Objective. The aim of the present study is to validate the Acoustic Voice Quality Index version 03.01 in the Italian language (AVQIv3-IT). Methods. A total of 150 native Italian speakers with normal voices (n = 50) and with various voice disorders (n = 100) were enrolled. Voice samples of a sustained vowel (SV) [a:] and five phonetically balanced continuous speech (CS) samples were recorded. The most appropriate syllable number for a standardized voiced CS approxi-mating 3 seconds was identified. Perceptual evaluations of the overall voice quality were performed by three expert voice clinicians using the G score of the GRBAS scale. AVQIs were calculated using a 3 seconds mid-vowel selection of the SV [a:] and the standardized syllable number of the CS. Finally, concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy of AVQIv3-IT were analysed. Results. The most appropriate syllable number for a standardized CS approximating 3 seconds in Italian was identified as 25. The perceptual ratings showed robust intra-and inter-rater reliability. A strong correlation was found between AVQI scores and overall voice quality perceptual evaluations (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). The best diag-nostic outcome for AVQIv3-IT was found for a threshold of 2.35 (sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 92%).Conclusions. AVQIv3-IT was demonstrated to be a valid and robust tool for quantifying overall acoustic voice quality in the Italian speaking population.
Validation of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) Version 03.01 in Italian
Fantini, Marco;Firino, Arianna;Spadola Bisetti, Massimo;Crosetti, Erika;Succo, Giovanni
2021-01-01
Abstract
Objective. The aim of the present study is to validate the Acoustic Voice Quality Index version 03.01 in the Italian language (AVQIv3-IT). Methods. A total of 150 native Italian speakers with normal voices (n = 50) and with various voice disorders (n = 100) were enrolled. Voice samples of a sustained vowel (SV) [a:] and five phonetically balanced continuous speech (CS) samples were recorded. The most appropriate syllable number for a standardized voiced CS approxi-mating 3 seconds was identified. Perceptual evaluations of the overall voice quality were performed by three expert voice clinicians using the G score of the GRBAS scale. AVQIs were calculated using a 3 seconds mid-vowel selection of the SV [a:] and the standardized syllable number of the CS. Finally, concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy of AVQIv3-IT were analysed. Results. The most appropriate syllable number for a standardized CS approximating 3 seconds in Italian was identified as 25. The perceptual ratings showed robust intra-and inter-rater reliability. A strong correlation was found between AVQI scores and overall voice quality perceptual evaluations (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). The best diag-nostic outcome for AVQIv3-IT was found for a threshold of 2.35 (sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 92%).Conclusions. AVQIv3-IT was demonstrated to be a valid and robust tool for quantifying overall acoustic voice quality in the Italian speaking population.
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