Robin A Samlan

Interests

Research

Developing theoretically motivated and evidence-based voice assessment and treatment that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to individuals with breathy or weak voices due to aging, vocal fold paralysis, and Parkinson disease.

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

• Plant, R. L., & Samlan, R. (2005). Visual documentation of the larynx. In Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery(pp 1989--2007).

Journals/Publications

• Döllinger, M., Schraut, T., Henrich, L. A., Chhetri, D., Echternach, M., Johnson, A. M., Kunduk, M., Maryn, Y., Patel, R. R., Samlan, R., Semmler, M., & Schützenberger, A. (2022). Re-Training of Convolutional Neural Networks for Glottis Segmentation in Endoscopic High-Speed Videos. Applied sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 12(19).
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  Endoscopic high-speed video (HSV) systems for visualization and assessment of vocal fold dynamics in the larynx are diverse and technically advancing. To consider resulting "concepts shifts" for neural network (NN)-based image processing, re-training of already trained and used NNs is necessary to allow for sufficiently accurate image processing for new recording modalities. We propose and discuss several re-training approaches for convolutional neural networks (CNN) being used for HSV image segmentation. Our baseline CNN was trained on the BAGLS data set (58,750 images). The new BAGLS-RT data set consists of additional 21,050 images from previously unused HSV systems, light sources, and different spatial resolutions. Results showed that increasing data diversity by means of preprocessing already improves the segmentation accuracy (mIoU + 6.35%). Subsequent re-training further increases segmentation performance (mIoU + 2.81%). For re-training, finetuning with dynamic knowledge distillation showed the most promising results. Data variety for training and additional re-training is a helpful tool to boost HSV image segmentation quality. However, when performing re-training, the phenomenon of catastrophic forgetting should be kept in mind, i.e., adaption to new data while forgetting already learned knowledge.
• Kreiman, J., Lee, Y., Garellek, M., Samlan, R., & Gerratt, B. R. (2021). Validating a psychoacoustic model of voice quality. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 149(1), 457.
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  No agreed-upon method currently exists for objective measurement of perceived voice quality. This paper describes validation of a psychoacoustic model designed to fill this gap. This model includes parameters to characterize the harmonic and inharmonic voice sources, vocal tract transfer function, fundamental frequency, and amplitude of the voice, which together serve to completely quantify the integral sound of a target voice sample. In experiment 1, 200 voices with and without diagnosed vocal pathology were fit with the model using analysis-by-synthesis. The resulting synthetic voice samples were not distinguishable from the original voice tokens, suggesting that the model has all the parameters it needs to fully quantify voice quality. In experiment 2 parameters that model the harmonic voice source were removed one by one, and the voice tokens were re-synthesized with the reduced model. In every case the lower-dimensional models provided worse perceptual matches to the quality of the natural tokens than did the original set, indicating that the psychoacoustic model cannot be reduced in dimensionality without loss of fit to the data. Results confirm that this model can be validly applied to quantify voice quality in clinical and research applications.
• Badwal, A., Borgstrom, M., Samlan, R. A., & Miller, J. E. (2020). Middle age, a key time point for changes in birdsong and human voice. Behavioral neuroscience.
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  Voice changes caused by natural aging and neurodegenerative diseases are prevalent in the aging population and diminish quality of life. Most treatments involve behavioral interventions that target the larynx because of a limited understanding of central brain mechanisms. The songbird offers a unique entry point into studying age-related changes in vocalizations because of a well-characterized neural circuitry for song that shares homology to human vocal control areas. Previously we established a translational dictionary for evaluating acoustic features of birdsong in the context of human voice measurements. In the present study, we conduct extensive analyses of birdsongs from young, middle-aged, and old male zebra finches. Our findings show that birdsongs become louder with age, and changes in periodic energy occur at middle age but are transient; songs appear to stabilize in old birds. Furthermore, faster songs are detected in finches at middle age compared with young and old finches. Vocal disorders in humans emerge at middle age, but the underlying brain pathologies are not well identified. The current findings will motivate future investigations using the songbird model to identify possible brain mechanisms involved in human vocal disorders of aging. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
• Badwal, A., Poertner, J., Samlan, R. A., & Miller, J. E. (2018). Common Terminology and Acoustic Measures for Human Voice and Birdsong. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, 1-10.
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  The zebra finch is used as a model to study the neural circuitry of auditory-guided human vocal production. The terminology of birdsong production and acoustic analysis, however, differs from human voice production, making it difficult for voice researchers of either species to navigate the literature from the other. The purpose of this research note is to identify common terminology and measures to better compare information across species.
• LANE, C., Black, M., IKUMA, T., KUNDUK, M., & Samlan, R. A. (2018). Vocal fold vibration in older adults with and without Age-Related Dysphonia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(3), 1039-1050..
• Samlan, R. A., Black, M. A., Abidov, M., Mohler, J., & Fain, M. (2018). Frailty Syndrome, Cognition, and Dysphonia in the Elderly. Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation.
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  The purpose of the current study is to determine the relation of frailty syndrome to acoustic measures of voice quality and voice-related handicap.
