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The MultiSensory Sound Lab electronically processes sound signals from microphones, musical instruments/recordings, electronic stethoscopes, and other sources and directs them to loudspeakers, a vibrating floor, and various large visual technologies that display the frequency, spectral, intensity, and time aspects of the signal. Originally developed for use with deaf children, the lab provides visual and tactile information about sound that is useful in a wide range of applications ranging from instruction in acoustics and physics of sound, to speech and music therapy for normally hearing, as well as, hearing‐impaired students. Example clinical and educational applications will be presented. Data from pre‐ and post‐testing show that sound lab activities result in significant concept learning and skill acquisition. User surveys shows that the sound lab eases teaching tasks and motivates students. Note: this presentation will serve as introduction to the MultiSensory Sound Lab tours that will be conducted at the University of Colorado. [Project supported by the U.S. Department of Education.]

Phonation threshold pressure (PTP) is the minimum subglottal pressure required to initiate vocal fold oscillation. This pressure is important both theoretically and clinically because of its relationship to tissue viscosity, time varying glottal flow, and vocal tract acoustics. The effects of several different measurement methods on estimated PTP were studied in normal subjects. Oral pressures during quietly voiced consonant–vowel–consonant syllable strings were used to estimate PTP. Factors expected to impact PTP estimates included: (1) low nasal flows associated with soft, relaxed phonation, and (2) vowel context, due to possible reactive loading. A significant percentage of normal subjects evidenced low, inconsistent nasal airflow during /p/ occlusion near threshold (as indicated by nasal pneumotachography). Nasal flow was not associated with supra‐threshold production for these same subjects. In spite of similar instruction and pre‐recording practice, subjects varied in the strategies they used to accomplish phonation at soft levels near their threshold pressure. Strategies potentially involving slight adjustment in glottal adduction were observed and would be predicted to alter PTP. These methodological challenges will be discussed relative to the variability observed in PTP estimates, and the potential impact on validity and reliability of noninvasive oral pressure measurement.

Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a focal laryngeal dystonia resulting in closure spasms of the larynx during speech. Botulinum toxin (occulium A) injection into the thyroarytenoid muscle is currently used to temporarily ameliorate gross voice symptoms of this condition. Studies of subtle voice change are needed to describe and track the toxin effects. Aerodynamic, kinematic, and acoustic recordings of SD patients were obtained over a three‐month period. In one patient, glottal adduction immediately decreased after toxin injection and subglottal pressure steadily decreased over the three‐month period, suggesting an adaptation to reduced respiratory effort. The course of peak glottal airflow, maximum flow derivative, and glottal adduction show variations reflecting physiological and behavioral adjustments. Data for other subjects will be discussed. The significance of the study pertains not only to toxin effects on communication, toxin dose administration, and therapy concerns, but also to laryngeal fun...