Voice problems are a common occupational hazard of teaching school, yet few studies exist that have objectively evaluated treatment approaches aimed at rehabilitating these occupation-related voice disorders. This randomized clinical trial used patient-based outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness three programs. Sixty-four teachers with disorders were randomly assigned 1 3 groups: amplification using ChatterVox portable amplifier (VA; n = 25), resonance therapy (RT; 19), and...

Voice problems are common among schoolteachers. This prospective, randomized clinical trial used patient-based treatment outcomes measures combined with acoustic analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of two programs. Forty-four voice-disordered teachers were randomly assigned one three groups: voice amplification using ChatterVox portable amplifier (VA, n = 15), vocal hygiene (VH, and a nontreatment control group (n 14). Before after 6-week phase, all completed: (a) Handicap Index (VHI), an...

Objectives Presbylaryngis, or aging of the larynx, can adversely affect vocal function and quality life in elderly. This preliminary investigation examined effects exercises, a physiologic voice therapy approach, as primary treatment for presbylaryngis. Methods Nine consecutive elderly patients with presbylaryngis (2 female, 7 male) underwent 6-week course employing exercises. Pretherapy-versus-posttherapy comparisons were made self-ratings handicap phonatory effort level, well...

Objectives: This investigation explored the onset, progression, socioemotional effects, and treatment outcomes of spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological approach was used to examine questionnaire responses from 150 individuals with SD. Results: Symptoms SD (mean age at 46 years) began gradually in 76% cases were progressive (ie, failed plateau) 34% cases. Botulinum toxin (Botox) helped attenuate voice symptoms 91% cases; however, scores on Voice-Related Quality...

Purpose This investigation examined the effects of nebulized hypertonic saline, isotonic saline (IS), and sterile (hypotonic) water on phonation threshold pressure (PTP) self-perceived phonatory effort (PPE) following a surface laryngeal dehydration challenge. Method In double-blind, randomized experimental trial, 60 vocally healthy women ( n = 15 per group) underwent desiccation challenge involving oral breathing for min using medical-grade dry air (RH<1%). Three four groups then...

Purpose To examine the effects of nebulized isotonic saline (IS) versus sterile water (SW) on self-perceived phonatory effort (PPE) and phonation threshold pressure (PTP) following a surface laryngeal dehydration challenge in classically trained sopranos. Method In double-blind, within-subject crossover design, 34 sopranos breathed dry air (relative humidity < 1%) transorally for 15 min then 3 mL IS or SW, experienced no-treatment control condition over consecutive weeks. PPE PTP were...

To compare objective measures of swallowing function with patient reports swallowing-related quality life 1 year after treatment oropharyngeal cancer chemoradiation therapy.Patients seen for follow-up at least carcinoma therapy were sequentially approached and asked to participate in the study.Maximum pharyngeal constriction, hyoid elevation, upper esophageal sphincter opening size, bolus transit time measured from modified barium studies a group 31 patients carcinoma. Measures made liquid...

Purpose This study examined differences in selected acoustic measures of speech and voice according to age sex across families. Method Participants included 169 individuals, 79 men 90 women, from 18 families, ranging 17 87 years. reported no history articulation disorders, stroke or active neurologic disease, severe-to-profound hearing loss. They read aloud two passages facilitate examination the following parameters: fricative spectral moments (center gravity, standard deviation, skewness,...

Objectives/Hypothesis This study examined the effects of a laryngeal desiccation challenge and two nebulized hydration treatments on phonation threshold pressure (PTP), vocal effort, throat dryness in patients with chronic airway dryness. Study Design Double‐blind, within‐subjects crossover design. Methods Eleven individuals Primary Sjögren's Syndrome received 15‐minute (breathing dry air–<1% relative humidity–transorally), followed by isotonic saline or water (3 mL) 2 consecutive weeks....

Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: This epidemiology study examined risk factors uniquely associated with spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Study Design: Case‐control. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 150 patients SD (with and without coexisting vocal tremor) 136 other structural, neurological, functional voice disorders (excluding tremor). Questions included personal family medical histories, environmental exposures, trauma, illnesses, use habits, the Short Form 36. Results: Several were...

Purpose The primary aim of this study was to obtain high-quality acoustic normative data in natural field environments for female voices. A secondary examine measurement variability environments. Method This employed a within-subject repeated-measures experimental design that included 45 young adults with normal Participants were stratified by age (18–23, 24–29, and 30–35 years). After initial evaluation instruction, participants completed voice recordings during seven consecutive days using...

Haemophilus influenzae type b epiglottitis still occurs despite immunisation, and requires emergency intubation In the United Kingdom, infection with has considerably declined since introduction of conjugated H influenza vaccine in 1992, although isolated failures do occur. In countries without routine immunisation against disease, it continues to be a major cause morbidity mortality. We report on three children who presented over month period due infection. Each child had been fully...

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence voice disorders in college students and their effect on as shown by quality-of-life indicators.A cross-sectional survey completed 545 2012. included 10 questions from Voice-Related Quality Life (V-RQOL), selected symptoms, indicators functional health well-being based Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36).Twenty-nine percent (mean age, 22.7 years) reported a history disorder. Hoarseness most prevalent symptom, but not correlated with...

This study examined the effects of a topical vocal fold hydration treatment on voice production over time.Prospective, longitudinal, within-subjects A (baseline), B (treatment), (withdrawal/reversal), (treatment) experimental design.Eight individuals with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), an autoimmune disease causing laryngeal dryness, completed 8-week A-B-A-B experiment. Participants performed twice-daily audio recordings connected speech and sustained vowels then rated effort, mouth throat...