Researching
the "Science Behind Sound": MU Researcher
Analyzes the Physiology of Singers to Help People with
Chronic Vocal Problems
by
infoZine staff
Voice production
is much more complex than opening the mouth and letting
out a sound. Some singers sound good enough to compete
on American Idol; others can't carry a tune and some people
deal with even more problematic issues such as chronic
vocal problems. Nandhu Radhakrishnan is researching the
mechanics of making music at the Laryngeal Physiology
Lab he created at the University of Missouri with a room
full of tubes, wires, computers and instruments.
Radhakrishnan plans to explain scientifically what great
singers do physiologically, and using that knowledge,
create therapy for people who have chronic voice problems
due to health issues. He also hopes to help other singers
sing better and teach people who use their voices professionally
- such as teachers - how to do so without harming their
voices over time.
Radhakrishnan uses a set of non-invasive instruments -
a band around a person's neck and another mouthpiece to
speak into - to record physically how individuals make
themselves heard. Different organs and muscles that constitute
someone's voice, such as the lungs, larynx, vocal tract
and articulators (lips, tongue, palate) all work together
to produce sound.
Instruments in the lab can take voice measurements at
a multi-signal level and display exactly which organ or
muscle is working and at what level when someone speaks
or sings. If someone has an uncommonly weak voice, the
lab will be able to pinpoint the problem, such as someone
not providing enough air pressure from the lungs. Not
every person uses organs and muscles to produce sound
in the same way.
"If the lung pressure is really high and air flow
is very low, we can tell that the problem is somewhere
at the valve level or the vocal chord level," said
Radhakrishnan, assistant professor of communication science
and disorders in the MU School of Health Professions.
"Once we know the source of the problem, we can correct
it with different voice therapy techniques."
Producing sound is actually a very intricate process utilizing
several systems of the body. Lung pressure is a major
contributor to the way someone's voice sounds. Lung pressure
can change with volume. A softer voice would have less
lung pressure and as a voice becomes louder, more pressure
must be put on the lungs to increase air flow.
"People with Parkinson's disease have issues with
vocal projection and loudness because their muscle power
decreases as the disease progresses," Radhakrishnan
said. "When we can see physiologically how a great
voice works, then we can create exercises to improve breathing
and vocal aspects of voice production for people with
vocal problems. Regular practice may help people speak
in a louder voice and overcome vocal issues despite the
progression of Parkinson's disease." .
MORE
INFORMATION
This article first appeared
in the Kansas City infoZine on February 11, 2008. Their
website can be found at www.infozine.com.
Music without words means leaving behind the mind. And leaving behind the mind is meditation.
Meditation returns you to the source. And the source of all is sound. — Kabir
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