Monitoring voice condition using smartphones
Citation
Schaeffler, F. & Beck, J. (2017) Monitoring voice condition using smartphones. In: Manfredi, C. (ed.) Models and Analysis of Vocal Emissions for Biomedical Applications: Proceedings and Report of the MAVEBA 10th International Workshop, December 13-15, 2017. Firenze, Italy: Firenze University Press, pp. 27-30.
Abstract
Smartphone mediated voice monitoring
has the potential to support voice care by
facilitating data collection, analysis and
biofeedback.
To field-test this approach we have developed a
smartphone app that allows recording of voice
samples alongside voice self-report data. Our longterm
aim is convenient and accessible voice
monitoring to prevent voice problems and
disorders. Our current study focussed on the
automatic detection of voice changes in healthy
voices that result from common transient illnesses
like colds.
We have recorded a database of approximately
700 voice samples from 62 speakers and selected a
subset of 225 voice samples from 8 speakers who
had submitted at least 10 recordings and reported
at least one instance of a moderate cold. We
extracted 12 acoustic parameters and applied
multivariate statistical process control procedures
(Hotelling's T2) to detect whether instances of cold
caused violations of distributional control limits.
Results showed significant association between
control limit violations and reporting of a cold.
While there is scope for further improvement of
sensitivity and specificity of the procedure, it could
already support early detection of voice problems,
especially if mediated by voice experts.