Correlation between Voice and Auditory Processing.

PURPOSE: To compare and to correlate the performance of women with behavioral dysphonia and without voice disorders in auditory processing tests and in the Voice Tone Reproduction Test (VTRT). METHODS: Forty women aged from 18 to 44 years participated and were divided in two groups: dysphonic (DG) and non-dysphonic (NDG). The participants underwent interview, hearing, otorhinolaryngology and voice assessments (voice record, VTRT through phonetography), and auditory processing assessment-using the Pitch Pattern Sequence (PPS) test and the Duration Pattern Sequence (DPS) test. The statistical analysis compared both groups, and there was a correlation test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The NDG had a better performance in the PPS test (P = 0.000), in the VTRT test in the first attempt (P = 0.025), and in the total of correct answers (P = 0.017). There was a positive correlation between the PPS and both the first attempt of the VTRT and the total number of attempts. Regarding the DPS, there was a positive correlation for the left ear with the total number of VTRT attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Dysphonic women presented disorders in temporal auditory processing skills, revealing an important relation between vocal production and impairment of some central auditory functions. There was a positive correlation between the performance in the auditory processing assessment and the performance in voice tone reproduction in both groups. The VTRT may assist speech therapists and voice trainers in verifying difficulties of auditory perception of dysphonic women when the cause is due to behavioral tdysphonia.

Correlation between vocal tract symptoms and modern singing handicap index in church gospel singers. / Sintomas do trato vocal e índice de desvantagem vocal para o canto moderno em cantores evangélicos.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the correlation between vocal tract discomfort symptoms and perceived voice handicaps in gospel singers, analyzing possible differences according to gender. METHODS: 100 gospel singers volunteered, 50 male and 50 female. All participants answered two questionnaires: Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) scale and the Modern Singing Handicap Index (MSHI) that investigates the vocal handicap perceived by singers, linking the results of both instruments (p<0.05). RESULTS: Women presented more perceived handicaps and also more frequent and higher intensity vocal tract discomfort. Furthermore, the more frequent and intense the vocal tract symptoms, the higher the vocal handicap for singing. CONCLUSION: Female gospel singers present higher frequency and intensity of vocal tract discomfort symptoms, as well as higher voice handicap for singing than male gospel singers. The higher the frequency and intensity of the laryngeal symptoms, the higher the vocal handicap will be.

Musculoskeletal Pain and Occupational Variables in Teachers With Voice Disorders and in Those With Healthy Voices-A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare musculoskeletal pain perception in teachers with voice disorders and in those with healthy voices, and to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal pain and occupational variables (ie, work journey per week and working period). METHOD: Forty-three classroom teachers were divided into two groups: dysphonic group (DG), 32 classroom teachers with voice complaints and voice disorders; and non-DG, 11 classroom teachers without voice complaints and who are vocally healthy. The musculoskeletal pain investigation survey was used to investigate the frequency and intensity of the pain. Occupational variables, such as work journey per week and working period, were investigated by the Voice Production Condition-Teacher questionnaire. The statistical tests used were the Spearman correlation (P ≤ 0.05) and the Mann-Whitney U test (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: There was no difference between the frequency and the intensity of musculoskeletal pain regarding dysphonia. Work journey per week was positively related to the frequency and the intensity of laryngeal pain in the DG. The working period had a negative relationship to the frequency and the intensity of musculoskeletal pain in the submandibular region in the DG. CONCLUSION: Classroom teachers with voice disorders and those with healthy voices do not have differences regarding the frequency and the intensity of musculoskeletal pain. Besides dysphonia the pain is an important symptom to be considered in classroom teachers. The occupational variables contributed to the presence of musculoskeletal pain in the region near the larynx, which appears to be directly proportional to work journey per week and inversely proportional to the working period.

Sintomas do trato vocal e índice de desvantagem vocal para o canto moderno em cantores evangélicos / Correlation between vocal tract symptoms and modern singing handicap index in church gospel singers

RESUMO Objetivo correlacionar os sintomas de desconforto do trato vocal e desvantagem de voz percebida em homens e mulheres cantores evangélicos. Método participaram 100 cantores evangélicos, 50 do gênero masculino e 50 do feminino. Todos os participantes responderam a dois questionários: Escala de Desconforto do trato vocal (EDTV) e o Índice de Desvantagem para o Canto Moderno (IDCM). Foi realizada a comparação entre os gêneros, tanto em relação aos sintomas do trato vocal como em relação aos índices de IDCM, por meio do teste Mann-Whitney. Para a correlação entre as respostas na Escala de Desconforto no Trato Vocal e IDCM, foi utilizado o teste de Correlação de Sperman (p<0,05). Resultados cantoras evangélicas apresentaram maior frequência e intensidade de sintomas de desconforto do trato vocal, bem como maior desvantagem vocal para o canto, quando comparadas aos cantores evangélicos. Considerando as respostas de todos os cantores, houve correlações positivas entre os sintomas de desconforto do trato vocal e a desvantagem vocal para o canto. Conclusão as percepções de desconforto em trato vocal e de desvantagem para o canto foram diferentes entre os cantores evangélicos do gênero masculino e feminino no grupo estudado. O maior desconforto no trato vocal e desvantagem no canto foram verificados pelas cantoras. Quanto maior foi a frequência e a intensidade de sintomas de desconforto no trato vocal, maior foi a desvantagem vocal.

