1. Breathing and Speech Production
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

2. Learning Objectives
Possess a basic knowledge of respiratory anatomy sufficient to understand basic respiratory physiology and its relation to speech sound generation.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

3. Respiratory System Components
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

4. Structure and Mechanics of Respiratory System
Pulmonary system
Lungs and airways
Upper respiratory system
Lower respiratory system
Chest wall system
Necessary for normal vegetative and speech breathing
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

5. Chest wall system Rib cage wall Abdominal wall Diaphragm
Abdominal contents
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

6. Chest wall-Lung relation
Lungs not physically attached to the thoracic walls
Lungs: visceral pleura
Thoracic wall: parietal pleura
Filled with Pleural fluid
Ppleural < Patm - “pleural linkage” allows the lungs to move with the thoracic wall
Breaking pleural linkage Ppleural = Patm - pneumothorax
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

7. Thorax
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

8. Abdomen
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

9. Diaphragm
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

10. Respiratory muscles Pectoralis major Pectoralis minor
Diaphragm
External intercostals
Internal intercostals
(interosseus & intercartilaginous)
Costal elevators
Serratus posterior superior
Serratus posterior inferior
Sternocleidomastoid
Scalenes
Trapezius
Pectoralis major
Pectoralis minor
Serratus anterior
Transverse throacis
Rectus abdominis
External obliques
Internal obliques
Transversus abdominis
Quadratus lumborum
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

11. Learning Objectives
Describe how physical laws help explain how air is moved in and out of the body.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

12. Moving Air SPPA 4030 Speech Science
Patm: atmospheric pressure
Palv: alveolar pressure
Vt: thoracic volume
P = k/V: Boyle’s Law
 Vt =  Palv Palv < Patm (- Palv) P differential = density differential  air molecules flowing into lungs = inspiration
 Vt =  Palv Palv > Patmos (+ Palv) P differential = density differential  air molecules flow out of lungs = expiration
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

13. Changing thoracic volume (Vt)
Strategies
∆ Length
∆ Circumference
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

14. Changing lung volume ( Vlung)
pleural linkage:  Vlung =  Vthoracic
 Vthoracic is
raising/lowering the ribs (circumference)
Raising:  Vthoracic = inspiration
Lowering:  Vthoracic =expiration
Raising/lowering the diaphragm (vertical dimension)
Raising: Vthoracic =expiration
Lowering:  Vthoracic =inspiration
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

15. Biomechanics of the chest wall
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

16. Learning Objectives
Contrast the goals of non-speech breathing and speech breathing.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

17. “Goals” of Breathing Non-speech (e.g. rest) Breathing Speech Breathing
Ventilation
Requires exchanging volumes of air
Speech Breathing
Communication
Requires regulating alveolar pressure on expiration
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

18. Learning Objectives
Outline the output variables associated with breathing.
Briefly describe the methods used to measure lung volume change.
Describe the functional subdivisions of the lung volume space.
Be aware of the lungs volumes required for various respiratory activities.
Differentiate speech and rest breathing in terms of volume measures.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

19. Output Variables: Volume
“Wet” Spirometer
Volume measured directly
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

20. Output Variables: Volume
Pneumotachograph
Sometimes called “dry” spirometry
Vented mask the covers mouth and nose
Airflow signal is then integrated to determine volume
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

21. Output Variables: Volume
(REL)
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

22. Lung Volume Terminology
Tidal Volume (TV)
Volume of air inspired/expired during rest breathing.
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
Volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled, “below” tidal volume.
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
Volume of air that can be inhaled, “above” tidal volume.
Residual Volume (RV)
Volume of air left after maximal expiration. Measurable, but not easily so.
Total Lung Capacity (TLC)
Volume of air enclosed in the respiratory system (i.e. TLC=RV+ERV+TV+IRV)
Inspiratory capacity (IC)
TV + IRV
Vital Capacity (VC)
Volume of air that can be inhaled/exhaled (i.e. VC=IRV +TV+ERV)
Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)
Volume of air in the respiratory system at the REL (i.e. FRC=RV+ERV)
Resting Expiratory End Level/Resting Lung Volume (REL or RLV)
Place in lung volume space where resting tidal volume typically ends
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

