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Biomedical subjects

T Nawka

Publications and source records attributed to T Nawka.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[On the auditory evaluation of voice quality].

BACKGROUND: For routine clinical purposes, dysphonic voices are assessed perceptually using the GRBAS scale or analogues. For clinical application, the crucial question is the interrater reliability (IRR) of the auditory perceptual assessment of voice quality. Therefore, the IRR of the four point RBH (roughness, breathiness, hoarseness vs overall grade) scale was studied. Other parameters, e.g. validity and intrarater reliability were not considered. METHODS: A total of 78 patients read a standard text "Der Nordwind und die Sonne". These samples were evaluated by 19 speech and voice therapy students according to the degree of roughness, breathiness and hoarseness. Data were subjected to reliability analysis. RESULTS: Our data indicate a high IRR with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.94. No single rating of the 19 raters could be omitted without decreasing the IRR. DISCUSSION: The data indicate that the perceptual assessment of hoarseness for running speech is highly reliable. The application of the RBH scale is suitable for clinical purposes. It should be considered as an outcome measure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Validation of the German version of the Voice Handicap Index].

The voice handicap index (VHI) was developed in the United States for subjective evaluation of a voice disturbance by the patient. The translation into German has been applied for a German population of patients. It was validated by the examination of 316 adult patients, 221 female and 95 male. The reliability of the VHI rests on a high Cronbach's alpha (0.96). A factor analysis in order to structure the items yields four factors that can be interpreted as negative voice experience (factor 1-explaining 20.83% of the variance after rotation), lack of assertiveness (factor 2-18.82%), lack of vocal power (factor 3-12.84%), and negative emotionality (factor 4-11.01%). The mean VHI scores differ significantly from each other in different degrees of voice disturbance as estimated by the patients themselves. The voice handicap index is qualified as a diagnostic tool for German-speaking countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The speaker's formant in male voices.

Spectral analysis of vowels during connected speech can be performed using the spectral intensity distribution within critical bands corresponding to a natural scale on the basilar membrane. Normalization of the spectra provides the opportunity to make objective comparisons independent from the recording level. An increasing envelope peak between 3,150 and 3,700 Hz has been confirmed statistically for a combination of seven vowels in three groups of male speakers with hoarse, normal, and professional voices. Each vowel is also analyzed individually. The local energy maximum is called "the speaker's formant" and can be found in the region of the fourth formant. The steepness of the spectral slope (i.e. the rate of decline) becomes less pronounced when the sonority or the intensity of the voice increases. The speaker's formant is connected with the sonorous quality of the voice. It increases gradually and is approximately 10 dB higher in professional male voices than in normal male voices at neutral loudness (60 dB at 0.3 min). The peak intensity becomes stronger (30 dB above normal voices) when the overall speaking loudness is increased to 80 dB. Shouting increases the spectral energy of the adjacent critical bands but not the speaker's formant itself.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

[Practical significance of measuring high formant spectra in phoniatric voice assessment].

The measurement of sound energy in the spectral region between 2 and 5 kHz provides additional information to the auditive assessment of voice quality. It can be applied to healthy an sick voices, e. g. in tracing the therapeutic course. Devices for measuring voice range profiles with the possibility of evaluating the high formant region are especially useful and valuable. But, nonetheless, simultaneous auditive assessment is crucial to avoid misinterpretation. Calculation of the quotient of the sound pressure level in the region between 2 and 5 kHz by the total sound pressure level allows to determine vocal sound characteristics and changes of the sound. Pre- and postoperative sound spectra obtained from the voices of patients with diseases of the vocal folds illustrate the improvement of the harmonic structure and the decrease of noise components. The measurement of the high formant intensity has proven to be appropriate for the registration of the voice quality before and after therapy in 130 cases. Although the value of these measurements is highly validated in the phoniatric practice, extensive studies and, especially, expert discussions are still needed. The authors come to terms with opinions that question the validity of the described methods.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1989

[Predominantly mucous-differentiated acinic cell adenocarcinoma of the trachea].

Reported in this paper is a predominantly mucous differentiated acinic cell adenocarcinoma of seromucous tracheal glands in a male patient aged 64 years. Local surgical treatment was performed several times within one year and was always followed by recurrence. The naked eye inspection showed a partial polypous appearance of the tumor. Histologically the carcinoma is composed of lobular arranged solid and cribrous cell formations only separated by a sparse fibrous stroma. The tumor is not capsulated, and invasive growth is evident. Large cells with abundant bright cytoplasm and a strongly positive reaction to PAS form the main constituent of the tumor. Signet cell formation sometimes occurs. Electron microscopic examination reveals abundant secretory granules. These cells are in full accordance with mucous cellular elements of adjacent seromucous tracheal glands from which this rare tumor has obviously originated.

Carcinoma↗