Evaluation of the Vocal Performance of Children Using a Voice Range Profile Index

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Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the vocal characteristics of a treatment-seeking population with the primary complaint of vocal fatigue (VF). Methods: Forty-three men (mean age 42 years, range 19-69) and 145 women (mean age 34 years, range 18-68) were included. None of the subjects had received voice therapy or previous laryngeal surgery. A questionnaire, laryngeal and perceptual evaluations, aerodynamic and acoustic parameters, and the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) were used to determine vocal characteristics. Results: In 74% of the subjects, flexible laryngeal videostroboscopic evaluation revealed a vocal pathology, with vocal nodules and muscle tension dysphonia as the most frequently diagnosed pathologies. Vocal abuse/misuse was present in 65% of the subjects. A median DSI value of -0.4 and -0.8 was found in female and male patients, respectively. Aerodynamic and acoustic parameters and DSI scores were significantly different from normative data. Conclusion: VF is a vocal sign with a significant need for medical consultation, especially in future professional voice users. Understanding the occurrence and the influencing variables of VF may help to close the gap between early stages of a vocal problem and the starting point of a well-established disorder.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Involved in Vocal Fatigue: A Pilot Study

D’haeseleer

Behlau

Bruneel

et al. 2016

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“…Furthermore, multidimensional indices have already suggested their benefit in clinical practice (the body mass index [weight (kg)/height 2 (m 2 )] is a good illustration of the efficacy of combining variables). In voice research, multivariate techniques have also proved their usefulness, as shown by the Dysphonia Severity Index [13] and the Voice Range Profile Index for Children [14]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Age and Gender in Normal-Speaking Children on the Nasality Severity Index: An Objective Multiparametric Approach to Hypernasality

Bettens

Wuyts²,

Graef³

et al. 2013

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Objective: Since resonance disorders have a multidimensional nature and occur in several craniofacial pathologies, the aim of the present study was to determine the influence of age and gender in normal-speaking children without resonance disorders on an objective multiparametric index of hypernasality. Patients and Methods: A total of 74 Flemish children (37 boys and 37 girls), aged 4-12 years, without resonance disorders were included. A Nasometer was used to obtain nasalance scores (1 phoneme, 2 reading passages). An aerodynamic value was calculated using maximum duration time, and the mirror-fogging test by Glatzel was applied to visualize nasality as measured by condensation. With the obtained results, a ‘Nasality Severity Index' (NSI) was calculated. Results: A significant age effect was found, in which the NSI increased with increasing age (p < 0.001). No significant difference for the NSI was detected concerning gender (p > 0.05). Unfortunately, considerable standard deviations from the mean NSI were found. Conclusion: Although a multiparametric index can form a more powerful approach in the assessment of and treatment planning for individuals with hypernasality, the present study revealed large interindividual differences in the current NSI. Therefore, adaptation of the current NSI is recommended, by which the influences of personal and environmental variables are taken into account.

“…Weighted sums are commonly used in multivariate statistical methods such as logistic regression or discriminant analysis. Multivariate techniques also prove to be useful in voice research as shown by the dysphonia severity index (DSI) [5] and the voice range profile index for children (VRPIc) [6] . Both indexes are able to assess the degree of vocal pathology for individual subjects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Nasality Severity Index: An Objective Measure of Hypernasality Based on a Multiparameter Approach

Lierde

Wuyts

Bonte

et al. 2006

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There is a need for an objective measure that describes normal resonance and resonance disorders. The current standard of practice has not led to mismanagement but a refined objective assessment protocol will benefit a more precise objective assessment of velopharyngeal disorders. The purpose of the present study is to construct a nasality severity index (NSI) that reflects the multidimensional nature of resonance. Objective and subjective assessment techniques were used to determine the nasalance, the nasality and aerodynamic capacities in 21 children with cleft palate and a control group of 25 children without cleft palate. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the optimal index. The NSI consists of a linear combination of 4 variables, where each variable has a different weight. The equation is: NSI = –60.69 – (3.24 × percent oral text) – (13.39 × Glätzel value /a/) + [0.244 × maximum duration time (seconds)] – (0.558 × % /a/) + (3.38 × percent oronasal text). NSI sensitivity is 88% and specificity is 95%. Daily clinical use of the NSI has shown it to be an efficient and practical tool to describe the presence of hypernasality. Three distinct follow-up cases are presented to illustrate the impact of a surgical technique, the use of a speech bulb and velopharyngeal biofeedback training on NSI. The implementation of the NSI may help clinicians to quantitatively assess the severity of nasality disorders beside the perceptual judgments.