Pitch in esophageal speech

Abstract

Most reports on pitch in esophageal speech emphasize that it is low-pitched with a measured fundamental frequency rarely higher than 100 cps. Our investigations show, however, that much esophageal 'phonation' lacks periodicity and, therefore, a fundamental frequency (i.e. pitch in the accepted sense). An auditory impression of pitch modulation can, nevertheless, be created by physical properties other than a varying harmonic structure. Our sample includes a rare case of truly high-pitched esophageal phonation with a fundamental frequency in the upper limit of the voice an octave higher than the highest reported in the literature. High-pitched phonation apparently requires a vibratory source in a 'mode' different from that of low-pitched phonation and should therefore be distinguished from it in discussing pitch in esophageal voice.