scholarly journals Beyond illness: Variation in haemosporidian load explains differences in vocal performance in a songbird

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salome Lopez‐Serna ◽  
Catalina Gonzalez‐Quevedo ◽  
Hector Fabio Rivera‐Gutierrez
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Performance

Perceived Voice Disorders in Older Adults and Impact on Social Interactions

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Connie K. Porcaro ◽  
Clare Singer ◽  
Boris Djokic ◽  
Ali A. Danesh ◽  
Ruth Tappen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Voice Disorders ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Cross Sectional

Purpose Many aging individuals, even those who are healthy, report voice changes that can impact their ability to communicate as they once did. While this is commonly reported, most do not seek evaluation or management for this issue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and differences in voice disorders in older adults, along with the effect of fatigue on their social interactions. Method This is a cross-sectional investigation of a community-dwelling sample of individuals aged 60 years or older. Participants completed the Questionnaire on Vocal Performance, the Social Engagement Index subset “Engagement in Social or Leisure Activities,” and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Results Results indicated 32.5% of the 332 participants reported symptoms of voice problems with no difference found between male and female respondents. A slight increase in report of voice problems was noted with each year of age. Participants who self-reported voice problems indicated less interaction in social activities involving communication than those who did not. Finally, as severity of self-reported voice problems increased, an increase was reported by the same individuals for signs of fatigue. Conclusions Voice problems and resulting decreased social interaction are commonly experienced by older individuals. Voice symptoms in older adults have been found to benefit from evidence-based treatment strategies. It is critical to provide education to encourage older individuals to seek appropriate evaluation and management for voice issues through a speech-language pathologist or medical professional.

Vocal Performance Teachers and Hearing Loss

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24
Author(s):  
Vance Gunnell ◽  
Jeff Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Occupational Noise Exposure ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Performance Teachers

Hearing thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured for teachers of vocal performance who were gathered for a national conference. Results showed mean audiometric thresholds to be consistent with noise induced hearing loss, more than what would be expected with normal aging. Years of instruction and age were considered as factors in the hearing loss observed. It was concluded that hearing conservation should be initiated with this group to help raise awareness and protect them from hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure.

scholarly journals T1a Glottic Cancer: Advances in Vocal Outcome Assessment after Transoral CO2-Laser Microsurgery Using the VEM

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1250
Author(s):  
Wen Song ◽  
Felix Caffier ◽  
Tadeus Nawka ◽  
Tatiana Ermakova ◽  
Alexios Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Function Analysis ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Glottic Cancer ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Laser Microsurgery ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Objective Parameter ◽  
Oncological Results ◽  
Perceptual Assessment

Patients with unilateral vocal fold cancer (T1a) have a favorable prognosis. In addition to the oncological results of CO2 transoral laser microsurgery (TOLMS), voice function is among the outcome measures. Previous early glottic cancer studies have reported voice function in patients grouped into combined T stages (Tis, T1, T2) and merged cordectomy types (lesser- vs. larger-extent cordectomies). Some authors have questioned the value of objective vocal parameters. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory prospective study was to investigate TOLMS-associated oncological and vocal outcomes in 60 T1a patients, applying the ELS protocols for cordectomy classification and voice assessment. Pre- and postoperative voice function analysis included: Vocal Extent Measure (VEM), Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), auditory-perceptual assessment (GRB), and 9-item Voice Handicap Index (VHI-9i). Altogether, 51 subjects (43 male, eight female, mean age 65 years) completed the study. The 5-year recurrence-free, overall, and disease-specific survival rates (Kaplan–Meier method) were 71.4%, 94.4%, and 100.0%. Voice function was preserved; the objective parameter VEM (64 ± 33 vs. 83 ± 31; mean ± SD) and subjective vocal measures (G: 1.9 ± 0.7 vs. 1.3 ± 0.7; VHI-9i: 18 ± 8 vs. 9 ± 9) even improved significantly (p < 0.001). The VEM best reflected self-perceived voice impairment. It represents a sensitive measure of voice function for quantification of vocal performance.

Phonomicrosurgery in Singers and Performing Artists: Treatment Outcomes, Management Theories, and Future Directions

2002 ◽  
Vol 111 (12_suppl) ◽  
pp. 21-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Zeitels ◽  
Robert E. Hillman ◽  
Marcello Mauri ◽  
Rosemary Desloge ◽  
Patricia B. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Performing Artists ◽  
Vocal Rehabilitation ◽  
Vocal Function ◽  
Normal Limits ◽  
Outcomes Management

