The research concerns the loud opera singing voice and the style of rhythmic music called belting. These singing styles are compared to a strong speaking and shouting voice. The study examines the efficiency of voice production (how loud the voice is) and economy (how much it loads the vocal folds). The topic is important because voice overload is a key risk factor for serious voice disorders.
Loud voice and speech samples of professional singers and vocally untrained participants are recorded as research material. The research is carried out in the Speech and Voice Research Laboratory of the Tampere University. The reference material produced by physical modeling of sound production is obtained in cooperation with the Institute of Thermomechanics, which is part of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The research results benefit the teaching of singing and speech. Updated information about the risks of voice production and how to avoid them in different groups of voice users is also needed in clinical work.