Fundamental frequency of children and adolescent voice: normal values and variations with a

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the normal values of the voice fundamental frequency (Fo) of brazilian portuguese speaking children and adolescents and to determine its relation to age and gender. Fo was evaluated by acoustical analysis during the production of the vowel ‘a’ in 80 normal subjects of both sexes, aged from 7 to 18 years. The mean Fo values were 177+/- 51 and 211 +/- 18 Hz, for the male and female groups, respectively. A significant decrease of the Fo with age was observed only in the male group. The decrease was more notable at the age of 14 years. Frequency distinction between sexes was definitely established after this age.