Reducing the Negative Vocal Effects of Superficial Laryngeal Dehydration With Humidification

Abstract

Objectives Environmental humidification is a simple, cost-effective method believed to reduce superficial laryngeal drying. This study sought to validate this belief by investigating whether humidification treatment would reduce the negative effects of superficial laryngeal dehydration on phonation threshold pressure (PTP). Phonation threshold pressure data analysis may be vulnerable to bias because of lack of investigator blinding. Consequently, this study investigated the extent of PTP analysis reliability between unblinded and blinded investigators. Methods Healthy male and female adults were assigned to a vocal fatigue (n = 20) or control group (n = 20) based on their responses to a questionnaire. PTP was assessed after 2 hours of mouth breathing in low humidity (dehydration challenge), following a 5-minute break in ambient humidity, and after 2 hours of mouth breathing in high humidity (humidification). Results PTP significantly increased following the laryngeal dehydration challenge. After humidification, PTP returned toward baseline. These effects were observed in both subject groups. PTP measurements were highly correlated between the unblinded and blinded investigator. Conclusions Humidification may be an effective approach to decrease the detrimental voice effects of superficial laryngeal dehydration. These data lay the foundation for future investigations aimed at preventing and treating the negative voice changes associated with chronic, surface laryngeal drying.

Effects of Adventitious Acute Vocal Trauma: Relative Fundamental Frequency and Listener Perception

“…These external drying agents in winter can be dehydrating, which can have negative phonatory effects. 31,45,46 Specifically, dehydration and exposure to low relative humidity have been shown to raise phonation threshold pressure, which is a measure of the subglottal pressure that is required for vocal fold vibration during phonation. 3145–48 Additionally, hydration has been shown to have an effect on perceived phonatory effort, with an increase in hydration corresponding to a decrease in perceived phonatory effort.…”

“…31,45,46 Specifically, dehydration and exposure to low relative humidity have been shown to raise phonation threshold pressure, which is a measure of the subglottal pressure that is required for vocal fold vibration during phonation. 3145–48 Additionally, hydration has been shown to have an effect on perceived phonatory effort, with an increase in hydration corresponding to a decrease in perceived phonatory effort. 31,48 Future research to examine potential changes in offset cycle 10 RFF at varying hydration levels in both individuals with voice disorders and healthy participants will facilitate better characterization of any potential relationship between hydration and RFF.…”

Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices about vocal hygiene for their children in Chengdu, a city from China

“…Parents displayed good knowledge of positive factors for vocal hygiene, which has also been investigated scientifically and supported empirically. [19,20] However, there were certain misconceptions perceived by parents, only half of the parents recognized that “Good posture” (63.7%) and “Using nose breathing instead of mouth breathing” (54.0%) were helpful for vocal health. At the same time, parents showed limited knowledge of vocal misuse and vocally abusive behaviors.…”

The Efficacy of the NHS Waterpipe in Superficial Hydration for People With Healthy Voices: Effects on Acoustic Voice Quality, Phonation Threshold Pressure and Subjective Sensations

“…18,19 Dehydration studies have also reported increased perturbation values and decreased harmonics-to-noise-ratio (HNR) values, 20,21 and an increase in the minimum subglottal pressure needed to initiate and maintain vocal fold vibration (aka phonation threshold pressure, PTP). 19,22,23 Additionally, Hemler and colleagues 7 have stated that sufficient impairment of the vocal-fold oscillatory properties may induce compensatory hypertension during voice production. This may further elicit other voice problems, such as muscle tension dysphonia.…”