Specifics and diagnostic procedure in reflux-related dysphonia.

Voice is a work tool for many professional groups. Currently, cases of dysphonia of multiple origin consist a growing issue. Voice disorders may result from disturbed voice production process, congenital defects, post-traumatic conditions, chronic diseases or hormonal disorders. Chronic diseases causing voice disorders include laryngopharyngeal reflux disease and esophageal reflux disease.The chronic character of reflux causes the formation of numerous morphological changes of the larynx, including: hyperemia of the mucosa limited to arytenoid and intraarytenoid area, edema of the vocal folds, edema of the larynx mucosa. These changes contribute to voice disorders. Among the pathological changes of voice organ etiologically associated with reflux, the following disease units may be distinguished: reflux laryngitis, subglottic edema, contact ulceration, larynx granuloma, larynx and pharynx cancer. Many of disorders in the upper respiratory tract are etiologically related to reflux, e.g. dysphonia, grunting, coughing and dyspnoea.

[Application of Brain-Boy Universal Professional in preliminary assessment of auditory processing disorder]. / Zastosowanie Brain-Boy Universal Professional we wstepnej ocenie zaburzen przetwarzania sluchowego.

Increasing numbers of hearing pathology is auditory processing disorders. Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) are defined as difficulty in using auditory information to communicate and learn in the presence of normal peripheral hearing. It may be recognized as a problem with understanding of speech in noise and perception disorder of distorted speech. APD may accompany to articulation disorders, language problems and difficulties in reading and writing. The diagnosis of auditory processing disorders causes many difficulties primarily due to the lack of common testing procedures, precise criteria for qualification to the group of norm and pathology. The Brain-Boy Universal Professional (BUP) is one of diagnostics tools. It enables to assess the higher auditory functions. AIM: The aim of the study was preliminary assessment of hearing difficulties that may suggest the occurrence of auditory processing disorders in children. The questionnaire of hearing difficulties and BUP was used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study includes 20 participants 2nd grade students of elementary school. The examination of the basic central functions was carried out with BUP. The parents and teacher complete the questionnaire to evaluate the hearing problems. RESULTS: Studies carried out indicate that the 40% schoolchild have hearing difficulties. The high percentage of deficits in auditory functions was confirmed with research results of medical device and the questionnaire for teacher. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the studies conducted may establish that the Warnke Method can serve as preliminary assessment of hearing difficulties that may suggest the occurrence of auditory processing disorders in children.

[High-speed digital imaging in the clinical analysis of voice change as a parameter of premenstrual syndrome]. / Technika szybkiego filmu w sekwencji cyfrowej w analizie zmian glosu w zespole napiecia przedmiesiaczkowego.

Technique of high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) is unique technology, allowing assessment of real vocal fold vibrations. AIM: The aim of the study is to present the usefulness of HSDI in the diagnosis of premenstrual dysphonia as a parameter of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In study conducted by Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics at the Medical University of Bialystok participated 21 women aged between 20-31 years old. HSDI technique with a digital High Speed HS camera was used for visualization of the larynx. The rigid endoscope with 90° optics was used for visualizing the vocal folds vibrations during phonation of "e" vowel, at the rate of 4000 frames per second. Playback of recorded sequence set at 15 frames per second, allowed to assess vocal folds vibrations in slow motion mode. Mucosal wave (MW), glottal closure (GTs), symmetry, regularity and synchrony of vocal fold vibration were analyzed. Kymography of the larynx was made for analyzing the value of the Open Quotient (OQ) in the assessment of degree of glottal insufficiency. Study was conducted in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and then repeated 2-3 days before menstruation. RESULTS: In the analyzed group of patients studied before menstruation only 19% of women complained of hoarseness and fatigue of voice, and 81% reported no problems with his voice but the edematous changes in the larynx was recorded by HSDI technique. No women had premenstrual dysphonia in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: HSDI allows objective assessment of the degree of severity of insufficiency of glottal closure and edematous changes in the vocal folds in premenstrual dysphonia, what is confirmed by the objective values of the OQ.

