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Summary Aims The primary aim of this study was to provide normative formant frequency (F) values for male and female speakers of Australian English. The secondary aim was to examine the effects of speaker sex, age, vowel quality, and geographical location on F. Method The first three monophthong formant frequencies (F1, F2, and F3) for 244 female and 135 male speakers aged 18–60 years from a recent large-scale corpus of Australian English were analysed on a passage reading task. Results Mixed effects linear regression models suggested that speaker sex, speaker age, and vowel quality significantly predicted F1, F2, and F3 (P = 0.000). Effect sizes suggested that speaker sex and vowel quality contributed most to the variations in F1, F2, and F3 whereas speaker age and geographical location contributed a smaller amount. Conclusion Both clinicians and researchers are provided with normative F data for 18–60 year-old speakers of Australian English. Such data have increased internal and external validity relative to previous literature. F normative data for speakers of Australian English should be considered with reference to speaker sex and vowel but it may not be practically necessary to adjust for speaker age and geographical location.

Summary Aims The aim of this study was to provide a description of normative speaking fundamental frequency (fos) characteristics for adult speakers of Australian English. The effects of age, sex, and geographical location on fos were also examined to assess whether variations existed. Methods fos data for 244 female and 135 male speakers aged 18–60 years from a recent large-scale corpus of Australian English were analyzed on a passage reading task. Creak phonation frequencies were first separated from the modal phonation frequencies algorithmically. Descriptive statistics were then generated for modal voice. Results The mixed effects linear regression model suggested that geographical location had no effect on fos (P = 0.0677). The multiple linear regression model suggested that both sex (P = 0.000) and age (P = 0.000) significantly predicted fos. fos of the female speakers was greater than males by 76 Hz, when accounted for by age, and for every increase in age by one year, fos decreased by 0.37 Hz. Normative data on fos were therefore provided with reference to speaker sex and age only. Conclusion Both clinicians and researchers are provided with normative fos data for 18–60 year-old speakers of Australian English. These updated data have increased internal and external validity relative to previous literature. These increases were achieved by having a larger sample size, systematically sampling speakers of different age groups and geographical locations, sampling contemporary speakers of Australian English and excluding speakers with known concomitant factors that affect fos.

Purpose The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of the aspects of verbal communication contributing to listener perceptions of speaker gender with a view to providing clinicians with guidance for the selection of the training goals when working with transsexual individuals. Method Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines were adopted in this systematic review. Studies evaluating the contribution of aspects of verbal communication to listener perceptions of speaker gender were rated against a new risk of bias assessment tool. Relevant data were extracted, and narrative synthesis was then conducted. Meta-analyses were conducted when appropriate data were available. Results Thirty-eight articles met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis showed speaking fundamental frequency contributing to 41.6% of the variance in gender perception. Auditory-perceptual and acoustic measures of pitch, resonance, loudness, articulation, and intonation were found to be associated with listeners' perceptions of speaker gender. Tempo and stress were not significantly associated. Mixed findings were found as to the contribution of a breathy voice quality to gender perception. Nonetheless, there exists significant risk of bias in this body of research. Conclusions Speech and language clinicians working with transsexual individuals may use the results of this review for goal setting. Further research is required to redress the significant risk of bias.

Objectives/Hypothesis This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on vocal functions in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma following radiation therapy. Study Design Prospective, randomized controlled trial. Methods One hundred forty newly treated NPC patients were recruited and randomized into NMES or traditional swallowing exercise (TE) group. Participants received intensive NMES or traditional swallowing therapy and were followed up until 12 months postrandomization. Fifty-seven participants completed the treatment and all of the follow-up assessments. The Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30) was used to measure the vocal functions of the participants. Results The NMES group showed no significant changes to their vocal functions, whereas the TE group showed a short-term deterioration of voice functions at the 6-month follow-up. VHI-30 scores returned to the baseline level for both groups at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions NMES is shown to provide a short-term benefit on vocal functions for NPC patients following radiation therapy. Level of Evidence 1b Laryngoscope, 127:1119–1124, 2017