OVERLAP OF HEARING AND VOICING RANGES IN SINGING
Eric J. Hunter; Ingo R. Titze
ABSTRACT
The frequency and absolute intensity ranges (in dB SPL at one meter) of voice production in trained and untrained singers were superimposed onto the average normal hearing range. The vocal output for all subjects was shown both in Voice Range Profiles (fundamental frequency only) and Spectral Level Profiles (all harmonic frequencies). Trained singers appeared to take greater advantage of the dynamic range of the auditory system with harmonic energy (45 percent of the hearing range compared to 38 percent for untrained). In particular, trained singers were able to exploit of the most sensitive part of the hearing range (around 3 to 4 kHz) through the use of a vocal ring or singer’s formant. The professional vocalists’ average maximum third-octave spectral band intensity was 95 dB SPL at one meter, compared to 80 dB SPL for untrained vocalists.