[Effects of electrostimulation therapy in selected cases of vocal fold paralysis]. / Efekty terapii elektrostymulacyjnej w wybranych przypadkach porazen faldów glosowych.

Paralytic dysphonia is the most serious neurogenic pathology of voice quality. An important issue is to identify methods which support routine treatment. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess voice quality after electrostimulation (ES) therapy in patients with paralytic dysphonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The group consisted of 40 patients diagnosed at the Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics and then treated at the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic of the Medical University of Bialystok, Poland in years 2013-2015. In the assessment of voice quality GRBAS scale was used, it was determined voice attack, maximum phonation time (MPT), voice self-evaluation of patients were analyzed using a questionnaire Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Visualization of the vocal fold vibration was performed using High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) technique. The acoustic examination of voice was made during phonation of vowel "a" and continuous linguistic text. Electrostimulation (ES) therapy was performed after determining the ratio á, which conditioned the choice of set of voice exercises (VE) and duration of one-time electrical impulse stimulation. Subjective and objective evaluation was performed before and after ES therapy. The results were compared with a group of patients that received the routine therapy without ES. RESULTS: Subjective, objective and self-evaluation analysis of voice showed a improvement of its quality after ES. Increasing the mobility of vocal folds after ES resulted in an improvement of voice quality parameters in the acoustic assessment. Effectiveness of the ES therapy on the function of the vocal fold vibration was confirmed by HSDI technique. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown that ES therapy is a valuable addition to the routine method of treatment of paralytic dysphonia.

[Rehabilitation of phonosurgically treated patients with edematous-hypertrophic changes of larynx]. / Rehabilitacja pacjentów leczonych fonochirurgicznie z powodu zmian obrzekowo-przerostowych krtani.

UNLABELLED: Advanced change of organic dysphonia are an indication for phonosurgery. Edematous-hypertrophic changes are cause of serious disturbances of voice. High-speed digital imaging (HSDI) technique is the unique method, allowing for assessment the effects of therapy and rehabilitation. AIM: The aim of the study is evaluation the usefulness of vibratory method in voice rehabilitation of patients with edematous-hypertrophic changes treated phonosurgically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The group I contained 40 patients with edematous-hypertrophical changes phonosurgically treated. Type of clinical dysphonia was diagnosed with HSDI technique. Glottal closure was evaluated according to Committee on Phoniatrics of the European Laryngological Society (ELS) classification, postoperative material was pathomorphologically verified by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Patients with hyperfunction of larynx were rehabilitated for 21 days using massage device and after that visualization of larynx by HSDI technique was made again. Control group contains people with physiological voice. RESULTS: Severe dysphonia with oedematous-hypertrophic changes was found by HSDI technique in group I. Postoperative material was evaluated histopathological by TEM and confirmed the existing clinical morphological changes of larynx. Hyperfunction of phonation organ were diagnosed in 30 patients (75%). After 21 days of rehabilitation using massage device, hyperfunction was reduced as confirmed by HSDI. Normalization of amplitude, regularity, synchrony of vibration and physiological glottal closure were found at 67% cases. CONCLUSIONS: HSDI technique in digital sequence is useful in the diagnosis of edematous-hypertrophic changes of the larynx and monitoring the effects of the rehabilitation. Pathomorphological evaluation of postoperative material made by TEM confirmed the rightness of clinical diagnosis of the edematous-hypertrophic changes by HSDI. The consequence of phonosurgical procedures in edematous-hypertrophic changes of larynx is hyperfunction of larynx, confirmed objectively by HSDI technique. The use of massage device causes relaxation of laryngeal structures, normalizing parameters of visualizing evaluation.

[High-speed digital imaging in the diagnosis of voice pathologies]. / Technika szybkiego filmu w sekwencji cyfrowej w diagnostyce patologii narzadu glosu.

