Fifteen nonsmoking and fifteen smoking females 19 to 36 years of age were evaluated on measures of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), jitter, shimmer, and speaking fundamental frequency (F0). The results indicated that: 1) there is a significant difference between female smokers and nonsmokers on measures of SNR, mean, and maximum F0 and, 2) there is no significant difference between female smokers and nonsmokers on measures of jitter, shimmer and minimum F0 . The SNR was found to be a powerful tool which is capable of distinguishing subtle vocal characteristics between the subject groups. It would appear that cigarette smoking may have an impact on the voice before distinct laryngeal pathologies are present.

The aim of this study was to describe the laryngeal anatomy, perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic vocal characteristics of school-aged children with and without ADHD. The predisposition that children with ADHD have for laryngeal injuries are recurrent in nature and are more often than not overlooked as laryngitis. Previous studies have reported varied results on the prevalence rates of paediatric VFN within the school-aged ADHD population. A static, two-group comparison was used in the study to investigate the clinical, perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic vocal characteristics of children between 7 and 9 years old with and without ADHD. The study replicated the protocol as executed by Barona-Lleo and Fernandez (2016) with additions. The Multidimensional Voice Program (MDVP) and the Voice Range Profile (VRP) as additions to the assessment of vocal parameters were used with which comparable dysphonia severity index (DSI) scores were calculated. Once-off clinical, perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic voice assessments were conducted on 20 age-gender matched participants. The difference in assessment results between the vocal characteristics of children without a history of ADHD (control group) and those of children with ADHD (ADHD group) was then investigated and described. Forty five percent (n=9) of the total sample population had laryngeal pathology. Comparable parent reported etiological voice symptoms and vocal habits were seen across both groups. Both groups performed similarly across both perceptual and aerodynamic voice assessments. Acoustically, the control group achieved significantly higher producible pitches than the ADHD group (p=0.028) and were found to have more dysphonic DSI scores than their ADHD group peers (p=0.034). Prepubertal, school-aged children with or without ADHD may have similar vocal characteristics than previously thought. This variation in school-aged children warrants further research into larger sample sizes with this population with a special focus on the effect that CNS stimulants may have on the voice. / Dissertation (MCommunication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / MCommunication Pathology / Unrestricted

Although some studies have investigated the correlation between sleeping habits andvoice problems, it is not completely established. Yet, studies have pointed out that bothsleep quality and sleep deprivation can increase the risk for developing voice problems.In order to observe any correlation, the present study aims to investigate sleep qualityand the number of sleeping hours in relation to subjective voice problems. An internetbasedsurvey was spread mostly on social media and recruited 146 participants betweenthe ages of 20-50. The survey contained questions regarding the participantsbackground as well as questions about sleeping habits and subjective voice problems.Voice problems were revealed to correlate with both sleeping habits and subjectivevoice problems for men. However, correlation analyses did not find any connectionsbetween sleeping habits and voice problems among women or the group as a whole. Apossible cause could be the generally low occurrence of both sleeping- and voiceproblems among the participants. Hence this study did not reveal any correlations withgeneral applicability between sleeping habits and voice problems. However, it did giveindications that sleeping habits and voice problems are co-existent among men. / Även om vissa studier har undersökt om sömnvanor och röstbesvär står i relation tillvarandra är något samband inte helt fastställt. Studier har ändock pekat på att bådesömnbrist och dålig sömnkvalitet kan öka risken för att utveckla röstbesvär.Förevarande studie syftar därför till att undersöka sömnkvalitet och antal sömntimmar irelation till upplevda röstbesvär för att utröna ett eventuellt samband mellan dessafaktorer. En internetbaserad enkät spreds främst på sociala medier och svarades av 146deltagare i åldrarna 20 till 50 år. Enkäten innehöll såväl frågor rörande deltagarnasbakgrund som frågor beträffande sömnvanor och upplevda röstbesvär. Röstbesvärvisade sig korrelera med både sömnkvalitet och antal sömntimmar hos män men intehos kvinnor. Att korrelationsanalyser inte anträffade några samband mellan sömnvanoroch röstbesvär på den totala gruppen eller hos kvinnor kan tänkas bero på den generelltsett låga förekomsten av både röst- och sömnbesvär hos deltagarna. Denna studieupptäckte således inga tydliga generaliserbara samband mellan sömnvanor ochröstbesvär, men gav indikationer på att sömnvanor och röstbesvär samvarierar hos män.

