Evaluation of voice training. spectral analysis compared with listeners' judgements.
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In the period 1960 to 1970, a total of 213 patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy for benign cervical toxic goitre. Postoperatively, immobile vocal cord indicating paralysis of the recurrent nerve was found in 17 patients. In 8 patients, immobility of the vocal cord was permanent. Seven of the 17 patients received voice training which was initiated within 3 weeks after operation. After a period of 5-10 years, on an average 8 years, the 17 patients had a clinical and a comprehensive objective examination of the voice function comprising stroboscopy, electroglottography, phono-oscillometry, voice range, phonation time, peak-flow and pitch. Only a few complaints were ciliated whereas the objective examination of the voice function revealed abnormal findings in all but one patient. The findings were less abnormal in patients who had received early voice training. It is concluded that despite abnormal objective findings, all 17 patients found their voice function satisfactory. Moreover, early voice training seemed to offer a fair chance of minimizing late voice problems, whether the paralysis was permanent or transitory.
Any impairment of audio-phonatory control by background noise is followed by an increase in both the intensity and pitch of the speaking voice (Lombard reflex, 1911), thus increasing vocal strain. As a consequence, it might be anticipated that persons reacting to noise with marked changes in voice might be more liable to develop dysphonia. 22 singers, 34 normal controls, and 22 patients with hyperfunctional dysphonia where studied. In all patients, both ears were gradually masked with white noise. The change of the mean intensity level and of the mean pitch level of the speaking voice were then measured objectively with a special fundamental frequency analyzer (Fedders and Schultz-Coulon, 1975). Results show that the increase of intensity is comparable in all subjects, whereas the elevation of the mean pitch level differs significantly: trained voices (singers) react with the least pitch increment whereas dysphonic patients react with the most. The following conclusions were made from the present investigation: 1. Extreme increments in pitch level can be considered to be a more significant etiological factor of dysphonia than intensity increments; 2. Vocal therapy and voice training may have a favorable effect on the Lombard reflex (probably by improvement of the kinesthetic control mechanism) so that the speaking voice in a noisy environment is raised less with less vocal strain. The study also indicates that measurement of pitch changes during binaural masking can provide important information for the diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis of dysphonia.
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We discuss aphonia in children, secondary to laryngeal obstruction, with regard to the development of a voice, speech, and language system that can be an effective and efficient means of communication while obstruction persists and a precursor to good voice and speech habits if and when the laryngeal function is reestablished. Several methods were considered. A technique of esophageal voice training for children was developed and implemented, which combined the aspects of normal language learning with the mechanical aspects of esophageal voice production. Results showed rapid learning in a 2 1/2-year-old child with severe juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis and normal speech and language at the age of 4 years when laryngeal function returned. A second technique, a communication board, was used with a 4-year-old child with total subglottic stenosis and brain damage.
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Four variations of programmed filmstrips were shown to deaf children to improve comprehension of the passive voice. The design included two training strategies that treated the passive voice either as a unitary structure or as a contrast to the active voice. Within strategies two orders of training were compared for the various types of passive sentences: (nonreversible, reversible, agent-deleted) and (agent-deleted, nonreversible, reversible). Six filmstrips were constructed for the two strategies and three types of passive. Evaluation tests were administered before, immediately after, and three months following training. Forty deaf children were selected from two age ranges, 9 to 12 and 13 to 16 years. Within age groups 10 subjects served under each of the four strategy-order conditions. Evaluation tests consisted of a multiple choice picture-sentence matching test and a performance test in which subjects acted out six passive sentences using toys. Performance test scores increased significantly after training and surpassed pretraining after three months. Highest scores were achieved on nonreversible passives followed by reversible and agent-deleted passives. Reversal of agent and object was the most frequent error. Strategy and order differences were not significant.
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Reconstructive laryngectomy has been performed at the E.N.T. Clinic in Ferrara for some time. After surgery the patients undergo speech therapy and phoniatric treatment for a period of time varying from 2 to 6 months. In order to better evaluate the vocal quality obtained after such reeducation the vocal emissions of 25 patients were examined and recorded. The recorded material, made up of prolonged vowels and 6 phonetically balanced sentences, was then evaluated by a panel of 7 "trained" listeners. The evaluation score-card proposed by Woiers in 1977 was used in taking the data. This not only provides a scale for evaluating the main voice quality features, but also includes a final judgement on parameters including intelligibility, acceptability and pleasantness. Statistical processing of the data inherent to voice quality indicated a decrease in intensity and pitch when compared to normal values. Nonetheless, the listening test showed a high degree of intelligibility, acceptability and pleasantness. These values confirm the fact that, although the new voice achieved through reconstructive laryngectomy surgery is less sonorous, it allows for perfectly understandable, socially acceptable speech.
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A 49-year-old male-to-female transsexual was administered voice therapy following surgery. Tape recordings were made of her speech prior to and each week during therapy. Selected sentences from these reocrdings were analyzed. Results indicate that changes in both fundamental frequency and perceptual judgments of femininity were statistically significant and supportive to the client. The voice of the client was still discernible from that of a female speaker, although less so than before therapy. It is suggested that a composite treatment program combined with laryngeal modification through surgical intervention may be necessary.
This paper describes procedures used by speech and otorhinolaryngology specialists in the Independent School District of Carrollton and Farmers Branch, Texas, to identify, evaluate, treat, and follow up children with voice disorders and presents some initial findings resulting from the use of these procedures. In the identification process, 34 children were found to have vocal nodules, of which 31 children received treatment and underwent appropriate follow-up. After two months of voice therapy, 21 (68%) of the children exhibited reduced nodule size and seven (23%) exhibited normal larynges. Following six months of therapy, 26 (84%) children exhibited reduced nodule size, and 20 (65%) had normal larynges.
This study demonstrates the process of learning and shaping of behavior which occurs during a program of therapy for individuals with hyperfunctional hoarse voice quality. First a therapy program delineating the techniques and criteria to be used was written. The program was presented during 16 individual half-hour sessions over an eight-week period to three clients known to have vocal nodules. The clients' responses were charted at various points from audiotape recordings of each therapy session using a modification of the Boone-Prescott analysis system, to obtain data to demonstrate the learning processes. It was concluded that: (1) the client's behaviors in this vocal rehabilitation program reflected a learning process; (2) facilitating techniques were used to modify or shape behavior through successive approximations to the terminal goal; (3) self-evaluation is an important factor needed to bring about successful changes in behavior; (4) analysis of client's behaviors in relation to the learning process can aid in evaluating the effectiveness of the facilitating techniques; and (5) from such evaluation intraclient and interclient program changes are derived hopefully resulting in a greater success rate and maximum benefits from time spent in therapy.
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