Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP), Model 5105

The Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) is the gold standard software tool for quantitative acoustic assessment of voice quality, calculating more than 22 parameters on a single vocalization.

Based on extensive field testing with normal and disordered voices, MDVP is unique in its ability to work accurately over a wide range of pathological voices. Its normative references are based on an extensive database of normal and disordered voices; and results are graphically and numerically compared to these normative threshold values. MDVP quickly and easily provides a revealing snapshot of voice quality.

The Need for MDVP

As revealed in the professional literature on voice analysis, one or two voicing parameters alone (e.g., only jitter and shimmer) are not sufficient to accurately describe an aberration in a patient’s voice. Jitter values may be within normal limits in a patient who demonstrates a breathy voice quality, and periodic modulation over many glottal periods (tremor) should be differentiated from cycle-to-cycle modulation. Similarly, turbulence caused by incomplete glottal closure can contribute a different type of “noise” compared to noise from aperiodic vibration; and, long-term periodic modulation of amplitude (amplitude tremor) may have physiological causes that differ from those of long-term periodic modulation of frequency. With the multi-dimensional analysis approach of the MDVP, the clinician can assess more comprehensively the patient’s pathology and can track changes over time. Additionally, because the MDVP presents cycle-to-cycle frequency modulation (i.e., jitter or pitch perturbation) in many different variations (e.g., absolute jitter, RAP, PPQ), the results can be readily compared with results described in the professional literature. The correlation between the acoustic analysis and perceptual attributes of a voice can be fully explored with the Disordered Voice Database, Model 4337, which contains MDVP results and audio samples from 700 patients.

Easy to Use

MDVP is designed to be quick and easy to use. Four function keys can be used to perform all analyses, built-in protocols, and displays. A report generator is included for direct printing. The radial graph can be inserted in word processing documents (e.g., Microsoft® Word). With this feature, a comprehensive report that contains examiner comments, the graphic display, and numerical results can be easily generated.

Robustness

It is relatively easy to extract voicing parameters from healthy voices. The challenge is to extract parameters from disordered voices. This is where MDVP excels. Using a two-stage process, MDVP is able to extract reliable measurements of voicing behavior from a wide range of voices.

Well Established

Since its introduction, MDVP has garnered numerous references in peer-reviewed professional journals establishing its reliability, the value of multiple parameters, and its efficacy. The new Windows version has been rigorously compared to earlier versions to ensure comparable results. A bibliography is available from KayPENTAX.

Advanced and Basic Version

MDVP is delivered with both a basic version for quick operation of standard voicing analysis and an advanced version with a full set of MDVP commands and Multi-Speech/CSL for Windows commands. This allows researchers to apply all of the advanced analysis features of these programs (e.g., narrow-band spectrogram) while in MDVP.

Choice of Graphic Comparison

The new Windows version of MDVP can graphically compare the patient’s voice parameters with normative thresholds or with average norms and standard deviations.

Hardware Recommendation

MDVP will operate with either Multi-Speech or CSL. Note that it is strongly advised that a professional hardware system (e.g., CSL, DAT, ADAT, etc.) be used to accurately acquire signals for voice analysis.