Classification of speech under stress by modeling the aerodynamics of the laryngeal ventricle

We focus on variations in the aerodynamics of airflow patterns in the laryngeal ventricle and the false vocal folds based on a physical model for the classification of neutral and stressed speech. We modify the two-mass model to include the laryngeal ventricle, and the physical parameters characterizing airflow variations in the laryngeal ventricle under psychological stress are explored. The two-mass model is fitted to real speech by estimating the physical parameters representing stiffness of the vocal folds and effective area of laryngeal ventricle. The estimated parameters can be used to separate stressed speech from neutral speech because these parameters represent the mechanisms of the vocal folds and airflow variation in the glottis under stress. Experimental evaluations show that the area of laryngeal ventricle has a modulating effect on speech production, and is effective for the classification of stressed speech.