Perceptual analysis of child hoarseness using continuous scales

Fifty-eight 10-year old children were recorded and judged by a panel of voice expert listeners, who rated the voices along 26 voice parameters represented by visual analogue (continuous) scales on a test form. Interjudge reliability was high. Rank ordered rating means revealed a discontinuity i n the distribution for most parameters. A factor analysis revealed three factors of major relevance to the perception of these voices. These factors were closely associated with hoarseness, pitch, and phonatoy effort. The hoarseness factor was found to have high loadings i n gratings, breathiness, hyperfunction, roughness, instability, and voice breaks. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that breathiness, hyperfunction and roughness are good predictors of hoarseness.