Acoustic characteristics in 6-10-year-old children's voices: some preliminary findings

This study investigates the vocal characteristics in a group of 20 children aged 6-, 8- and 10-years old as a function of age and sex. Fundamental frequency (F0) and its variability were measured. Results suggested that the female children showed a steady decrease in F0 between the ages of 6 and 10 years and that the male children showed a marked decrease in F0 between the ages of 8 and 10 years. There was also decreased variability in F0. The first four formant frequencies (F1?F4 in Hz) and their corresponding formant bandwidths (B1?B4 in Hz) were measured for the phrase-final vowel. These data indicated significant age and sex differences for F1?F3. Sex differences were also found for B1 and age differences were found for B2 and F4. The results are also indicative of the development and maturation in the vocal apparatus.