Analysis of supraglottic activity during vocalization in healthy singers. (2nd October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mayerhoff, Ross M.; Guzman, Marco; Jackson‐Menaldi, Cristina; Munoz, Daniel; Dowdall, Jayme; Maki, Ahmed; Johns, Michael M.; Smith, Libby J.; Rubin, Adam D.
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope. Volume 124:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 509
• Publication Date: 2013-10-02
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51005
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.24310
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-852X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="lary24310-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives/Hypothesis</title> <p>The present study aims to evaluate the degree of anterior–posterior and medial supraglottic laryngeal compression in healthy singers of different voice classifications while singing different pitches, loudness, and phonatory tasks.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24310-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Study Design</title> <p>Prospective study.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24310-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Thirty‐six classically trained singers (11 sopranos, 11 mezzo‐sopranos, six tenors, and eight baritones) with at least 5 years of voice training and absence of any voice pathology within the past year were included. Flexible endoscopic voice evaluations were recorded and edited to include samples of different pitches, levels of loudness, and phonatory tasks. Sound was removed from the video samples. Two blinded laryngologists were asked to assess medial and anterior–posterior supraglottic compression using a visual analog scale for each sample.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24310-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Medial compression was significantly greater in male subjects and specifically tenors during loud phonation, during high pitch, and while phonating the vowel /a/. Anterior–posterior compression was also significantly greater in males and specifically baritones during loud voice production and with phonation of the vowel /a/. No difference was noted in relation to pitch. Correlation between anterior–posterior and medial compression was demonstrated. Medial compression was less severe than anterior–posterior compression.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24310-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Supraglottic hyperfunction is present in healthy singers. Recognizing factors that might affect supraglottic hyperfunction in the healthy voice may help us to understand when hyperfunction is truly contributing to a patient's vocal pathology.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24310-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Level of Evidence</title> <p>4. <italic>Laryngoscope</italic>, 124:504–509, 2014</p> </sec> </abstract>