Technique of high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) is unique technique, allowing for assessment of real vocal fold vibrations. AIM: The aim of the study is to present the usefulness of HSDI in the diagnosis of clinical type of dysphonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was diagnosed at the Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics at the Medical University of Bialystok and treated at the Phoniatric Clinic in years 2012-2015. HSDI technique with a digital camera was used for visualization of the larynx. The rigid endoscope with 90° optics was used for visualizing the vocal folds vibrations during phonation of "e" vowel, at the rate of 4000 frames per second. Playback of recorded sequence set at 15 frames per second, what allowed to assess vocal folds vibrations in slow motion mode during over 8 minutes. Mucosal wave (MW), glottal closure, symmetry, regularity and synchrony of vocal fold vibration were analyzed. Digital kymography (DKG) of the larynx was made for analyzing the value of the Open Quotient (OQ) in the assessment of degree of glottal insufficiency. RESULTS: In the analyzed group of patients, the functional dysphonia was diagnosed in 71%, organic dysphonia in 29% patients. In 68%, glottal insufficiency was registered in the rear part at the glottis. The oedematous-hypertrophic changes were diagnosed in 21% of the cases, hypertrophic changes of larynx - in 6%, vocal fold polyps - in 3% and vocal fold nodules - in 2% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of the larynx by using HSDI technique is quick, non-invasive to patient. HSDI allows to objective assessment of the degree of severity of insufficiency of glottal closure, what is confirmed by the objective values of the OQ. Evaluation of MW allows for the differentiation of clinical type and severity of organic dysphonia.

Multidimentional assessment of voice quality in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common disorder in world population. As a result of the regurgitation of acid content from the stomach to laryngopharynx and larynx, secondary damage of laryngeal mucosa occur, which is highly sensitive to hydrochloric acid, and morphological changes are observed. Symptomatology of laryngopharyngeal reflux is varied which makes differential diagnosis difficult.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was the assessment of voice quality, morphological changes in larynx as well as etiology of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease.</br> <b><br>Material and method:</b> The severity of dysphonia was classified using perceptual and acoustic methods as well as RSI. Morphological control was performed using HSDI technique and RFS. Etiological factors were examined basing on barofunction of upper esophageal sphincter and 24-hour pH-metry of air exhaled expressed in Ryan score.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> In the majority of patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, dysphonia was recognized, intensified especially in women (G3R2B0A0S3), which was confirmed in Yanagihara classification (type III) and parameters of acoustic analysis. Voice disorders were the most frequently the result of edema and congestion of interarytenoid area, aytenoids and vocal folds. Those symptoms were caused by the decrease of upper esophageal sphincter tension and acidity of exhaled air which was confirmed in 24-hour pHmetry.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> It is important to educate physicians and patients about the possibilty of negative impact of reflux disease on the occurrence of voice quality disorders. Current diagnostic methods for dysphonia guarantee accurate recognition and therapeutic success improving the prognoses of patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.</br>.

Application of High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) technique and voice acoustic analysis in the diagnosis of the clinical form of Presbyphonia in women.

<b>Introduction:</b> The aging process of voice begins after the age of 60 and has an individually variable course. Voice quality disorders at this age are called senile voice (Presbyphonia or Vox Senium). Voice pathology is particularly severe in women. The aim of the study was to diagnose the clinical form of Presbyphonia in elderly women using High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) and acoustic voice analysis. <br><b>Material and methods:</b> Study included 50 elderly women (average age 69) with dysphonia (Group I). Control group (Group II) included 30 women (average age 71) without voice quality disorders. Visualization assessment has been conducted with High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) with High Speed camera (HS). Acoustic evaluation of voice included analysis isolated vowel "a" and continuous linguistic text with Diagnoscope Specialista software. Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) has been determined. <br><b>Results:</b> In Group I, 78% of women revealed vocal folds vibrations asymmetry, vibration amplitude increase, Mucousal Wave (MW) limitation and Type D glottal insufficiency (GTs). Acoustic voice analysis proved decrease in F0, increase in Jitter, Shimmer, NHR. In 22% of women, next to vibrations asymmetry, vibration amplitude reduction and MW limitation, Type E glottal insufficiency (GTs) have been found. Acoustic voice analysis revealed slight decrease in F0 and the presence of numerous non-harmonic components in the glottis region. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Vocal folds visualization with HSDI showed edema, less often atrophy in elderly women. Both forms of dysphonia were caused abnormal values of F0, Jitter, Shimmer, NHR in the acoustic voice evaluation and significant reduction of MPT.

