Laryngeal Airway Resistance of Older Men and Women as a Function of Vocal Sound Pressure Level

Abstract

This study examined laryngeal airway resistance (RLAW) in 10 healthy male and 10 female subjects within three age groups (55:0–64:11; 65:0–74:11; and 75:0+ years). A noninvasive procedure (Smitheran & Hixon, 1981) was employed to investigate RLAW at four vocal sound pressure levels (SPL) (25th, 50th, 75th percentiles of the SPL range, and comfortable voice level [CV]). RLAW values for the oldest group of females were found to be higher at each SPL percentile than those of the two younger age groups. The oldest group of males differed from the youngest group of males in RLAW values only at the 75th percentile level of SPL. Laryngeal airway resistance values were higher for females than males. As a group, the females generally had transglottal airflow that increased or remained relatively steady, whereas males maintained more linear changes in transglottal airflow and transglottal pressure as relative SPL increased. The present results suggest that separate norms need to be employed for males and females when determining RLAW values. Further, consideration should be given to examining the underlying airflow and pressure values when evaluating or monitoring changes in aerodynamic activity during voice production.

Adult Normative Data for the KayPENTAX Phonatory Aerodynamic System Model 6600

“…This is consistent with the findings of previous studies. 21,[23][24] This finding is also in agreement with the results obtained by Higgins and Saxman 22 for their female subjects. In contrast to their findings for females, Higgins and Saxman 22 found that elderly males older than 69 years exhibited significantly greater estimated subglottal pressures as compared with younger males between 20 and 31 years of age.…”

“…13 However, it is consistent with a large number of studies, which have reported that males demonstrate significantly greater airflow rates in comparison to females. 1,[22][23][24][25][26][31][32][33] CONCLUSIONS Because age-and gender-related changes were found for some measures, one must account for these two variables when assessing phonatory aerodynamics using the PAS. Even though the results of the present study are consistent with previous findings reported in the literature, there remains a clear need to further develop adult normative data using the PAS.…”

“…Few studies have directly investigated the effect of age and gender on phonatory aerodynamics, even though its importance in the assessment and treatment of persons across the life span with dysphonia is increasingly being recognized. 3,11 One of the more comprehensive studies of age and gender effects on phonatory aerodynamics was conducted by Goozee et al 7 Goozee et al used the Aerophone II to assess the effects of age and gender on phonatory aerodynamics in a sample of 56 male and 53 female normal speakers divided into six age groups (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40), 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, and 71-80 years). The phonatory aerodynamic measures obtained included phonatory flow rate, estimated subglottal pressure, laryngeal airway resistance, phonatory SPL, phonatory power, and phonatory efficiency.…”

Electroglottographic Evaluation of Age and Gender Effects During Sustained Phonation and Connected Speech

“…Therefore, it is important to be able to distinguish changes that are associated with normal aging process from those that are associated with pathological processes co-occurring with aging. 24 …”

Age-Related Changes to Speech Breathing With Increased Vocal Loudness

“…As with the respiratory changes, the changes in the larynx begin earlier and occur to a greater extent in men than in women (Hirano et al, 1983;Kahane, 1987;Ximenes Filho et al, 2003). Age-related anatomical changes in the larynx are likely to result in reduced glottal closure during vocal fold vibration (Biever & Bless, 1989;Honjo & Isshiki, 1980) and reduced laryngeal airway resistance (Holmes, Leeper, & Nicholson, 1994;Melcon, Hoit, & Hixon, 1989). However it is not clear if this change in laryngeal airway resistance results in increased air wastage during vocal fold vibration (Sapienza & Dutka, 1996).…”