The Effect of Experience on Classification of Voice Quality

Objectives/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to compare the agreement among several groups of listeners with different types of experience in regard to classifying voice quality. Study Design This is a retrospective cross-sectional quasi-experimental design. Method This study compared three groups: speech-language pathologists who specialize in voice, singing voice teachers, and inexperienced listeners. All groups were asked to classify voice samples as breathy, rough, or normal. Results Results show a significant difference across all groups with speech-language pathologists demonstrating a substantial interrater agreement, خ؛آ =آ 0.67, zآ =آ 103.07 (Pآ <آ 0.01); singing voice teachers demonstrating a moderate interrater agreement, خ؛آ =آ 0.53, zآ =آ 79.10 (Pآ <آ 0.01); and inexperienced listeners demonstrating a fair interrater agreement, خ؛آ =آ 0.24, zآ =آ 35.82 (Pآ <آ 0.01). Conclusions Experienced listeners demonstrated a higher interrater agreement as compared with inexperienced listeners, with speech-language pathologists demonstrating a superior agreement as compared with all groups.