COMD 5070 Exam 2 Study Guide: Practice Questions & Notes

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COMD 5070 Exam 2 (Latest 2025 Update) Acoustics of

Speech and Hearing | Questions and Verified Answers

| 100% Correct | Grade A - Utah

How to calculate average air flow. .....ANSWER.....volume/time

If 1 liter of air is used and phonation lasts 5 seconds, what is the

average flow? .....ANSWER.....1/5 liters per seconds (or 0.2 liters

per second)

How does a U-Tube Manometer work. .....ANSWER.....Put water

into the tube and there will be equal pressure. But if pressure is

applied to one side, the water will be displaced. The difference

in water displacement is the amount of pressure applied. A little

pressure means little displacement, a lot of pressure means more

displacement.

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What is a U-Tube Manometer best used for.

.....ANSWER.....Calibration of other electronic equipment. For

example, a pressure transducer.

What are the limitations of a U-Tube Manometer.

.....ANSWER.....The instrument is crude and cannot measure

dynamic levels of pressure. In speech, pressure changes too

rapidly and also subtly.

What happens to the rib cage and abdomen as we inhale.

.....ANSWER.....They expand.

What happens to the rib cage and abdomen as we exhale.

.....ANSWER.....They contract.

What happens when we reduce the size of the lungs (exhale).

.....ANSWER.....Pressure increases.

What is the driving force of speech? .....ANSWER.....The lungs.

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What tool do we use to measure speech breathing?

.....ANSWER.....Variable Inductance Plesthysmograph. A stretchy

band goes around the rib cage and abdomen. Transducers are

connected to a computer to track and measure movements during

speech.

What is Psub (Ps)? .....ANSWER.....Subglottal pressure.

What does Psub measure? .....ANSWER.....Subglottal pressure is

a measure of pressure below the larynx. It is the driving force of

speech and phonation.

How much subglottal pressure is needed for normal speech?

.....ANSWER.....5 to 7 cm H20

How much Psub is needed for very loud speech?

.....ANSWER.....15 to 20 cm H20

What is PTP? .....ANSWER.....Phonation threshold pressure is the

pressure needed from the lungs to get the vocal folds to oscillate

for the very softest voice.

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How much PTP is needed to start vocal fold oscillation?

.....ANSWER.....3 to 5 cm H20. After starting, less pressure is

needed.

What influences PTP. .....ANSWER.....Dehydration (VF are dried

out), vocal fatigue (swollen vocal folds), lesions (lumps and

bumps)

In PTP, vocal folds are ______ for easy onset speech.

.....ANSWER.....Loose

In PTP, vocal folds are _____ for harsh onset speech.

.....ANSWER.....Stiff

PTP is ________ for abrupt starts in speech.

.....ANSWER.....Higher.

What happens in Keratosis or Leukoplakia? .....ANSWER.....Many

lesions on the vocal folds lead to stiffening of the mucosa layer.

Creates a dry, husky smokers voice.