An innovative approach to measurements of vocal changes following sudden onset complete hearing loss

Following sudden profound bilateral hearing loss in a 14 year old child, vocal changes were recorded and subjected to a multi-dimensional analysis. Parameters investigated included total speaking time, rate, phonation time, pause time, vocal pitch, pitch range, harmonic distribution, and intensity measures. The method of measurement which was employed is proposed for serving as a basis for the quantification of vocal changes following hearing loss, an area which has only received subjective analysis to date. The clinical implications and applications of such measurements are discussed.