Numerical simulation of self-sustained oscillation of a voice-producing element based on Navier-Stokes equations and the finite element method

Surgical removal of the larynx results in radically reduced production of voice and speech. To improve voice quality a voice-producing element (VPE) is developed, based on the lip principle, called after the lips of a musician while playing a brass instrument. To optimize the VPE, a numerical model is developed. In this model, the finite element method is used to describe the mechanical behavior of the VPE. The flow is described by two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The interaction between VPE and airflow is modeled by placing the grid of the VPE model in the grid of the aerodynamical model, and requiring continuity of forces and velocities. By applying and increasing pressure to the numerical model, pulses comparable to glottal volume velocity waveforms are obtained. By variation of geometric parameters their influence can be determined. To validate this numerical model, an in vitro test with a prototype of the VPE is performed. Experimental and numerical results show an acceptable agreement.