• Samlan, R. A., Kunduk, M., Ikuma, T., Black, M., & Lane, C. (2018). Vocal Fold Vibration in Older Adults With and Without Age-Related Dysphonia. American journal of speech-language pathology, 27(3), 1039-1050.
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  The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which 7 measures of glottal area timing and regularity differ between older adults with and without age-related dysphonia (ARD).
• Samlan, R. A., & Story, B. H. (2017). Influence of Left-Right Asymmetries on Voice Quality in Simulated Paramedian Vocal Fold Paralysis. JOURNAL OF SPEECH LANGUAGE AND HEARING RESEARCH, 60(2), 306-321.
• Garellek, M., Samlan, R., Gerratt, B. R., & Kreiman, J. (2016). Modeling the voice source in terms of spectral slopes. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 139(3), 1404-10.
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  A psychoacoustic model of the voice source spectrum is proposed. The model is characterized by four spectral slope parameters: the difference in amplitude between the first two harmonics (H1-H2), the second and fourth harmonics (H2-H4), the fourth harmonic and the harmonic nearest 2 kHz in frequency (H4-2 kHz), and the harmonic nearest 2 kHz and that nearest 5 kHz (2 kHz-5 kHz). As a step toward model validation, experiments were conducted to establish the acoustic and perceptual independence of these parameters. In experiment 1, the model was fit to a large number of voice sources. Results showed that parameters are predictable from one another, but that these relationships are due to overall spectral roll-off. Two additional experiments addressed the perceptual independence of the source parameters. Listener sensitivity to H1-H2, H2-H4, and H4-2 kHz did not change as a function of the slope of an adjacent component, suggesting that sensitivity to these components is robust. Listener sensitivity to changes in spectral slope from 2 kHz to 5 kHz depended on complex interactions between spectral slope, spectral noise levels, and H4-2 kHz. It is concluded that the four parameters represent non-redundant acoustic and perceptual aspects of voice quality.
• Kreiman, J., Gerratt, B. R., Garellek, M., Samlan, R., & Zhang, Z. (2014). Toward a unified theory of voice production and perception. Loquens, 1(1), e009.
• Samlan, R. A., & Kreiman, J. (2014). Perceptual consequences of changes in epilaryngeal area and shape. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 136(5), 2798--2806.
• Samlan, R. A., & Manternach, J. N. (2014). Teacher self-preservation: tips for maintaining your best voice.. Antiphon: The magazine of the Arizona Chapter American Choral Directors Association, 18(2), 5-9.
• Samlan, R. A., Story, B. H., Bunton, K., & Lotto, A. J. (2014). Acoustic and perceptual effects of left-right laryngeal asymmetries based on computational modeling. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, 57(5), 1619-37.
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  Computational modeling was used to examine the consequences of 5 different laryngeal asymmetries on acoustic and perceptual measures of vocal function.
• Samlan, R. A., Story, B. H., Lotto, A. J., & Bunton, K. (2014). Acoustic and Perceptual Effects of Left--Right Laryngeal Asymmetries Based on Computational Modeling. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 57(5), 1619--1637.
• Campbell, E. O., Samlan, R. A., McMullen, N. T., Cook, S., Smiley-Jewell, S., & Barkmeier-Kraemer, J. (2013). Developmental changes in the connective tissues of the porcine recurrent laryngeal nerve. Journal of anatomy, 222(6), 625--633.
• Garellek, M., Samlan, R. A., Kreiman, J., & Gerratt, B. (2013). Perceptual interactions among components of a spectral-domain voice source model. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 134(5), 4071--4071.
• Garellek, M., Samlan, R. A., Kreiman, J., & Gerratt, B. R. (2013). Perceptual sensitivity to a model of the source spectrum. Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, 19(1), 060157.
• Samlan, R. A., & Kreiman, J. (2013). Perceptual consequences of changes in epilaryngeal area and shape. Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, 19(1), 060159.
• Samlan, R. A., Story, B. H., & Bunton, K. (2013). Relation of perceived breathiness to laryngeal kinematics and acoustic measures based on computational modeling. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 56(4), 1209--1223.
• Samlan, R. A. (2012). Kinematic modeling of asymmetric vocal fold vibration.
• Samlan, R. A., & Story, B. H. (2011). Relation of structural and vibratory kinematics of the vocal folds to two acoustic measures of breathy voice based on computational modeling. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 54(5), 1267--1283.
• Hillel, A. T., Lin, L., Samlan, R., Starmer, H., Leahy, K., & Flint, P. W. (2010). Inhaled triamcinolone with proton pump inhibitor for treatment of vocal process granulomas: a series of 67 granulomas. Annals of Otology, Rhinology \& Laryngology, 119(5), 319.
• Samlan, R., & Barkmeir-kraemer, J. (2010). Voice evaluation. Cumming’s Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgury, 1, 825--831.
• Samlan, R., GArtner-Schmidt, J., Kunduk, M., & others, . (2010). Visualization of the larynx. Cummings orolaryngology head and neck surgery, 1.
• Webster, K. T., Samlan, R. A., Jones, B., Bunton, K., & Tufano, R. P. (2010). Supracricoid partial laryngectomy: swallowing, voice, and speech outcomes. Annals of Otology, Rhinology \& Laryngology, 119(1), 10--16.
• Hillel, A. T., Salman, R., & Flint, P. W. (2009). Diagnosis and evaluation of laryngeal paralysis and paresis. Neurologic disorders of the larynx, 2.
• Samlan, R. A., Story, B. H., & Bunton, K. (2009). Kinematic modeling and acoustic measures of breathy voice.. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 126(4), 2221--2221.
• Farrag, T. Y., Samlan, R. A., Lin, F. R., & Tufano, R. P. (2006). The utility of evaluating true vocal fold motion before thyroid surgery. The Laryngoscope, 116(2), 235--238.
• Saito, K., Lehar, M., Li, Z. B., Braga, N., King, A. D., Samlan, R. A., & Flint, P. W. (2006). High efficiency gene delivery into laryngeal muscle with bidirectional electroporation. Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, 135(2), 209--214.
• Samlan, R. (2006). Voice Analysis. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Cummings.
• Li, Z., Lehar, M., Samlan, R., & Flint, P. W. (2005). Proteomic analysis of rat laryngeal muscle following denervation. Proteomics, 5(18), 4764--4776.
• Samlan, R. A., & Webster, K. T. (2002). Swallowing and speech therapy after definitive treatment for laryngeal cancer. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 35(5), 1115--1133.
• Bassich-zeren, C., & Samlan, R. A. (2000).

