Rajashekhar Bellur

Acoustic Analysis of Voice in Normal and High Pitch Phonation: A Comparative Study

Objectives: Comparison of acoustic parameters of voice between normal and high pitch phonation in normal adults, and comparison between genders. Participants and Methods: A total of 48 normal laryngeal speakers were considered for this study. The acoustic parameters were analyzed using the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of the acoustic parameters across tasks and genders. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare measures between tasks. Independent-samples t tests were used to compare parameters between genders. Results: Significant differences were found across tasks in the range of fundamental frequency and average fundamental frequency. Females showed a significant difference in the frequency perturbation measures – percent jitter and relative average perturbation, while males demonstrated a significant difference in the noise-to-harmonic ratio. While comparing mean differences between genders, significant differences were observed in fundamental frequency, range of the fundamental frequency, and smoothed pitch perturbation quotient during both phonation tasks. Conclusion: Comparison of acoustic parameters between normal and high pitch phonation would facilitate understanding the effect of high pitch phonation on voice parameters. Subsequently, this would help clinicians to focus on important acoustic parameters while assessing professional voice users who are at risk of developing voice problems.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Voice Problems Among Primary School Teachers in India

OBJECTIVES Teachers are more prone to develop voice problems (VPs) when compared with other professional voice users. The aim of present study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of VPs among primary school teachers in India. STUDY DESIGN Epidemiological cross-sectional survey. METHODS Self-reporting questionnaire data were collected from 1082 teachers. RESULTS Out of 1082 teachers who participated in the present study, 188 teachers reported VPs that account for a prevalence rate of 17.4%. Tired voice after long hours of talking was the most frequently reported symptom, followed by sore/dry throat, strain in voice, neck muscle tension, and difficulty in projecting voice. The adjusted odds ratio values showed number of years of teaching, high background noise levels in the classroom, experiencing psychological stress while teaching classes, improper breath management (holding breath while speaking), poor focus of the tone (clenching jaw/teeth while speaking), upper respiratory tract infection, thyroid problems, and acid reflux as significant risk factors for the development of VPs in the current cohort of teachers. CONCLUSIONS Current results suggest that teachers develop VPs due to multiple risk factors. These factors may be either biological, psychomotor, or environment-related factors. A holistic approach (which could include educating teachers about voice care during their training, and if they develop VP during their career, then managing the VP by taking into consideration different risk factors) addressing all these factors needs to be adopted to prevent VPs in primary school teachers.

Acoustic Analysis of Madhya and Taar Saptak/Sthayi in Indian Classical Singers

Objectives: We aimed to compare the acoustic parameters of voice between Madhya Saptak/Sthayi (MS) and Taar Saptak/Sthayi (TS) in trained Indian classical singers and between males and females. Participants and Method: Sixty-five adult trained Indian classical singers were instructed to produce MS and TS; the acoustic parameters were analyzed with the Multidimensional Voice Program. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis across tasks and gender. Two-way random-effects ANOVA was used to test the effect of gender and task. Results: Male participants had a restricted range of fundamental frequency (F0), especially at high pitches. The acoustic analysis showed a statistically significant difference for F0 measures, range of F0, jitter and pitch perturbation quotient between males and females during MS and TS. Conclusion: The use of TS, that is, high-pitch phonation, during the clinical evaluation of singers enables an understanding of their vocal behavior in the higher scales of singing.

Adaptation and Validation of the Kannada Version of the Singing Voice Handicap Index

OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to adapt and validate the Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) into Kannada language using standard procedures. STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS The original English version of SVHI was translated into Kannada. It was administered on 106 Indian classical singers, of whom 22 complained of voice problems. Its internal consistency was determined using Cronbachs alpha coefficient (α), test-retest reliability using Pearsons product moment correlation and paired t test, and the difference in mean scores by independent sample t test. RESULTS The results revealed that the Kannada SVHI exhibited an excellent internal consistency (α = 0.96) with a high item-to-total correlation. Further, excellent test-retest reliability (r = 0.99) and significant differences in SVHI scores were also obtained by singers with and without a voice problem (t = 12.93, df = 104, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION The Kannada SVHI is a valid and reliable tool for self-reported assessment of singers with voice problems. It will provide a valuable insight into the singing-related voice problems as perceived by the singers themselves.

Exploring Attitudes of Indian Classical Singers Toward Seeking Vocal Health Care.

OBJECTIVE The attitude of Indian classical singers toward seeking vocal health care is a dimension yet to be explored. The current study was aimed to determine the attitudes of these singers toward seeking vocal health care and further understand the influence of age and gender. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHOD A 10-item self-report questionnaire adapted from a study on contemporary commercial music singers was used. An additional question was added to ask if the singer was aware about the profession and role of speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The questionnaire was administered on 55 randomly selected self-identified trained Indian classical singers who rated the items using a five-point Likert scale. Demographic variables were summarized using descriptive statistics and t test was used to compare the mean scores between genders and age groups. RESULTS Of the singers, 78.2% were likely to see a doctor for heath-related problems, whereas 81.8% were unlikely to seek medical care for voice-related problems; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Responses for the questions assessing the attitudes toward findings from medical examination by a specialist revealed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.02) between the genders. Age did not have a significant influence on the responses. Only 23.6% of the respondents were aware about the profession and the role of SLPs. CONCLUSION The findings are in tune with western literature reporting hesitation of singers toward seeking vocal health care and draws attention of SLPs to promote their role in vocal health awareness and management.

