Clinical Utility and Validation of the Acoustic Voice Quality and Acoustic Breathiness Indexes for Voice Disorder Assessment in English Speakers.

BACKGROUND: While several acoustic voice metrics are available for clinical voice assessment, there remains a significant need for reliable and ecologically valid tools. The Acoustic Voice Quality Index version 03.01 (AVQI-3) and Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) hold potential due to their comprehensive assessment approach, incorporating diverse voice aspects. However, these tools still need to be validated in English-speaking populations. METHODS: This study assessed the discriminatory accuracy and validity of AVQI-3 and ABI in 197 participants, including 148 with voice disorders. Voice samples were collected, followed by AVQI-3 and ABI calculations. Additionally, auditory-perceptual assessments were conducted by a panel of speech-language pathologists. RESULTS: AVQI-3 and ABI effectively identified disordered voice quality, evidenced by high accuracy (AUCs: 0.84, 0.89), sensitivity, and specificity (thresholds: AVQI-3 = 1.17, ABI = 2.35). Strong positive correlations were observed with subjective voice quality assessments (rs = 0.72, rs = 0.77, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights AVQI-3 and ABI as promising instruments for clinically assessing voice disorders in U.S. English speakers, underscoring their utility in clinical practice and voice research.

The cepstral spectral index of dysphonia, the acoustic voice quality index and the acoustic breathiness index as novel multiparametric indices for acoustic assessment of voice quality.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objective assessment of voice quality using acoustic measures is an important pillar of voice diagnostics. This article reviews three recent acoustic measures and their clinical use in phoniatrics and laryngology. RECENT FINDINGS: Two acoustic parameters, the cepstral spectral index of dysphonia (CSID) and the acoustic voice quality index (AVQI), have gained importance as validated multiparametric indices in the objective assessment of hoarseness because they include both continuous speech and sustained vowels. The acoustic breathiness index (ABI), another multiparametric index, assesses breathiness admixture during phonation and identifies it robustly, unaffected by other characteristics of dysphonia such as roughness. SUMMARY: Acoustic measurements are useful diagnostic tools when used correctly with an appropriate recording system, consideration of environment and use of software programs. CSID, AVQI and ABI objectively improve the detection of voice quality abnormalities. In addition to their proven validity, their application is simple and their usability for clinicians is high.

[Questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept in a neurological practice : Applicability for the identification of patients with high consultation needs]. / Fragebogen zur Erfassung des stimmlichen Selbstkonzepts in einer Nervenarztpraxis : Anwendbarkeit zur Identifikation von Patienten mit hohem Beratungsbedarf.

INTRODUCTION: Hoarseness occurs as a symptom of a multitude of neurological diseases. The importance people attribute to their voice differs greatly and it seems advisable to take this into account during consultation. The Questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept (FESS) is able to measure this importance. The aim of this study was to determine the applicability of the FESS in a neurological and psychiatric medical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 556 patients of a neurological and psychiatic medical practice completed the FESS and the severity of hoarseness was measured objectively by means of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI). Another 75 patients only completed the questionnaire. The value distribution of the questionnaire, the correlation with age and gender, the voice quality as well as the daily strain on the voice were investigated. RESULTS: The value distribution ranges of all three scales of the FESS are completely utilized. Floor and ceiling effects do not play a relevant role. Gender and age do not seem to be of significance. The influence of the measurable voice quality is minor. In contrast a correlation between voice self-concept and the daily voice strain was detected. DISCUSSION: The FESS has the potential to be an interesting instrument for the measurement of the subjective importance of a patient's voice. Here reference values are generated, against which individual results can be correlated. The AVQI provides an inexpensive fast instrument for the objective measurement of hoarseness in a neurological and psychiatric medical practice.