  A Voice From the Clinic: Artifact in Voice Intensity Measurements

  . Perspectives on Voice and Voice Disorders, 10(1), 4-6. doi:10.1044/vvd10.1.4
• Ford, C. N., Samlan, R., & Robbins, J. (1999). Voice restoration by tracheo-tracheolaryngeal shunt after laryngotracheal diversion for chronic aspiration. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 10(4), 303--304.
• Samlan, R. A., & Weismer, G. (1995). The relationship of selected perceptual measures of diadochokinesis to speech intelligibility in dysarthric speakers with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 4(2), 9--13.

Proceedings Publications

• Chen, G., Samlan, R. A., Kreiman, J., & Alwan, A. (2013). Investigating the relationship between glottal area waveform shape and harmonic magnitudes through computational modeling and laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy.. In INTERSPEECH, 3216--3220.

Presentations

• Samlan, R. A., & Marrone, N. L. (2019, November). Addressing Age Related Changes in Perception and Production. Annual Convention. Orlando, FL: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Black, M., Courey, M., Goldstein, S. A., Samlan, R. A., & Yip, H. (2017, january). Laryngology Panel. ENT in the Desert. Tucson, AZ: Department of Otolarybngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Arizona SOM.
• Black, M., Courey, M., Goldstein, S. A., Samlan, R. A., & Yip, H. (2018, Spring). Laryngology Panel. ENT in the Desert. Tucson, AZ: Department of Otolarybngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Arizona SOM.
• Samlan, R. A. (2018, March). Frailty, cognition, and aging voice. UA SLHS Colloquium.
• Samlan, R. A. (2018, Summer). Rethinking assessment and management of age-related dysphonias. Seminar at Collier Center for Communication Disorders, University of Texas - Dallas.
• Samlan, R. A., & Black, M. (2018, Fall). Frailty, Cognition, Age, and Voice. Fall Voice Conference. Seattle, WA.
• Dailey, S., Bingcang, C., Maron, L., Rubin, A., & Samlan, R. A. (2017, June). Case studies in laryngology – Pushing the limits. The Voice Foundation Annual Symposium (Invited). Philadelphia, PA.
• Gartner-Schmidt, J., & Samlan, R. A. (2016, October). Myth busters: Voice Therapy Edition. SLHS Colloquium.
• Samlan, R. A. (2016, April). Normal aging voice and age-related dysphonia: how are they different?. Southwest Laryngology Conference. Scottsdale, AZ: Mayo Clinic.
• Samlan, R. A. (2016, February). Voice evaluation and therapy for glottal insufficiency. ENT in the Desert. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery.
• Samlan, R. A. (2016, November). Mechanisms of Breathy Voice Production. University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery.
• Samlan, R. A. (2015, April). Airflow management in voice therapy. The Performance Voice Conference. Salt Lake City, UT.
• Kreiman, J., Samlan, R. A., Chen, G., Gerratt, B. R., & Zhgang, Z. (2014, April). The relationship of glottal area and glottal flow to voice quality. International Conference on Voice Physiology and Biomechanics. Salt Lake City, UT.
• Manternach, J. N., & Samlan, R. A. (2014, January). Practical voice care for the professional voice user (That Means YOU). Arizona Music Educators Association 75th Annual In-Service Conference. Mesa, AZ: Arizona Music Educators Association.
• Manternach, J. N., & Samlan, R. A. (2014, June). Effects of varied imagery instructions on acoustic and perceptual meaures of two sung vowels. 43rd Annual Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice. Philadelphia, PA: The Voice Foundation.
• Nanjundeswaran, C., Bassich, C., & Samlan, R. A. (2014, November). Student training in a university setting voice clinic: how do we do it?. Annual Convention. Orlando, FL: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Samlan, R. A. (2014, April). Production & Perception of the Aging Voice. Neuroscience Data Blitz. Tucson, AZ: UA Department of Neuroscience.