Perceptual and acoustic voice analysis in patients with glottis cancer after endoscopic laser cordectomy.

<b>Introduction:</b> Treatment of glottis cancer, despite oncological safety, should consider postoperative voice quality. CO₂ laser endoscopic cordectomy allows radical removal of the tumor while maintaining respiratory, defensive and phonatory functions. <br><b>The aim:</b> The aim of the study is perceptual and acoustic evaluation of voice in patients after endoscopic CO2 III-Va laser cordectomy due to glottis cancer. <br><b>Material and method:</b> The study included 30 men after CO₂ cordectomy. 13 (43%) patients underwent type III cordectomy, 6 (20%) - type IV; 11 (37%) - type Va. Voice quality has been assessed 6 months after the surgery. Control group included 30 healthy men of the same age. GRBAS scale has been used in perceptual evaluation of voice. Acoustic analysis has been performed using DiagnoScope Specjalista software. Narrowband spectrography and Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) measure has been performed. <br><b>Results:</b> In study group, voice has been classified as G₁R₁B₀A₀S₀ after type III cordectomy; as G₁R₁B₁A₁S₂ in type IV and as G₂R₁B₁A₀S₃ in type Va. Acoustic evaluation revealed the highest values of F0, Jitter, Shimmer and NHR after Va cordectomy as well as non-harmonic components in narrowband spectrography and reduction of MPT. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Postoperative voice quality depends on the type of cordectomy. Perceptual assessment indicates that type IV and Va cordectomy cause intensification of voice disorders. Parameters of acoustic evaluation increase with the extent of the procedure. The presence of non-harmonic components in narrowband spectrography increases with the extent of cordectomy, such as the reduction of MPT. Preservation of anterior commissure influences good voice quality in perceptual and acoustic assessment.

Verbal communication disorders in psychogenic dysphonia.

Psychogenic dysphonia is defined as disturbances in voice and speech quality with emotional background with lack of organic changes in the larynx. Mental condition has significant impact on the process of producing voice, functioning of respiratoryphonatory- articulation mechanism and speech prosody. The aim of the study was visual, acoustic, perceptual assessment as well as self-assessment of voice and speech quality using subjective and objective methods in patients with psychogenic dysphonia. The study included 50 patients with psychogenic dysphonia diagnosed in the Department of Clinical Fonoaudiology and Logopedics, Medical University of Bialystok and treated at the Foniatric Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital in Bialystok in 2017-2018. The control group consisted of 30 subjects with euphonic voice. All patients underwent subjective and objective assessment of voice and speech quality. The GRBAS scale, breathing pathway assessment, respiratory-phonatory-articulation analysis, voice and speech intensity evaluation have been performed. Speech prosody has also been examined. Patient selfassessment of voice has been conducted using Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Objective evaluation of larynx included vibrations of vocal folds visualization using High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI). Acoustic analysis of voice quality has been performed using DiagNova Technologies. The maximum phonation time (MPT) has been determined. Hyperfunctional dysphonia is the most common clinical form of psychogenic dysphonia. Abnormal breathing pathway influence the reduction of MPT and disturbance of respiratory-phonatory-articulation coordination in patients with psychogenic dysphonia. In psychogenic dysphonia intonation and speech rate disorders are observed. Results of voice self-assessment in the majority of examined patients indicates a mild voice disability.

Phonatory compensation in patients with larynx cancer after CO2 laser cordectomy.