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the correlation between vocal tract discomfort symptoms and perceived voice handicaps in gospel singers, analyzing possible differences according to gender. Methods 100 gospel singers volunteered, 50 male and 50 female. All participants answered two questionnaires: Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) scale and the Modern Singing Handicap Index (MSHI) that investigates the vocal handicap perceived by singers, linking the results of both instruments (p<0.05). Results Women presented more perceived handicaps and also more frequent and higher intensity vocal tract discomfort. Furthermore, the more frequent and intense the vocal tract symptoms, the higher the vocal handicap for singing. Conclusion Female gospel singers present higher frequency and intensity of vocal tract discomfort symptoms, as well as higher voice handicap for singing than male gospel singers. The higher the frequency and intensity of the laryngeal symptoms, the higher the vocal handicap will be.

Índice de desvantagem para o canto moderno em cantores evangélicos de igrejas tradicionais e pentecostais / Modern singing handicap index in singers of traditional and pentecostal churches

OBJETIVO: verificar queixas, sintomas vocais e laringofaríngeos e desvantagem vocal de cantores evangélicos, comparando cantores de igrejas tradicionais com cantores de igrejas pentecostais. MÉTODOS: foram analisados 100 cantores evangélicos, de ambos os sexos, divididos em grupos tradicional e pentecostal. Aplicou-se um questionário sobre profissão, autoimagem vocal, queixa, sintomas vocais/laríngeos e o protocolo Índice de Desvantagem Vocal para o Canto Moderno. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente por meio do cálculo da média, porcentagem e comparação entre os grupos (Teste de Mann-Whitney com nível de significância 5%). RESULTADOS: a maioria dos cantores evangélicos não utiliza a voz profissionalmente, e 2% têm conhecimentos sobre técnicas e preparação vocal. O tempo em atividades de canto/ensaio varia de 6 a 8 horas semanais e mais da metade do grupo analisado referiu possuir boa voz. Não houve diferenças significantes quanto às queixas vocais e laringofaríngeas, na comparação entre os grupos. Cantores evangélicos tradicionais apresentaram maior frequência do sintoma vocal "voz forte" quando comparados aos cantores pentecostais, considerando o gênero masculino (p=0,002). Cantores pentecostais do gênero feminino referiram pior resultado para incapacidade (p=0,008), desvantagem (p>0,000) e defeito (p=0,004), quando comparados aos cantores tradicionais do gênero feminino. CONCLUSÃO: com exceção do sintoma "voz forte" mais relatado pelos cantores masculinos do Grupo Tradicional, não houve diferenças significantes em relação à queixa vocal e sintomas vocais entre os grupos estudados. Mulheres do grupo Pentecostal apresentaram pior resultado nas três subescalas, revelando maior desvantagem vocal do que mulheres do grupo Tradicional. .

PURPOSE: to verify complaints, vocal and laryngeal symptoms, and voice handicap in gospel singers, comparing the singers from traditional churches and the pentecostal ones. METHODS: it was analyzed 100 gospel singers from both sexes, divided in traditional and Pentecostal groups. It was addressed a questionnaire about profession, vocal self-image, complaints, vocal/laryngeal symptoms, and the Modern Singing Handicap Index. The obtained data were analyzed statistically using the mean calculus, percentage, and comparison between groups (Mann-Whitney Test with a significance level of 5%). RESULTS: the majority of gospel singers do not use their voices professionally, and 2% have knowledge about techniques and voice prepare. The time of singing activities vary from 6 to 8 hour per week and more than half of studied group reported a good voice. There were no significant differences regarding vocal and laryngeal complaint in the group comparison. Traditional gospel singers had higher occurrence of loud voice when compared to Pentecostal ones, regarding male gender (p=0.002). Female Pentecostal singers reported worst result to disability (p=0.08), handicap (p>0.000), and impairment (p=0.04) when compared to female singers from traditional group. CONCLUSION: With exception from the loud voice symptom often reported by the male traditional singers, there were no significant differences regarding vocal complaint and symptoms between the studied groups. Women from Pentecostal group had worst result in the three subscales, showing higher vocal handicap than women of traditional group. .