ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The article reviews current opinions on etiopathogenesis and management of functional total loss of the ability to produce loud voice. Psychogenic aphonia refers to involuntary whispering despite a basically normal larynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] The longitudinal study was carried out on 500 patients treated for psychogenic aphonia during 32 years (1972-2004). Of the facilitating techniques, the following were useful for phoniatric therapy: relaxation and respiration, gargle, chewing, pushing, inhalation phonation, masking, phonetic exercises. RESULTS: During the first day of vocal exercises the voice return to 410 patients (82%). The others required carrying on vocal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The basic importance of phoniatric therapy is recovering the voice during the first day of vocal exercises. Sometimes the aphonic patient profits most from symptomatic voice therapy concurrent with psychotherapy.
Subject(s)
Aphonia/epidemiology , Aphonia/therapy , Voice Training , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aphonia/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Poland/epidemiology , Sex Distribution , Treatment Outcome , Voice QualityABSTRACT
Cochlear implantation by facial recess is nowadays the approach of choice in normal anatomical conditions in the middle and inner ear. When deafness is coincident with chronic otitis media or partial obliteration of the cochlea, others approaches can be applied. Authors presented lateral petrosectomy as an approach for cochlear implantation in two cases. In both patients all the electrodes were inserted. There were any complications in postoperative period. Lateral petrosectomy is nowadays well codified technique. It is possible to apply this approach for cochlear implantation in cases with chronic otitis media. Good access to the cochlea especially to its basal turn allows for good insertion even in partial obliteration of the scala tympani.