The influence of glottal and respiratory factors on aerosol emission during phonation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Speech-driven aerosol generation plays a key role in airborne disease transmission, yet the physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Beyond vocal-fold vibration, airflow and glottal configuration may be key determinants. We tested how phonation type affects aerosol generation while accounting for ventilatory output estimated from exhaled CO₂.

Methods

Five healthy female adults (22-43 years) sustained vowels across six phonation types: modal register, glottal fry, falsetto register, forced whisper, loud modal register, and vowels preceded by/h/. Aerosol concentration and size distribution (0.1-20 µm) were measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS). Laryngoscopy, conducted in a separate session, was used to estimate the normalized glottal gap dur

SUBMITTER: Hilger A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12680239 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature