• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

This study compared the aerodynamic multiparameters of whispers and phonation in patients with muscle misuse dysphonia(MMD) to evaluate the voice aerodynamic analysis for discrimination between whispers and phonation. Eleven patients with muscle misuse dysphonia were examined. Whispers were shorter with a maximum phonation time(MPT; p<.01), a lower phonatory sound pressure level(SPLp; p<.01), a higher phonatory flow rate (PFR; p<01), lower phonatory efficiency(PE; p<.01), and a lower phonatory resistance (PR; p<.05) than phonation. The subglottal pressure level was not significantly different between whispers and phonation. (Psub; p>.05). The ROC analysis showed that the threshold of 23.83 ppm for PE achieved a good classification for whispers, with the perfect sensitivity(100%) and specificity(100%). Those results indicate PE reliably distinguished between whispers and phonation. The results also suggest that PE may provide a useful tool for studying the laryngeal source.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 2011

Muscle misuse dysphonia (MMD) is defined as a behavioral voice disorder resulting from inappropriate contractions of intrinsic and/or extrinsic laryngeal muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of motor learning guided laryngeal motor control therapy (MLG-LMCT) which is designed to improve an existing LMT and further the effective voice treatment on people with muscle misuse dysphonia. Forty-six people with MMD (M:F=16:30) participated in this study. The voice samples of the participants were recorded to investigate the effect of MLG-LMCT before and after the voice therapy. Voice samples were analyzed via electro-glotto-graph (EGG). Contact quotient (CQ), speed quotient (SQ), and waveform were reported. In addition, perceptual and acoustical evaluation were conducted to determine the change of voice improvement after treatment. The experimenter massaged the tensioned muscles around the neck. In order to find more proper phonation the experimenter showed the subjects their EGG wave forms as to whether or not they are moving the vocal folds to the appropriate position. Therefore, the EGG wave forms were used as a type of visual feedback. With the wave form, the experimenter helped subjects move the vocal folds and laryngeal muscles to find more proper voice production. The sensory stimuli from the experimenter gradually faded out. A paired dependent t- test revealed that there was significant differences in CQ between pre- and post-therapy. Perceptually, overall, rough, breathy, strain, and transition were significantly reduced. Acoustically, there were significant differences in Fo, jitter, shimmer, and NHR. After using MLG-LMCT, most of the subjects showed improvements in voice quality. The results from this study led us to the following conclusions: Motor learning guided laryngeal motor control therapy (MLG-LMCT) has reduces muscle misuse dysphonia. These results may occur because a visual feedback from EGG wave form can maintain the effect of the muscle tension reduction from laryngeal manual therapy. In case of people with MMD who reduced muscle tension from the therapy (LMT) but, not appropriately manipulating the location of larynx or adducting the vocal folds, MLG-LMCT might be an alternative therapy approach.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2002

Background and Objectives : Patients with so-called 'functional voice disorders' who have structurally normal larynges and demonstrate muscle misuse in the larynx, and those with several interacting causes including habitual muscle tension, are probably better defined as having a 'muscle misuse voice disorder'. The purpose of this study was to analyze the voice and effectiveness of voice therapy in patients with functional voice disorders and to provide a guide for the treatment of functional voice disorder. Materials and Method : The records of 35 patients, presenting with functional voice disorder and receiving voice therapy during October, 2001 to September, 2002, were reviewed. Prior to voice therapy, the stroboscopic examination of their larynx, aerodynamic and acoustic analysis was done. The results of voice therapy were compared according to the patient's subjective, perceptual evaluation of voice, and maximal phonation time. Results : Patient's subjective, perceptual evaluation, and maximal phonation time showed superior results after voice therapy. Conclusion : The result of this study indicates that voice therapy is an effective treatment method of patients with functional voice disorder, especially muscular tension dysphonia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-13
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• 2017

This article addresses the roles of the speech language pathologist (SLP) for singers who require prompt and effective treatment when a voice problem arises. The causes of voice problem are often vocal abuse/misuse/overuse, muscle tension dysphonia and inappropriate singing technique. The SLP should conduct voice counseling and voice assessment for maintaining healthy voice of singer constantly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 2002

Background and Objectives : Vocal abuse and misuse and muscle tension dysphonia that have various movements of false vocal folds may be related to the development of benign vocal folds lesions, such as vocal nodules, polyps, and cysts. This study was designed to determine whether benign vocal folds lesions were related with movements of false vocal folds on phonation. Material and Methods : One Hundred and seventy eight subjects were studied. All subjects received otolaryngological evaluation including videostroboscopy, objective voice measures. Patients were diagnosed as normal shape of vocal folds (group a), approximation of bilateral false vocal folds (group b), approximation of unilateral false vocal folds (group c), lateralized extension of false vocal folds (group d), and medialized approximation of posterior false vocal folds (group e). We analyzed the results of benign vocal folds lesions in each group. Results : Differences were found between the normal shaped group and the abnormal shaped group. No differences were found between each abnormal groups except group d and e. Conclusion : The shape of false vocal folds was related to the benign vocal folds lesions.