Phonomicrosurgery in performing artists has historically been approached with great trepidation, and vocal outcome data are sparse. The vocal liability of surgically disturbing the superficial lamina propria (SLP) and epithelium must be balanced with the inherent detrimental vocal effect of the lesion(s). A prospective investigation was performed on 185 performing artists who underwent phonomicrosurgical resection of 365 lesions: 201 nodules, 71 polyps, 66 varices and ectasias, 13 cysts, 8 keratotic lesions. 2 granulomas, 2 Reinke's edema, and 2 papillomas. Nearly all patients with SLP lesions reported improvement in their postsurgical vocal function. This subjective result was supported by objective acoustic and aerodynamic measures. All postsurgical objective vocal function measures fell within normal limits, including a few that displayed presurgical abnormalities. However, given the relative insensitivity of standard objective measures to assess higher-level vocal performance-related factors, it is even more noteworthy that 8 of 24 objective measures displayed statistically significant postsurgical improvements in vocal function. Such changes in objective measures mostly reflect overall enhancement in the efficiency of voice production. Phonomicrosurgical resection of vocal fold lesions in performing artists is enjoying an expanding role because of a variety of improvements in diagnostic assessment, surgical instrumentation and techniques, and specialized rehabilitation. Most of these lesions are the result of phonotrauma and arise within the SLP. Successful management depends on prudent patient selection and counseling, ultraprecise technique, and vigorous vocal rehabilitation. Furthermore, an understanding of the vocal function and dysfunction of this high-performance population provides all otolaryngologists who manage laryngeal problems with valuable information that they can extrapolate for use in their practices.

Power Capabilities of the Avian Sound-Producing System

1979 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-166
Author(s):  
J. H. BRACKENBURY
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Gallus Domesticus ◽  
Sound Power ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Song Thrush ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles ◽  
Sylvia Communis

1. The vocal performance of different species of songbird was compared by measuring the maximum total sound power produced during normal song. This varied from 10 mW/Kg body weight in the linnet Acanthus cannabina and the whitethroat Sylvia communis to 870 mW/Kg in the song-thrush Turdus philomelos. 2. In comparison, the performance of the chicken Gallus domesticus during crowing was approximately 60 mW/Kg. 3. There was some evidence that performance was related to size in the songbirds as a group, the smaller bird being less effective than the larger. 4. Differences in performance are discussed in relation to the presence or absence of intrinsic muscles in the syrinx and to possible effects of scale on the efficiency of the fundamental sound-producing process.

Divergent Perspectives on Musical Knowledge, Expertise, and Science

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
Sandra E. Trehub
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Skilled Performance ◽  
Musical Engagement ◽  
Musical Knowledge ◽  
Behavioral Responsiveness

Abstract I review two recent books on music, both inspired by cognitive neuroscience but differing in most other respects. Isabelle Peretz, an expert in the cognitive neuroscience of music, describes how we perceive and produce music, as reflected in neural and behavioral responsiveness. Her book is intended for general readers who are interested in music and curious about the science behind our musical nature—brains that are prepared for music and changed by active musical engagement. Lynn Helding, an expert in vocal performance and pedagogy, draws on findings from psychology and neuroscience to inform her approach to music learning and teaching. Aimed at musicians, aspiring musicians, and those who teach them, her book focuses largely on the means of optimizing learning and skilled performance.

scholarly journals Optimising outcome assessment of voice interventions, II: sensitivity to change of self-reported and observer-rated measures

2007 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
I N Steen ◽  
K MacKenzie ◽  
P N Carding ◽  
A Webb ◽  
I J Deary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Health ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Voice Handicap Index ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Voice Therapy ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Responsiveness To Change

AbstractObjectives:A wide range of well validated instruments is now available to assess voice quality and voice-related quality of life, but comparative studies of the responsiveness to change of these measures are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the responsiveness to change of a range of different measures, following voice therapy and surgery.Design:Longitudinal, cohort comparison study.Setting:Two UK voice clinics.Participants:One hundred and forty-four patients referred for treatment of benign voice disorders, 90 undergoing voice therapy and 54 undergoing laryngeal microsurgery.Main outcome measures:Three measures of self-reported voice quality (the vocal performance questionnaire, the voice handicap index and the voice symptom scale), plus the short form 36 (SF 36) general health status measure and the hospital anxiety and depression score. Perceptual, observer-rated analysis of voice quality was performed using the grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale. We compared the effect sizes (i.e. responsiveness to change) of the principal subscales of all measures before and after voice therapy or phonosurgery.Results:All three self-reported voice measures had large effect sizes following either voice therapy or surgery. Outcomes were similar in both treatment groups. The effect sizes for the observer-rated grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale scores were smaller, although still moderate. The roughness subscale in particular showed little change after therapy or surgery. Only small effects were observed in general health and mood measures.Conclusion:The results suggest that the use of a voice-specific questionnaire is essential for assessing the effectiveness of voice interventions. All three self-reported measures tested were capable of detecting change, and scores were highly correlated. On the basis of this evaluation of different measures' sensitivities to change, there is no strong evidence to favour either the vocal performance questionnaire, the voice handicap index or the voice symptom scale.

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