This article aims to examine methods of optimizing GMM-based voice conversion systems performance in which GMM method is introduced as the basic method for improvement of voice conversion systems performance. In the current methods, due to using a single conversion function to convert all speech units and subsequent spectral smoothing arising from statistical averaging, we will observe quality ...

parkinsonian speech is characterized by abnormally low voice intensity, with vocal decay, poor voice quality, reduced prosodic pitch and loudness inflection, imprecise vowels and consonants, dysrhythmia and short rushes of speech, mumbling, and reduced speech intelligibility. recently, there have been new acoustic analysis methods to capture different aspects of these speech abnormalities. in t...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This paper describes recent advances in perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, and endoscopic imaging methods for assessing voice function. RECENT FINDINGS We review advances from four major areas. PERCEPTUAL ASSESSMENT: Speech-language pathologists are being encouraged to use the new consensus auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice inventory for auditory-perceptual assessment ...

We discuss techniques for Voice Activity Detection (VAD) for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VAD aids in reducing bandwidth requirement of a voice session thereby using bandwidth efficiently. Such a scheme would be implemented in the application Layer. Thus the VAD is independent of the lower layers in the network stack [3]. In this paper, we compare four time-domain VAD algorithms in term...

This study investigates the influence of using speech recognition software on voice quality. Two different groups of speakers (one group of subjects with a heavy daily vocal load and one control group) were subjected to different speech recognition tasks for 2 hours (either using discrete or continuous speech recognition software). Five listeners assessed the voice quality (14 parameters) befor...

oronasal region, as an important organ of taste and smell, being respected for its impact on the resonace, which is crucial for any normal speech production. different congenital, acquired and/or developmentalpdefect, may not only have impacts on the quality of respiration, phonation, resonance, also on the process of a normal speech. this article will enable readers to have more focus in such ...

The singing voice is the oldest and most variable of musical instruments. By combining music, lyrics, and expression, the voice is able to affect us in ways that no other instrument can. As listeners, we are innately drawn to the sound of the human voice, and when present it is almost always the focal point of a musical piece. But the acoustic flexibility of the voice in intimating words, shapi...

BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus, although highly effective for the treatment of motor impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD), can induce speech deterioration in a subgroup of patients. The aim of the current study was to survey (1) if there are distinctive stimulation effects on the different parameters of voice and speech and (2) if there is a special pattern of pr...