Extrapair paternity in chestnut-sided warblers is correlated with consistent vocal performance

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.

Download Full-text

Vocal Performance Teachers and Hearing Loss

Perspectives on Public Health Issues Related to Hearing and Balance ◽

10.1044/phi16.1.15 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

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

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061250 ◽

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.

Download Full-text