Effects of Acute Vocal Abuse on Vocal Cord Anatomy and Voice Quality in U.S. Army Drill Instructors

Abstract

Ototaryngology -Head and Neck SurgeryAugust 1997 tive contribution of specific variables is not well described. To evaluate the modulation of fundamental frequency (pitch) in tracheoesophageal (TE) speakers following total laryngectomy and voice restoration, 1 l TE speakers completed a series of vocal tasks under standardized conditions. All patients underwent standard laryngectomy with appropriate neck dissection and fullcourse radiation therapy. Each speaker produced four sustained phonations at distinct levels. Sound pressure level (intensity), fundamental frequency, pitch perturbation (jitter), and intensity perturbation (shimmer) measurements were taken for each level. A multiple regression analysis program to assess the relative effect of several variables on predicting fundamental frequency demonstrated that only sound pressure level provided a statistically significant effect. Yet the knowledge of sound pressure level only allowed a 9% greater prediction of fundamental frequency, indicating that factors other than sound pressure level are integral in the modulation of fundamental frequency by tracheoesophageal speakers. The data lend further support to the theory that tracheoesophageal voice is an active process incorporating the myoelastic properties of the pharyngoesophageal segment, as well as the properties of aerodynamics of flow.