INTRODUCTION: CO2 laser endoscopic cordectomy is the method of laryngeal cancer treatment. The type of cordectomy (I-VI) depends on the extent of the tumor. Endoscopic laser surgery provides more satisfactory phonation conditions in comparison to open surgical procedures. THE AIM: The aim of the study was to classify phonatory compensation mechanisms after CO2 laser cordectomy using the HSDI. M aterial and methods: The study included 30 men treated and diagnosed at the Department of Otolaryngology and Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics, Medical University of Bialystok. The control included 30 men with no pathological changes in the larynx. Type III, IV and Va CO2 laser cordectomy have been for glottis cancer treatment. Postoperative evaluation has been conducted 6 months after the surgery. HSDI has been used in larynx visualization. R esults: Type I compensation occurs most frequently in patients after type III cordectomy. Advanced glottis cancer, as an indication for type IV and V cordectomy, leads to epiglottic hyperfunction and phonation involving vestibular folds - type II and III compensation. Type IV compensation is most frequent in type IV cordectomy. C onclusions: The type compensation is connected with the extent of glottis resection. In cordectomy including anterior commissure and the part of opposite fold (type Va), supraglottic hyperfunction with the participation of vestibular folds (type II and III compensation) has been recorded. Transmuscular cordectomy (type III) most often resulted in type I compensation. Type III-Va cordectomy caused reduction or absence of MW, decrease in amplitude and aperiodicity of vibrations in HSDI.

Analysis of voice quality parameters in patients with vestibular voice.

Vestibular voice includes participation of larynx structures which are absent in physiological process. Vestibular phonation may be desired when vocal folds are damaged as in paralytic dysphonia, or undesired in marginal hyperfunction. Vestibular voice may result from psychogenic dysphonia - phononeurosis. The aim of the study is perceptive evaluation of vestibular voice, objective larynx visualization, acoustic and aerodynamic examination. The study included 40 patients: 20 with vestibular voice, 20 with euphonic voice. Voice quality has been evaluated using perceptual GRBAS scale. Endoscopic and stroboscopic larynx examination used Endo-STROB-EL-Xion GmbH with visual tract. High-Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) and High Speed (HS) camera registered true vocal folds vibrations. Acoustic evaluation of voice with DiagnoScope Specjalista, DiagNova Technologies included analysis of F0, Jitter, Shimmer, NHR, nonharmonic components. MPT has been analyzed. In examined group, hoarseness (95%), roughness (75%) and voice strain (55%) have been recorded. Endoscopy revealed edema of vestibular folds with dilation of vessels covering glottis. Stroboscopy and HSDI confirmed coexistence of hyperfunctional (95%) or paralytic (5%) dysphonia. Acoustic assessment revealed increase in Jitter, Shimmer, NHR and decrease in F0 and MPT. The vestibular voice is observed most frequently in women with hyperfunctional dysphonia (phononeuroses) or in paralytic dysphonia. Visualization techniques confirm the coexistence of vestibular folds hypertrophy and edema with vibration disorders. In the perceptual assessment, vestibular voice was hoarse, rough and strained. Acoustic examination showed increase of Jitter, Shimmer, NHR, presence of nonharmonic components and decrease of F0 and MPT.

Psychogenic voice disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Voice express the psyche and personality of a person. Psychogenic dysphonia is called Phononeurosis. Neurosis, depression or family, occupational and social conflicts are the cause of voice disturbances. The most frequent type of dysphonia is hyperfunctional dysphonia, rarer - hypofunctional type. AIM: The aim of this study is an analysis of voice quality and diagnosis of clinical type of psychogenic dysphonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analyzed group consisted of 50 patients with voice disorders treated in 2017 and the control group - 30 people with physiological voice. In the diagnosed group 60% of patients were treated for neurosis, 12% due to depression, the others reported conflict situations. In the diagnosis of clinical type of psychogenic dysphonia GRBAS scale was used, maximum phonation time (MPT) and type of breathing were assessed. The visualisation of the larynx was performed using High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) technique. The parametric acoustic evaluation of voice was conducted. RESULTS: The most often clinical type of psychogenic dysphonia was hyperfunctional dysphonia, rarer hypofunctional type and vestibular voice. Dysphonia occurred the most often in women during the highest professional activity period. In the diagnosis of clinical type HSDI technique was especially useful allowing to visualization of the real vocal fold vibration and objective differentiation of hyper- and hypofunctional dysphonia. The acoustic analysis of the voice objectively confirmed the presence non-harmonic components - noise generated in the glottis in hypofunctional dysphonia. Disturbances in the way and breathing type caused irregularities in respiratory-phonic and articulation coordination.

