Fundamental Frequency of the Voice in Relation to Hypoxia as a Stress Factor
Fundamental Frequency of the Voice in Relation to Hypoxia as a Stress Factor

Summary/Abstract: The activity of vocal cords during speech production generates the basic fundamental frequency of the voice. Under the influence of any kind of stressors, the basic frequency features change. Hypoxia is a powerful stress factor. It causes a decline of the complete functional state of the organism. The aim of our research is to examine if there is any connection between the height of 1600m which is slightly hypoxic and the physical parameters of the basic frequency. The height of 1600m is generally called the threshold of reactions. At the height of 1600m and a bit higher, the first reaction of the organism to hypoxic conditions can be noticed. A group of subjects pronounced the vocals I, E, A, O and U at the heights of 400 and 1600 meters and we examined the changes in the contour, average frequency, intensity and the length of the fundamental frequency.The results show that there is an important effect of the 1600m height due to the fundamental voice frequency while pronouncing the vocals. Under these conditions, the distortion of the contour of the basic frequency occurs, the average value of the frequency is higher and the intensity and duration are reduced.

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