23. SPPA 4030 Speech Science

24. Output Variables: Volume
Typical Volume Values
Vital Capacity: 4-5 liters
Total Lung Capacity: 5-6 liters
REL: 40 % VC (upright)
Rest Breathing
Tidal Volume: ~ 10 % VC
Insp/Exp Timing: ~50:50
Respiratory Rate: breaths/minute
Speech Breathing
Tidal Volume: % VC
Insp/Exp Timing: ~10:90
Respiratory Rate: variable
Rest Breathing vs. Speech Breathing
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

25. Learning Objectives
Briefly describe the methods used to measure/infer alveolar pressure.
Contrast speech and rest breathing in terms of alveolar pressure.
Be aware of the alveolar pressure required for various respiratory activities.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

26. Output Variables: Pressure
Termed Manometry
pressure transducers may be placed at various locations in the body
Mouth
Trachea
Thoracic esophagus
Abdominal esophagus
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

27. Quantifying aerodynamic Pressure
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

28. Output Variables: Pressure
Typical Values
Resting Tidal Breathing
Palv: +/- 1-2 cm H20
Speech Breathing
Palv: cm H20 during expiration
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

29. Learning Objectives
Briefly describe methods used to measure changes in chest wall shape.
Be aware of the factors that influence changes in chest wall shape.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

30. Output Variables: Shape
Rib cage wall and abdominal walls are free to move
Changing either can influence lung volume
A wide variety of chest wall configurations are possible.
Configurations appear to be a function of biomechanical and task-based factors.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

31. Output Variables: Shape
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

32. SPPA 4030 Speech Science

33. Output Variables: Shape
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

34. Volume, pressure and Shape Changed during speech breathing
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

35. Learning Objectives
Describe the elasticity of the respiratory system and its relation to REL.
Apply the bellows analogy to the respiratory system.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

36. Respiratory System Mechanics
It is spring-like (elastic)
Elastic systems have an equilibrium point (rest position)
What happens when you displace it from equilibrium?
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

37. Displacement away from equilibrium
Restoring force back to equilibrium
Longer than
equilibrium
equilibrium
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

38. Displacement away from equilibrium
Restoring force back to equilibrium
Shorter than
equilibrium
equilibrium
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

39. Displacement away from equilibrium
Restoring force back to equilibrium
Shorter than
equilibrium
Longer than
equilibrium
equilibrium
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

40. Equilibrium point ~ REL
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

41. Displacement away from REL
Restoring force back to REL
Lung Volume
Below REL
Lung Volume
Above REL
REL
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

42. Is the respiratory system heavily or lightly damped?
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

43. Respiratory Mechanics: Bellow’s Analogy
Bellows volume = lung volume
Handles = respiratory muscles
Spring = elasticity of the respiratory system – recoil or relaxation pressure
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

44. No pushing or pulling on the handles ~ no exp. or insp. muscle activity
Volume ~ REL
Patmos = Palv, no airflow
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

45. At REL muscle force elastic force pull handles outward from rest
V increases ~ Palv decreases
Inward air flow
INSPIRATION
muscle force
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

46. At REL muscle force elastic force push handles inward from rest
V decreases ~ Palv increases
outward air flow
EXPIRATION
muscle force
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

47. Respiratory Mechanics: Bellow’s Analogy
Forces acting on the bellows/lungs are due to
Elastic properties of the system
Passive
Always present
Muscle activity
Active
Under nervous system control (automatic or voluntary)
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

