Pitch-

Evaluate during sustained phonation and conversational sample

Subjective: Perceptually assess patient’s voice for pitch with regard to age, size, and gender.

Objective: Assess fundamental frequency (Hz), compare with normative data.

NOTE: No significant sex differences before puberty.

Average fundamental frequency:

~120 Hz for adult males

~220 Hz for adult females

Average adult male voice is approximately one octave lower than a female’s. Acoustic Assessment:

Evaluate during habitual pitch and pitch range tasks, although all tasks will provide frequency data.

Habitual pitch: Count from 1-10 in a natural voice

Pitch range: Start at a comfortable pitch and then go as high

as you can. Start at a comfortable pitch and then go as low as you can

Review: Voice Disorders Quiz 1