• Samlan, R. A. (2014, August). How voice production influences voice quality. Lecture. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery.
• Samlan, R. A. (2014, March). Speech Therapy for Common Vocal Problems. ENT in the Desert. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery.
• Samlan, R. A. (2014, March). Voice Rehabilitation: Speech Language Pathology Perspective. ENT in the Desert. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery.
• Samlan, R. A. (2014, September). CantoSano. Speech Working Group. Tucson, AZ: UA Department of Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences.
• Samlan, R. A. (2014, September). Voice Therapy in Children. GBC Workshop. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona's Grunewald-Blitz Clinic & Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences.
• Samlan, R. A., & Manternach, J. N. (2014, November). Effects of varied imagery instructions on voice quality for untrained singers. Annual Convention. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Samlan, R. A., Samlan, R. A., Story, B. H., Story, B. H., Samlan, R. A., & Story, B. H. (2014, October). Influence of left-right asymmetries on voice quality in paramedian vocal fold paralysis. The Fall Voice Conference. San Antonio, TX.
• Samlan, R. A., Story, B. H., Bunton, K. E., & Lotto, A. J. (2013, November). The acoustic and perceptual effects of left-right asymmetries based on computational modeling. American Speech Language and Hearing Association Convention. Chicago, IL.
• Samlan, R. A., Story, B. H., Lotto, A. J., & Bunton, K. E. (2013, November). Acoustic and perceptual effects of left-right asymmetries in simulated vocal fold paralysis. American Speech Language and Hearing Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.

Poster Presentations

• Badwal, A., Samlan, R. A., & Miller, J. E. (2019, May/Spring). Birdsong as a Model for Aging Voice. UA NSCS Honors Theses Poster Presentations. University of Arizona.
• Marrone, N. L., & Samlan, R. A. (2017, November). How Background Noise During Dialogues Alters Production & Comprehension for Older Adults. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Los Angeles, CA.
• Samlan, R. A., & Black, M. (2017, November). Voice Quality in Older Adults With & Without Frailty Syndrome. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (Submitted). Los Angeles, CA.
• Samlan, R. A., & Black, M. (2016, October). Frailty Syndrome, Aging, and Voice Quality. The Fall Voice Conference. Scottsdale, AZ.
• Samlan, R. A., Kunduk, M., & Ikuma, T. (2016, December). Vocal fold vibration and voice quality in the elderly. Acoustical Society of America & Japanese Acoustical Society Joint Meeting. Honolulu, HI: ASA.
• Samlan, R. A., Scholer, D., Monti, S., & Black, M. (2016, April). Age-related dysphonia is different than normal aging voice: preliminary evidence. Southwest Laryngology Conference. Scottsdale, AZ: Mayo Clinic.
• Scholer, D. M., Samlan, R. A., Abidov, M., & Dauphinais, K. E. (2016, October). Aerodynamic and acoustic measures in the passagio: indicators of vocal concern?. Pan American Vocology Association. Scottsdale, AZ: PAVA.
• Bunton, K. E., Samlan, R. A., & Neely, K. A. (2015, November). The impact of the Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) physical therapy program on speech production. American Speech Language and Hearing Association Annual Convention. Denver, CO: American Speech Language and Hearing Association.
• dos Santos Gomes, J. K., & Samlan, R. A. (2015, October). The pressure required for tube phonation based on differences in straw, water volume, and loudness. XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de fonoaudiologia. Salvador, Brasil.
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  Poster presentation with undergraduate student who completed research rotation in my lab.

Reviews

• Black, M., Samlan, R. A., Samlan, R. A., & Black, M. (2016. Presbyphonia: The Aging Voice. Elder Care: A resource for interprofessional providers..