48. Learning Objectives
Use the modified pressure-relaxation curve to explain the active and passive forces involved in controlling the respiratory system.
Provide muscular solutions for producing target alveolar pressures at various regions of the lung volume space.
Differentiate between volume and pulsatile demands during speech breathing.
Outline the differences in the muscular strategies used for rest and speech breathing.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

49. Forces due to elasticity of system (no active muscle activity)
Recoil forces are proportionate to the amount of displacement from rest
Recoil forces ~ Palv
Relaxation pressure curve
Plots Palv due to recoil force against lung volume
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

50. Traditional Relaxation Pressure Curve
Hixon, Weismer & Hoit
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

51. Relaxation Pressure Curve (Our modified version)
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

52. Alveolar Pressure (cm H20) 20 60
% Vital Capacity 40
100
Alveolar Pressure (cm H20) 20 60
-20
-40
-60 80
relaxation pressure
REL
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

53. Breathing for Life: Inspiration
pulling handles outward with net inspiratory muscle activity
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

54. Breathing for Life: Expiration
No muscle activity
Recoil forces alone returns volume to REL
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

55. Alveolar Pressure (cm H20) 20 60
Breathing for Life
% Vital Capacity 40
100
Alveolar Pressure (cm H20) 20 60
-20
-40
-60 80
relaxation pressure
~ 2 cm
10 %
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

56. Respiratory demands of speech
Conversational speech requires
“constant” tracheal pressure for driving vocal fold oscillation
brief, “pulsatile” changes in pressure to meet particular linguistic demands
emphatic and syllabic stress
phonetic requirements
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

57. Respiratory demands of speech
Conversational speech
Volume solution
Constant tracheal pressure 8-10 cm H20
Pulsatile solution
Brief increases above/below constant tracheal pressure
Driving analogy
Volume solution
Maintain a relatively constant speed
Pulsatile solution
Brief increases/decreases in speed due to moment to moment traffic conditions
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

58. Breathing for Speech: Inspiration
pulling handles outward with net inspiratory muscle activity
Rate of volume change is greater than rest breathing
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

59. Alveolar Pressure (cm H20)
Breathing for Speech 60 40 20
relaxation pressure
~ 8-10 cm
Alveolar Pressure (cm H20)
-20
-40
20 %
-60
100 80 60 40 20
% Vital Capacity
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

60. Alveolar Pressure (cm H20)
Breathing for Speech 60 40 20
relaxation pressure
~ 8-10 cm
Alveolar Pressure (cm H20)
-20
-40
20 %
-60
100 80 60 40 20
% Vital Capacity
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

61. Breathing for Speech: Expiration
Expiratory muscle activity & recoil
forces returns volume to REL
Pressure is net effect of expiratory muscles (assisting) and recoil forces (assisting)
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

62. Alveolar Pressure (cm H20)60
Prelax > Palv
Requires
“braking”
Add Pinsp to
Meet Palv
Optimal region
Prelax > 0
assists Palv
Add Pexp to
Meet Psg
Below REL
Prelax < 0
opposes Palv
Add Pexp to
meet Palv
& overcome
Prelax 40 20
Target Palv ~ 8-10 cm
Alveolar Pressure (cm H20)
-20
-40
Prelax: relaxation pressure
Palv: target alveolar pressure
Pexp: net expiratory muscle pressure
Pinsp: net inspiratory muscle pressure
20 % VC
change
-60
100 80 60 40 20
% Vital Capacity

63. Summary to this point Muscle activity for Inhalation Life Speech
Active inspiration to overcome elastic recoil
Speech
Greater lung volume excursion
Longer and greater amount of muscle activity
Rate of lung volume change greater
Greater amount of muscle activity
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

64. Summary to this point Muscle activity for exhalation Life Speech
Minimal active expiration (i.e. no muscle activity)
Elastic recoil force only
Speech
Active use of expiratory muscles to maintain airway pressures necessary for speech (8-10 cm water)
Degree of muscle activity must increase to offset reductions in relaxation pressure
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

