The Voice Range Profile: Its Function, Applications, Pitfalls and Potential

An overview is given of the current status of the computerised voice range profile (VRP) as a voice measurement paradigm. Its operating principles are described, and sources of errors and variability are discussed. The features of the VRP contour and its characterisation are described. Methods for performing statistics on VRP contour and interior data are considered. Examples are given of clinical, pedagogical and research applications. Finally, issues with the models used to interpret VRP data are discussed. It is concluded that, while the VRP offers a convenient frame of reference for a multitude of voice assessment metrics, it also exposes the many degrees of freedom in the voice to an extent that challenges us to improve our models of how the voice functions over a large range and in a dynamic setting.