Evelien D'haeseleer

Impact of thyroidectomy without laryngeal nerve injury on vocal quality characteristics: An objective multiparameter approach

The main purpose of this study was to determine the impact of thyroidectomy on the subjective and objective vocal quality using the Dysphonia Severity Index. It was hypothesized that objective measures of vocal function and other vocal characteristics would change (temporarily or permanently) from the presurgical to the postsurgical conditions, even with the entire preservation of the laryngeal nerve, due to the surgical approach and other influencing factors.

The Impact of Vocal Warm-Up Exercises on the Objective Vocal Quality in Female Students Training to be Speech Language Pathologists

PURPOSEnThe purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a specific vocal warm-up (WU) program-focused on the improvement of the dynamics of the extrinsic and intrinsic laryngeal muscles-on the objective vocal quality in Dutch female students who are getting trained to be speech language pathologists (SLPs). Hypothetically, one can assume that the objective vocal quality will increase after vocal WU exercises in SLPs in comparison with the matched control group that receives no WU program.nnnMETHODSnThis was a pretest-posttest control group design study, in which 45 female future SLPs were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group received a well-defined vocal WU program, whereas the control group took 30 minutes of vocal rest. Objective assessment techniques (aerodynamic, vocal range, acoustic measurements, and Dysphonia Severity Index [DSI]) were used.nnnRESULTSnAfter vocal WU, a significant increased DSI value, increased vocal performance (with lower intensity and higher frequency), and increased fundamental frequency (F₀) were measured.nnnCONCLUSIONSnClinically, there is clear evidence that warming up the vocal mechanism is beneficial to the objective vocal quality and the vocal performance in future SLPs. To what extent the repetition of these vocal WU exercises has the possibility to maintain increased objective vocal quality in these future professional voice users is subject to further research.

The vocal quality in female student teachers during the 3 years of study.

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to determine the objective vocal quality and the vocal characteristics (vocal risk factors, vocal and corporal complaints) in 143 female student teachers during the 3 years of study. The objective vocal quality was measured by means of the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI). Perceptual voice assessment, the Voice Handicap Index, questionnaires addressing vocal risks, and vocal and corporal complaints during and/or after voice usage were performed. Student teachers have a normal perceptual and objective vocal quality corresponding with a DSI% of 76. The analysis of variance revealed a significant improvement of the vocal quality between the first and the third year of study. No psychosocial handicapping effect of the voice was observed, though there are some vocal complaints and almost all student teachers reported the presence of corporal pain during and/or after speaking. Especially sore throat and headache were mentioned as the most present corporal pain symptoms. Due to the decreased awareness and the multifactorial genesis of the potential vocal risk factors, the student teachers are at risk for developing an occupational dysphonia during their teaching career. Because teaching is a high-risk profession for the development of voice problems, the incorporation of a direct vocal training technique to increase vocal endurance during teaching together with a vocal hygiene program, dietetics, and a stress management training program during the 3 years of study is needed to prevent occupational dysphonia.

Vocal Characteristics of Middle-Aged Premenopausal Women

Aging influences the laryngeal anatomy and physiology, leading to altered vocal quality. In middle-aged women, the voice is affected by a combination of aging and menopausal transition. However, in many studies about vocal aging, the menopausal transition is not taken into account. The purpose of this study was to measure and describe the effect of aging on the vocal characteristics by comparing young women (between 20 and 28 years) and middle-aged premenopausal women (between 45 and 52 years). To determine the vocal characteristics in both groups, objective (aerodynamic measurements, vocal performance measurements, acoustic analysis, and a determination of the Dysphonia Severity Index) and subjective assessment techniques (perceptual evaluation, videostroboscopic evaluation, and Voice Handicap Index) were used. The middle-aged premenopausal women showed a smaller frequency and intensity range, a lower habitual fundamental frequency, and a higher soft phonation index compared with the young women. The results of this study are important when studying the voices of middle-aged women. Vocal characteristics of middle-aged women differ from young women, and these changes cannot only be because of hormonal changes during the menopause.

Parent and child ratings of satisfaction with speech and facial appearance in Flemish pre-pubescent boys and girls with unilateral cleft lip and palate

The purpose of this controlled study is to determine satisfaction with speech and facial appearance in Flemish pre-pubescent children with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Forty-three subjects with unilateral cleft lip and palate and 43 age and gender matched controls participated in this study. The Cleft Evaluation Profile was used to assess the perceived satisfaction for individual features related to cleft care. Both the cleft palate subjects and their parents were satisfied with the speech and facial appearance. The Pearson χ(2) test revealed significant difference between the cleft palate and the control group regarding hearing, nasal aesthetics and function, and the appearance of the lip. An in depth analysis of well specified speech characteristics revealed that children with clefts and their parents significantly more often reported the presence of an articulation, voice and resonance disorder and experienced /s/ /r/ /t/ and /d/ as the most difficult consonants. To what extent the incorporation of specific motor oriented oral speech techniques regarding the realisation of specific consonants, attention to vocal and ear care, and the recommendation of secondary velopharyngeal surgery, with the incorporation of primary correction of the cleft nose deformity simultaneously with primary lip closure, will aid these patients are future research subjects.