65. Learning Objectives
Explain how the respiratory system is “tuned” for speech breathing.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

66. Speech breathing demands a ‘well-tuned’ respiratory system
Brief, robust expiratory muscle activity
Chest wall must be ‘optimized’ so that rapid changes can be made
Optimal environment created by active muscle activity
This is our ‘modern’ view of speech breathing
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

67. History of Speech Breathing Studies
“Classic” studies of speech breathing
University of Edinburgh
Draper, Ladefoged & Witteridge (1959, 1960)
“Modern” studies of speech breathing
Harvard University
Hixon, Goldman and Mead (1973)
Hixon, Mead and Goldman (1976)
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

68. How do we tune our system?
Abdominal wall is active throughout the speech breath cycle –even during inspiration!
Why??
Speculations include
Stretches diaphragm and rib cage muscle to a more optimal length-tension region, which increases ability for rapid contraction to meet pulsatile demands.
During expiration, a strong abdominal platform prevents energy being ‘absorbed’ by the abdominal contents.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

69. Optimizing the chest wall
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

70. SPPA 4030 Speech Science Muscle Activity Rib Cage Wall (inspiratory)
Rib Cage Wall (expiratory)
Abdominal Wall
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

71. So what?
Suggests speech breathing is more ‘active’ than originally thought
Passive pressures (recoil forces) of the system is heavily exploited in life breathing
speech breathing requires an efficient pressure regulator and therefore relies less on passive pressures
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

72. Summary: Muscle activity
Inspiration
Life
Active inspiratory muscles
Speech
COACTIVATION OF
inspiratory muscles
expiratory muscles (specifically abdominal)
INS > EXP = net inspiration
System ‘tuned’ for quick inhalation
Expiration
Life
No active expiration (i.e. no muscle activity)
Speech
Active use of rib cage expiratory muscles
Active use of abdominal expiratory muscles
System “Tuned” for quick brief changes in pressure to meet linguistic demands of speech
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

73. Learning Objectives
Describe how body position can affect speech breathing patterns.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

74. Role of Position on Breathing
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

75. Role of Position on Breathing
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

76. Role of Position on Breathing
Sustained Vowel
Upright Position
Sustained Vowel
Supine Position

77. Learning Objectives
Describe how various respiratory impairments can lead to diminished speech production abilities.
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

78. Clinical considerations
Parkinson’s Disease
Cerebellar Disease
Spinal cord Injury
Mechanical Ventilation
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

79. Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Rigidity, hypo (small) & brady (slow) kinesia
Speech breathing features
 muscular rigidity   stiffness of rib cage
 abdominal involvement relative to rib cage
 ability to generate Ptrach
 modulation Ptrach
Speech is soft and monotonous
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

80. Cerebellar Disease
dyscoordination, inappropriate scaling and timing of movements
Speech breathing features
Chest wall movements w/o changes in LV (paradoxical movements)
 fine control of Ptrach
Abnormal start and end LV (below REL)
speech has a robotic quality
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

81. Spinal cord injury Remember those spinal nerves…
Paralysis of many muscles of respiration
Speech breathing features
variable depending on specific damage
 abdominal size during speech
 control during expiration resulting in difficulty generating consistent Ptrach and modulating Ptrach
Treatment: Support the abdomen (truss)
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

82. Mechanical Ventilation
Breaths are provided by a machine
Speech breathing features
 control over all aspects of breath support
Length of inspiratory/expiratory phase
Large, but inconsistent Ptrach
Inspiration at linguistically inappropriate places
Speech breathing often occurs on inspiration
Treatment: “speaking valves”, ventilator adjustment, behavioral training
SPPA 4030 Speech Science

83. Other disorders that may affect speech breathing
Voice disorders
Hearing impairment
Fluency disorders
Motoneuron disease (ALS)
SPPA 4030 Speech Science