Subjective and objective assessment of voice quality in pregnancy.

During pregnancy, voice quality disorders may occur in form of: edema, dryness, nervousness. The aim of the study is subjective and objective evaluation of voice quality in pregnant women. The study included 20 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, age of 20-31 diagnosed at the Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics, Medical University of Bialystok. Subjective assessment has been based on the GRBAS scale. Objective assessment of the vocal organ used the HSDI technique (High Speed Digital Imaging). In the laryngeal visualization, high-speed camera (HS) using rigid endoscope with 90 ° optics has been used. Vibration of vocal folds has been recorded during phonation of vowel "e" at 4000 frames / sec. The glottal closure (GTs), symmetry, regularity and synchronization of vocal folds vibration have been assessed. In estimating the degree of glottal insufficiency, kymography of the larynx has been performed by analyzing the value of Open Quotient (OQ). Objective acoustic evaluation of voice has been also conducted using DiagnoScope Specjalista Program. Hoarseness has been observed in 15 pregnant women, whereas voice fatigability in 20 patients. Using HSDI, the edema of vocal folds in part of the group has been observed. Decreased MPT has been found in all examined women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Hoarseness and fatigability of voice are the most frequent subjective symptoms of voice organ in the third trimester of pregnancy. Decreased MPT is recorded objectively, as well as edema and insufficiency of vocal folds using HSDI technique.

Usefulness of high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) in the diagnosis of oedematous - hypertrophic changes of the larynx in people using voice occupationally.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is the evaluation of the usefulness of High-Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) in the diagnosis of organic dysphonia in a form of oedematous-hypertrophic changes of vocal fold mucosa, morphologically confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) method in patients working with voice occupationally. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group consisted of 30 patients working with voice occupationally with oedematous-hypertrophic changes of vocal fold mucosa. Parameters of vocal folds vibrations were evaluated using HSDI technique with a digital HS camera, HRES Endocam Richard Wolf GmbH. The image of vocal folds was recorded with a rate of 4000 frames per second. Postoperative material of the larynx was prepared in a routine way and observed in transmission electron microscope OPTON 900-PC. RESULTS: HSDI technique allows to assess the real vibrations of vocal folds and determine many parameters. The results of TEM in the postoperative material showed destruction of epithelial cells with severe vacuolar degeneration, the enlargement of intercellular spaces and a large number of blood vessels in the stroma, which indicates the presence of oedematous-hypertrophic changes of the larynx. DISCUSSION: The ultrastructural assessment confirm the particular usefulness of HSDI method in the diagnosis of organic dysphonia in a form of oedematous-hypertrophic changes. Key words: High-Speed Digital Imaging, oedematous-hypertrophic changes, vocal fold mucosa, larynx.

An analysis of occupational dysphonia diagnosed in the North-East of Poland.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate factors predisposing to occupational dysphonia in a group of professional voice users. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 374 patients treated in the Clinic of Otolaryngology and the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Bialystok in 1999--2001. Group I consisted of 309 patients qualified as professional voice users. The obtained results were compared with those yielded in a group of 65 persons of other occupations (group II). All the diagnosed patients neither smoked nor abused alcohol. Tobacco smokers, patients with chronic diseases of the respiratory system or individuals exposed to irritating vapors were excluded from the study. The clinical evaluation included phoniatric examinations with use of videoendoscopy (VIS) and videolaryngostroboscopy (VLSS) of the larynx. Based on the larynx endoscopic image the voice organ pathology was diagnosed in the patients as functional and/or organic dysphonia. The former comprised hyperfunctional or hypofunctional dysphonia and insufficiency of the glottis and the latter other laryngeal disturbances. In the statistical analysis chi2 parametric test of independence for two averages was used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Female teachers of primary and lower secondary schools, mean age 43 years, prevailed in the group of professional voice users, in which functional dysphonia was more common. In this group, the onset of organic changes was earlier than that of functional changes and was manifested by soft vocal nodules, edematous and inflammatory changes in the vocal fold mucosa. Functional dysphonia of 3 degrees, 4 degrees and even 5 degrees predominated in the group of professional voice users in the course of their employment.