Efter min praktik år 2021 på det gymnasium jag själv studerade vid väcktes det intresse för rösthälsa jag alltid haft, men inte fördjupat mig i. Under praktikperioden träffade jag på ett flertal tjejer med mer eller mindre allvarliga röstproblem och det berörde mig att det fortfarande såg ut så, då jag under gymnasietiden också hade klasskompisar med röstproblem som förhindrade dem att delta i undervisningen. Studiens forskningsfråga formulerades på följande sätt för att söka förståelse angående vad som orsakar unga kvinnors röstproblem: Vilka biologiska och rösttekniska faktorer till röstproblem hos en ung kvinnlig sångerska framträder i forskning som väsentliga att beakta i sång- och musikundervisning? För att besvara forskningsfrågan utförde jag en systematisk litteraturstudie med kvalitativ ansats. Datainsamlingen gjordes från två databaser, JSTOR och EBSCO, vilket slutligen genererade totalt 12 vetenskapliga artiklar. Dokumenten analyserades och kodades först inom två huvudsakliga kategorier och sedan inom tio underkategorier. Resultatet visade att faktorerna är av komplex karaktär och att det oftast är en ansamling av faktorer som orsakar att en ung kvinnlig sångerska får röstproblem, men att konsekvenser av målbrottet och överansträngning var de, i litteraturen, oftast förekommande. Studien är utformad att ge en generell överblick över de biologiska och rösttekniska faktorer som tas upp i den utvalda litteraturen då tidigare forskning ofta är fördjupad i en eller några av faktorerna. En sammanställning, som jag försökt göra här, kan vara mer lättillgänglig och användbar i en musikpedagogs yrkesliv när denne möter en elev med röstproblem och inte har tid eller möjlighet att ge sig in i litteraturen för att börja hjälpa till.

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The primary purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of variable doses of home practice Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs) on attainment of pre-established maximum phonation time (MPT) goals in individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 with normal voice. A secondary purpose was to monitor for potentially toxic effects of high doses of VFEs. Three experimental groups completed a six-week VFE protocol and practiced twice daily. The low dose group performed each exercise once, the traditional group twice, and the high dose group four times. Results indicated significant change in VFE MPT for all three groups and higher goal attainment in the high dose group. Low doses appear insufficient to produce substantial change in voice production. Acoustic MPT improved most in the traditional dosage group, which also exhibited best maintenance and best overall outcomes. No toxic effects in vocal fold condition or phonation were observed or measured secondary to high VFE exposure.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of varying degrees of vocal tract semi-occlusion in Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs) on attainment of pre- established maximum phonation time (MPT) goals in individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 with normal voice. Individuals were randomized into three experimental groups: the traditional VFE with a semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT), modified /o/ with partial occlusion, and modified /a/ without significant occlusion. For six weeks, the participants completed the four exercises two times each, twice daily on corresponding vocal tract postures assigned by group. Results indicated significant change in percent of MPT goal attained for the traditional VFE group. Neither modified vocal tract group resulted in significant change. Decreased occlusion appears insufficient in producing substantial change in voice production despite increased compliance compared to the traditional VFE group.

TITLE: Therapy of voice disorders AUTHOR: Michaela Horáková DEPARTMENT: Department of special education SUPERVISOR: Mgr. Miroslava Kotvová ABSTRACT: This diploma thesis deals with the voice disorders and their treatment options. The character of the thesis is mostly theoretical and the thesis is divided into four general parts. The first one elaborates the anatomy and physiology of the vocal tract as a basis for understanding mechanisms of voice pathology development, the second one is devoted to voice disorders and their categorization, and the third part deals with their therapy, as the czech literature reflects it. The last part of this thesis is dedicated to voice disorders therapy in the United States with a practical focus on therapeutical program Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) widely used abroad during the treatment of voice disorders especially connected to Parkinson disease. The program is considered to be very effective and it is really popular outside of the Czech republic. LSVT is not well known in the Czech republic yet and there is actually only limited information devoted to this type of voice therapy. For this reason the thesis is based on analysis and comparison of the available foreign texts in order to inform the czech public about its theoretical basis, structure and system,...

