new insights about the behavior of Blom-Singer devices. Namely, the overall average resistance (about 126 cm H2O/LPS) of these devices stems from two major factors: air entrance and air exit effects. The magnitudes of airway resistance for each of these factors and the relative contribution each factor makes to the total airway resistance of these prostheses are delineated. The performance of these devices and modifications thereof are shown to be characterized and predicted quite well using a one-dimensional, spring-constant mathematical model.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1983

Velopharyngeal orifice area prediction during aerodynamic simulation of fricative consonants.

The present work examined the predictive nature of modeled velopharyngeal orifice area calculations obtained using the hydrokinetic equation (Warren and DuBois, 1964) during conditions simulating voiceless fricative production. Results indicated that accurate estimates of velopharyngeal orifice area can be obtained during aerodynamic events like those known to exist during fricative production. These findings were interpreted to lend support to the view that aerodynamic assessment incorporating hydrokinetic principles provides a useful, noninvasive method for clinical testing and research investigation of velopharyngeal function.

Forecasting↗
PubMed1982

Airway resistance of the voice button.

Airway resistance calculations were completed for Voice Button prostheses. Resistance of these devices ranged from about 285 to 440 cm H2O/L/s, revealing that the opposition these prostheses offer to airflow through them is substantial. In this circumstance, a reduction inthe efficiency with which tracheoesophageal voice is produced would be expected.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1982

Airway resistance during esophageal phonation.

Prosthesis airway resistance calculations were completed for five Blom-Singer prostheses and esophageal source airway resistance estimates were made of five laryngectomized patients using the Singer-Blom voice restoration method. Airway resistance of the Blom-Singer prostheses ranged from 46 to 121 cmH20/LPS, while source airway resistance in these-subjects ranged from about 155 to 270 cmH20/LPS. These results revealed that the opposition of the voicing sources used in esophageal speech production to airflow through them is substantial and larger than that established for the normal, laryngeal source. Findings are interpreted to highlight major advantages the Singer-Blom (1980) method of speech/voice restoration has over esophageal speech/voice produced on a conventional basis and to reveal specific reasons for the failure of many laryngectomized patients to develop consistent voice and functionally serviceable speech.

Airway Resistance↗