Summary
The avian vocal tract offers bioinspiration for the improvement of available vocal prosthetics, which do not currently capture the frequency of the patient’s natural voice. The avian vocal organ, the syrinx, is anatomically different from the human larynx, relying on vibratory membranes within the walls of the trachea, rather than vocal folds within the larynx. The avian system is capable of a much greater range of vocal diversity, suggesting unique ways in which birds produce and modify sounds. The objective of this fellowship is to directly observe and measure the anatomy, biomechanics, airflow, and acoustics of birdsong in vivo and understand how birds physically produce such vocal diversity. We will overcome previous methodological challenges by using a unique combination of cutting-edge methods. First, avian vocal tract anatomy will be described and quantified in 3D, using digital dissection techniques across three bird groups of vocal interest (songbirds, parrots, and doves). It will allow us to accurately determine which anatomical characteristics are linked to which sound characteristics. Next, interactions between the biomechanics of the vocal system (e.g., kinematics, volume changes), the airflow dynamics inside and outside the oral cavity, and the resulting sound production will be measured for the first time in vivo. We will use state-of-the-art biplanar x-ray video methods and 3D imaging of the resulting airflow, synchronized with acoustics, at the level of the individual. By combining in vivo results with the corresponding anatomy, we can directly observe and quantify structure-function relationships, and understand, rather than infer, how the components of the vocal tract work together to modulate sound. This project will be foundational for both the comprehension of the evolution of birdsong and the development of vocal prosthetics that will restore a natural-sounding voice to people who lost their voice.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101030215 |
| Start date: | 01-09-2021 |
| End date: | 31-08-2023 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 196 707,84 Euro - 196 707,00 Euro |
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Original description
The avian vocal tract offers bioinspiration for the improvement of available vocal prosthetics, which do not currently capture the frequency of the patient’s natural voice. The avian vocal organ, the syrinx, is anatomically different from the human larynx, relying on vibratory membranes within the walls of the trachea, rather than vocal folds within the larynx. The avian system is capable of a much greater range of vocal diversity, suggesting unique ways in which birds produce and modify sounds. The objective of this fellowship is to directly observe and measure the anatomy, biomechanics, airflow, and acoustics of birdsong in vivo and understand how birds physically produce such vocal diversity. We will overcome previous methodological challenges by using a unique combination of cutting-edge methods. First, avian vocal tract anatomy will be described and quantified in 3D, using digital dissection techniques across three bird groups of vocal interest (songbirds, parrots, and doves). It will allow us to accurately determine which anatomical characteristics are linked to which sound characteristics. Next, interactions between the biomechanics of the vocal system (e.g., kinematics, volume changes), the airflow dynamics inside and outside the oral cavity, and the resulting sound production will be measured for the first time in vivo. We will use state-of-the-art biplanar x-ray video methods and 3D imaging of the resulting airflow, synchronized with acoustics, at the level of the individual. By combining in vivo results with the corresponding anatomy, we can directly observe and quantify structure-function relationships, and understand, rather than infer, how the components of the vocal tract work together to modulate sound. This project will be foundational for both the comprehension of the evolution of birdsong and the development of vocal prosthetics that will restore a natural-sounding voice to people who lost their voice.Status
TERMINATEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2020Update Date
28-04-2024
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