Introduction: Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) is a condition associated with stridor, wheezing and dyspnea during exercise. The condition is commonly divided into two subtypes, glottic and supraglottic, depending on the level of the obstruction in the larynx. The obstruction may also occur in a combined form. At Uppsala University Hospital there are a few different treatment options for EILO but they are most commonly referred to speech and language pathology treatment (SLP-treatment).    Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the perceived effect of SLP-treatment on individuals with EILO and (2) to examine whether a difference in the perceived effect was due to type of EILO. A third aim (3) was to examine the presence of voice symptoms in this group.   Study designs:This study investigated separate objectives and reported results from both a retrospective cross-sectional study and a cross-sectional study.    Methods:51 participants with EILO were referred to SLP-treatment between year 2007 and 2017. 37 of the participants completed a survey on the perceived effect of SLP-treatment. All participants answered a questionnaire about voice symptoms, Screen6.   Results: A majority, 54% of the 37 participants who had undergone SLP-treatment, reported being helped by the treatment. In total, 51 participants diagnosed with EILO answered the survey, generating a response rate of 52%. The result showed that 31 % of the participants reported voice problems. Voice problems were defined as having two or more voice symptoms weekly or daily on Screen6.    Conclusions:(1) In this study a majority of the participants reported SLP-treatment as helpful. (2) No significant difference between the perceived effect of the intervention and type of EILO existed. (3) 31% of the participants had a voice problem according to Screen6. This number is higher, than in the general population and in other risk groups and may indicate a greater risk of voice disorders in individuals with EILO.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-09-28T12:24:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Ivy Roberta Martins Dias.pdf: 1964857 bytes, checksum: 99357590e6f88d21e8732171c1c63563 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-28T12:24:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ivy Roberta Martins Dias.pdf: 1964857 bytes, checksum: 99357590e6f88d21e8732171c1c63563 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Introduction - in the teaching profession, voice is a relevant factor for the teacher's performance in the classroom, especially as a constituent component of the teacher's identity as a worker. The teacher is among voice professionals with greater occurrence of complaints and voice disturbance caused by the use of voice in an inadequate context, either the environment or the work organization. Objectives - to analyze the occurrence of voice disturbance among the teachers of the state school of Manaus - AM and verify its association with demographic, functional, environmental and work organization characteristics. Methods - observational and cross - sectional research, in which teachers from elementary and middle school of the state teaching network of the city of Manaus participated. A stratified sample, composed of seven strata, each coming from one of the district coordinates of Manaus, was considered by statistical calculation. Sampling was done by conglomerate, where the schools drawn, and all teachers of those schools, were to be interviewed. The order of draw for schools of each coordination was respected. Participants answered the printed instruments: Vocal-Teacher Production Condition and Voice Disorder Screening Index. The descriptive analysis of the data was done through the means, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values of the quantitative variables and the absolute values and proportions for the qualitative variables. The chi-square and Fisher exact association tests were used for categorical variables to assess factors associated with voice disorders. Results - 453 teachers participated in the study, distributed in 39 schools, 310 female (68.4%), aged 41.3 years, 46.8% with a mean of 12.8 years and 54.1 % working in a single school. The characteristics of the work environment with the highest prevalence of inadequacy were the presence of noise in the school (80.6%) and in the work organization, the presence of stress (87.4%). The most frequent symptoms were dry throat (59.6%), hoarseness (58.7%), and fatigue on speech (50.8%). The presence of voice disorder was present in 46.1% of teachers. Factors associated with this presence were: demographic variables: female gender, younger age, marital status without some form of union; functional variables: none; work environment variables: inadequate conditions for: noise, noise intensity, absence of adequate rest space; and variables of work organization: inadequate conditions regarding: stressful work pace, repetitiveness at work, and all variables linked to situations of violence in the school. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of voice disturbance among teachers in the Manaus state school system, and factors such as presence of noise in school, noise intensity, stress and presence of violence are directly associated with the voice disorder found in these teachers / Introdução - na profissão docente, a voz é fator relevante para a atuação do professor em sala de aula, especialmente como componente constitutivo da identidade do professor como trabalhador. O professor está entre os profissionais da voz com maior ocorrência de queixas e distúrbio de voz ocasionados pelo uso da voz em contexto inadequado quer do ambiente, quer da organização do trabalho. Objetivos - analisar a ocorrência de distúrbio de voz entre os professores da rede estadual de ensino de Manaus - AM e verificar sua associação com características demográficas, funcionais, do ambiente e da organização do trabalho. Métodos - pesquisa observacional e transversal, em que participaram professores do ensino fundamental e médio da rede estadual de ensino da cidade de Manaus. Por meio de cálculo estatístico foi considerada uma amostra estratificada, composta por sete estratos, cada um advindo de uma das coordenadorias distritais de Manaus. A amostragem foi feita por conglomerado, onde as escolas sorteadas, e todos os professores dessas escolas, deveriam ser entrevistados. Foi respeitada a ordem de sorteio para escolas de cada coordenadoria. Os participantes responderam aos instrumentos impressos: Condição de Produção Vocal-Professor e Índice de Triagem para Distúrbio de Voz. A análise descritiva dos dados foi feita por meio das médias, desvios-padrão, valores mínimos e máximos das variáveis quantitativas e dos valores absolutos e proporções para as variáveis qualitativas. Para avaliação dos fatores associados ao distúrbio de voz foram utilizados os testes de associação qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher para variáveis categóricas. Resultados - participaram do estudo 453 professores, distribuídos em 39 escolas, 310 do sexo feminino (68,4%), idade entre 41,3 anos, 46,8% com tempo de profissão em média de 12,8 anos e 54,1% atuando em uma única escola. A característica do ambiente de trabalho com prevalência mais elevada de inadequação foi a presença de ruído na escola (80,6%), e na organização do trabalho, a presença de estresse (87,4%). Os sintomas com prevalências mais frequentes foram garganta seca (59,6%), rouquidão (58,7%), e cansaço ao falar (50,8%). A presença de distúrbio de voz esteve presente em 46,1% dos professores. Os fatores associados à essa presença foram: variáveis demográficas: sexo feminino, idade mais jovem, estado civil sem alguma forma de união; variáveis funcionais: nenhuma; variáveis do ambiente de trabalho: condições inadequadas quanto a: ruído, intensidade do ruído, ausência de local adequado para descanso; e variáveis da organização do trabalho: condições inadequadas quanto a: ritmo de trabalho estressante, repetitividade no trabalho, e todas as variáveis vinculadas a situações de violência na escola. Conclusões - este estudo demonstrou alta prevalência de distúrbio de voz entre os professores da rede estadual de ensino de Manaus e que fatores como presença de ruído na escola, intensidade do ruído, estresse e presença de situações de violência estão diretamente associados ao distúrbio de voz encontrado nesses professores