Effectiveness of a Voice Training Program for Religious Officials in Turkey.

This study examines the effectiveness of a voice training program designed for Islamic religious officials, who are occupational voice users with a significant vocal load. The participants included 34 healthy religious officials whose acoustic measures were within normal voice ranges for healthy adults (jitter < 1%; shimmer < 3%) and reported no voice complaints. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (experimental, n = 17; control, n = 17). The two-stage voice training program consisted of 32 sessions over 8 weeks with informative and voice exercise stages. Objective and subjective voice measurements were performed at the beginning and end of the research. Objective measurements included fundamental frequency, percentage of vocal pitch perturbation (jitter), percentage of vocal intensity perturbation (shimmer), and harmonics-to-noise ratio. Subjective voice measurements included the Singing Voice Handicap Index, Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQoL) scores. All initial measurements other than VFI scores were within acceptable limits for both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups initially (p > 0.05) and no significant changes in the control group in the second evaluation (p > 0.05). However, there was significant improvement in the experimental group after the training program in all measures, including VFI scores (p < 0.05). This study shows the positive results of a voice training program. Voice training should be integrated into the formal education of occupational voice users or in-service training programs of relevant institutions.

Comparative Study on the Acoustic Analysis of Voice in Auditory Brainstem Implantees, Cochlear Implantees, and Normal Hearing Children.

The aim of the study was to compare the acoustic characteristics of voice between Auditory Brainstem Implantees, Cochlear Implantees and normal hearing children. Voice parameters such as fundamental frequency, formant frequencies, perturbation measures, and harmonic to noise ratio were measured in a total of 30 children out of which 10 were Auditory Brainstem Implantees, 10 were Cochlear Implantees and 10 were normal hearing children. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were done to establish the nature of significance between the three groups. Overall deviancies were seen in the implanted group for all acoustic parameters. However abnormal deviations were seen in individuals with Auditory Brainstem Implants indicating the deficit in the feedback loop impacting the voice characteristics. The deviancy in feedback could attribute to the poor performance in ABI and CI. The CI performed comparatively better when compared to the ABI group indicating a slight feedback loop due to the type of Implant. However, there needs to be additional evidence supporting this and there is a need to carry out the same study using a larger sample size and a longitudinal design.

A spectrum-of-spectrum filtering method to extract direct and multipath arrivals from simulations and measurements.

In measurements and numerical modelling of wave propagation, undesired interference between direct and multipath arrivals can be reduced using Fourier-based signal processing methods. Existing methods, such as cepstral analysis and time-signal gating, are not applicable to all cases. Here, an alternative Fourier-based signal processing method is presented, called spectrum-of-spectrum (SoS) filtering. Its main advantage over existing methods is its ability to extract single direct or multipath arrivals for relatively short propagation distances even when subsequent arrivals do not become successively weaker. The method is based on the following steps: •Apply a lowpass filter to the real and imaginary parts of an input frequency spectrum individually, using a digital finite impulse response (FIR) filter in the frequency domain.•Recombine the filtered real and imaginary parts of the frequency spectrum to get the frequency spectrum of the direct arrival.•For extraction of the first multipath arrival, subtract the filtered frequency spectrum from the input frequency spectrum and repeat the previous steps. Repeat multiple times to extract subsequent multipath arrivals.

Formant-Aware Spectral Analysis of Sustained Vowels of Pathological Breathy Voice.