Comparison of esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech modes in dual-mode alaryngeal speakers

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to compare different speech related parameters in dual-mode esophageal and tracheoesophageal speakers. A second purpose was to compare the speech characteristics of these (tracheo) esophageal speakers with age- and gender matched controls. Materials and Methods: Four male laryngectomees who were proficient esophageal and tracheoesophageal speakers provided audio recordings of sustained vowels and connected speech using both alaryngeal methods. The participants from the control group also followed the same procedure. From the recorded samples, fundamental frequency (F0), maximum phonation duration (MPD), formant frequencies, and speech rate related parameters were extracted. Results: Although there was no statistically significant difference between the two alaryngeal modes for any of the measured parameters, the absolute fundamental frequency and MPD values were higher in TE mode. However, when compared to controls, both the alaryngeal modes depicted significantly shorter MPD values, higher first formant frequency values, slower speech rate, and higher frequency of pauses. Conclusion: The results suggest that most group differences found between esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech in the past may be due to large inter-subject variability, and that within speakers, similarity is more between esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech than with laryngeal speech. These results have implications for understanding the pseudoglottic voice mechanism.

Adaptation and Validation of the Kannada Singing Voice Handicap Index-10

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to adapt and validate the English version of the Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (SVHI-10) into Kannada language. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional Comparitive study design. METHODS The English version of SVHI-10 was translated into Kannada using standard procedure. A total of 115 singers participated in the study, including 90 singers with no voice problems (control group) and 25 singers with voice problems. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, clinical validity, and cutoff points were calculated. RESULTS Kannada SVHI-10 has excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The singers with voice problems scored significantly higher than the singers with no voice problems (t = -14.67, df = 113, P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff point of the SVHI-10 was 9.5 with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 84%. CONCLUSION The Kannada SVHI-10 is a reliable and clinically valid tool to assess the self-reported singing voice handicap among singers. It can also be used as a quick screening tool for distinguishing singers with and without voice problems as per clients perception.

Acoustic Analysis of Voice in Singers: A Systematic Review

Purpose Singers are vocal athletes having specific demands from their voice and require special consideration during voice evaluation. Presently, there is a lack of standards for acoustic evaluation in them. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the available literature on the acoustic analysis of voice in singers. Method A systematic review of studies on acoustic analysis of voice in singers (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, Cochrane, Ovid, Science Direct, and Shodhganga) was carried out. Key words based on PIO (population-investigation-outcome) were used to develop search strings. Titles and abstracts were screened independently, and appropriate studies were read in full for data extraction. Results Of the 895 studies, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Great variability was noted in the instruments and task used. Different acoustic measures were employed, such as fundamental frequency, perturbation, cepstral, spectral, dysphonia severity index, singing power ratio, and so forth. Conclusion Overall, a great heterogeneity was noted regarding population, tasks, instruments, and parameters. There is a lack of standardized criteria for the evaluation of singing voice. In order to implement acoustic analysis as a part of comprehensive voice evaluation exclusively for singers, there is a certain need for methodical sound studies.

Influence of channel and channelfree™ processing technology on the vocal parameters in hearing-impaired individuals

Introduction: Hearing loss is common in all age ranged population. Hearing loss leads to poor speech perception in quiet and more in noisy situation. Intact system over comes problem by masking release ability and its mechanism however impaired system fails to do. Hearing aid being common rehabilitation option, strategies and technology tries to support better speech perception in noise. Hence comparative studies of technology and strategies for the betterment of impaired population are needed. Objective of the Study: Enhancing speech perception is being the mainstay of hearing aid manufactures, Comparison of ChannelFreeTM, novel technology which claiming superior speech perception with channel hearing aids, specifically for competing signals is the objective. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three clients fitted with multi-channel and ChannelFreeTM with noise reductions (NR) On, Off condition. Comodulated and Uncomodulated masking release was the outcome measure in free field condition through audiometer. Results: Overall, ChannelFreeTM performed superior over channel hearing aids. Effect of channels, NR, and modulation type of background noise played key role. Perceptually, ChannelFreeTM was significantly preferred, especially in the first time users. Conclusion: ChannelFreeTM hearing aid strategies and NR are able to process incoming signal faster in order to retain the spectral contrast and also facilitate temporal cues from the amplified speech in noise. Acclimatization period has a vital role. Updating and implementing the validated novel technologies for the hearing impaired individual is recommended.

Professional Quality of Life in Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists Working in India

ABSTRACT The study aimed to investigate professional quality of life as reported by audiologists and speech language pathologists (SLPs) working in India. Questionnaire-based cross-sectional e-mail survey design using the Professional Quality of Life scale (ProQOL) was carried out. The sample consisted of professionals registered under the Indian Speech and Hearing Association. The questionnaire was sent through the personal registered e-mail-id to 500 professionals of which 155 complete responses were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic variables. Internal consistency was checked using Cronbach’s alpha. Independent sample t test was used to check the relation of occupation, gender and work setting with the ProQOL subscales. ANOVA and post hoc Tukey HSD was performed to determine the effect of years of experience. A statistically significant difference was found between occupation and secondary traumatic stress (STS) levels and years of work experience and burnout. Post hoc analysis revealed a significant difference between 11 and 20 and more than 21 years of experience. Strong negative correlation between compassion satisfaction and burnout whereas a moderate positive correlation between burnout and STS was observed. The study identifies factors such as occupation type and years of experience have an influence on the professional quality of life.