Effect of Chant Training on the Morphology of the Lateral Thyrohyoid Ligament: A Biometric and Acoustic Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chant training both on the morphologic structure of the lateral thyrohyoid ligament (LTL) and on the acoustic characteristics of the voice. METHODS: Three groups of people participated in the study. Group I was new to chant training, group II had completed or was still continuing chant training, and group III, the control group, did not have any chant training. For all participants, laryngeal cervical magnetic resonance imaging was performed to measure the right and the left LTLs. Additionally, vocal acoustic analyses were performed and compared with the anatomic morphometric measurements. Appropriate statistical assessments were performed to evaluate the measurements. RESULTS: The length of the LTL was greater in men, and this finding supports the gender-specific differences in laryngeal structures. Anatomic differences between groups showed that 8 months of training was not sufficient to trigger morphologic changes. The left and right LTLs were asymmetric, but this finding was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses revealed that vocal training causes morphologic changes in anatomic structures, which affect vocal quality.

Evaluation of the Supraglottic and Subglottic Activities Including Acoustic Assessment of the Opera-Chant Singers.

Opera and chant singers learn to effectively use aerodynamic components by breathing exercises during their education. Aerodynamic components, including subglottic air pressure and airflow, deteriorate in voice disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in aerodynamic parameters and supraglottic structures of men and women with different vocal registers who are in an opera and chant education program. Vocal acoustic characteristics, aerodynamic components, and supraglottic structures were evaluated in 40 opera and chant art branch students. The majority of female students were sopranos, and the male students were baritone or tenor vocalists. The acoustic analyses revealed that the mean fundamental frequency was 152.33 Hz in the males and 218.77 Hz in the females. The estimated mean subglottal pressures were similar in females (14.99 cmH2O) and in males (14.48 cmH2O). Estimated mean airflow rates were also similar in both groups. The supraglottic structure compression analyses revealed partial anterior-posterior compressions in 2 tenors and 2 sopranos, and false vocal fold compression in 2 sopranos. Opera music is sung in high-pitched sounds. Attempts to sing high-pitched notes and frequently using register transitions overstrain the vocal structures. This intense muscular effort eventually traumatizes the vocal structures and causes supraglottic activity.