The Effect of the Speech Task Characteristics on Perceptual Judgment of Mild to Moderate Dysphonia: A Methodological Study

Abstract

Objective: To study the differences in perceptual ratings of mild and moderate dysphonia related to the speech task, and their impact on intrarater and interrater reliabilities. Patients and Methods: Voice recordings of 15 outpatients with mild or moderate dysphonia related to laryngopharyngeal reflux were presented to 6 female experienced judges blinded to the clinical state of the patients. From these, the GRBASI (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain, and Instability) evaluations were performed on connected speech and sustained vowel of the pretreatment voice recordings and absolute agreement, and both intrarater and interrater reliabilities were assessed. Results: The average GRBASI scores were significantly worse when performed on sustained vowel. Intrarater reliability substantially varied according to the judge and the task. Good interrater reliability was broadly found for the evaluations of all GRBASI components irrespective of the speech task. Concerning agreement, we only found absolute agreement between judges for G and R items assessed on text. Conclusion: Average grade of perceptual voice impairment, intrarater reliability, and agreement vary according to the speech task.

Risco de disfonia e qualidade vocal em estudantes de artes cênicas

“…No que diz respeito à avaliação perceptivo-auditiva da qualidade vocal, apesar de não ter sido foco da presente pesquisa, observou-se que as médias obtidas no grau geral do desvio vocal foram maiores na avaliação da vogal do que nas outras tarefas, considerando as análises dos examinadores selecionados. De maneira geral, a alteração vocal é mais perceptível na emissão da vogal sustentada do que em tarefas de fala encadeada (23) .…”

Orofacial Strength and Voice Quality as Outcome of Levodopa Challenge Test in Parkinson Disease

“…Our enthusiasm for the perceptual voice quality evaluations is, however, limited because the results of these analyses strongly depend of the experience of the rater. 16,25 In addition, the analyses have to be performed in a blind manner to avoid evaluation bias, which complicates their use in clinical practice. Acoustically, shimmer and some F0-related acoustic parameters significantly improved from pre-to post-LCT, suggesting an improvement of the laryngeal muscle function.…”

“…The results of the second part of this study show that perceptual and acoustic voice quality assessments may be useful for the assessment of the levodopa responsiveness. Our enthusiasm for the perceptual voice quality evaluations is, however, limited because the results of these analyses strongly depend of the experience of the rater 16,25 . In addition, the analyses have to be performed in a blind manner to avoid evaluation bias, which complicates their use in clinical practice.…”

Perceptual, Aerodynamic, and Acoustic Characteristics of Voice Changes in Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease

“…The voice samples used for the GRBASI evaluation consisted of a balanced text and a sustained vowel /a/. These three judges have previously demonstrated high intra- and interrater reliabilities 22 and were blinded in regard to the clinical state of the patient (pre versus posttreatment), RSI, and RFS. To study the repercussion of voice quality impairments on overall quality of life, patients with LPR fulfilled the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF36).…”