OBJECTIVES: This paper reports the effectiveness of formant-aware spectral parameters to predict the perceptual breathiness rating. A breathy voice has a steeper spectral slope and higher turbulent noise than a normal voice. Measuring spectral parameters of acoustic signals over lower formant regions is a known approach to capture the properties related to breathiness. This study examines this approach by testing the contemporary spectral parameters and algorithms within the framework, alternate frequency band designs, and vowel effects. METHODS: Sustained vowel recordings (/a/, /i/, and /u/) of speakers with voice disorders in the German Saarbrueken Voice Database were considered (n: 367). Recordings with signal irregularities, such as subharmonics or with roughness perception, were excluded from the study. Four speech language pathologists perceptually rated the recordings for breathiness on a 100-point scale, and their averages were used in the analysis. The acoustic spectra were segmented into four frequency bands according to the vowel formant structures. Five spectral parameters (intraband harmonics-to-noise ratio, HNR; interband harmonics ratio, HHR; interband noise ratio, NNR; and interband glottal-to-noise energy, GNE, ratio) were evaluated in each band to predict the perceptual breathiness rating. Four HNR algorithms were tested. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression models of spectral parameters, led by the HNRs, were shown to explain up to 85% of the variance in perceptual breathiness ratings. This performance exceeded that of the acoustic breathiness index (82%). Individually, the HNR over the first two formants best explained the variances in the breathiness (78%), exceeding the smoothed cepstrum peak prominence (74%). The performance of HNR was highly algorithm dependent (10% spread). Some vowel effects were observed in the perceptual rating (higher for /u/), predictability (5% lower for /u/), and model parameter selections. CONCLUSIONS: Strong per-vowel breathiness acoustic models were found by segmenting the spectrum to isolate the portion most affected by breathiness.

Differences and Reliability of Linear and Nonlinear Acoustic Measures as a Function of Vocal Intensity in Individuals With Voice Disorders.

PURPOSE: Linear acoustic indices are significantly influenced by speaking voice intensity. The main aim of this work was to compare acoustic measures based on linear and nonlinear models in different speaking voice intensity levels and to analyze the reliability of those measures in different intensity levels in subjects with voice disorders. METHODS: 435 samples from subjects (314 women, 121 men with a mean age of 41.07 ± 13.73) diagnosed with various voice disorders were used. In total, 17 acoustic measures were derived from the vowel /ɛ/ sustained at three intensity levels (soft, comfortable, and loud). Five were linear (standard deviation of the fundamental frequency (f0), jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS)), and twelve were nonlinear measures, namely correlation dimension (D2), correlation entropy (H2), first minimum of the mutual information function (FMMI), relative entropy (ENTR-R), largest Lyapunov exponent (Lyap), determinism (DET), transitivity, mean diagonal line length (Lmed), Shannon entropy (ENTR-S), mean length of vertical structures, also known as trapping time (TT), laminarity (LAM) and recurrence period density entropy (RPDE). Differences between speaking voice intensity levels were assessed by Friedman's test and Nemenyi as posthoc test. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to investigate if each acoustic measure remains in agreement (reliability) between different voice intensity levels. RESULTS: There were significant differences in all acoustic measures about vocal intensity level (P < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficient was very good for HNR (>0.61) and good for Lyap, DET, ENTR-S, Lmed, RPDE, and TT (0.41-0.60). CONCLUSIONS: All acoustic measures varied as a function of vocal intensity in voice disordered adults, while this relation was different for linear and nonlinear measures. Only the measures HNR, Lyap, DET, ENTR-S, Lmed, RPDE and TT had an acceptable reliability between different voice intensity levels. Therefore, patient`s voice SPL should be controlled or indicated during acoustic vocal assessment.

Perception of Children's Productions of /l/: Acoustic Correlates and Effects of Listener Experience.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of listeners' experience with child speech and phonetic training on perceptual judgment of children's word-initial /l/ productions. The acoustic correlates of acceptable and misarticulated productions of /l/ and their relation to listeners' experience with child speech were explored. METHODS: Three listener groups listened to children's word-initial /l/ productions embedded in monosyllabic words and judged the "/l/-likeness" of the productions using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Three listener groups included (a) speech-language pathologists with at least 10 years of experience (SLP group), (b) graduate students in speech-language pathology (GS group), and (c) naïve listeners with no clinical phonetics experience (NL group). Acoustic correlates (both static and dynamic measures) of listeners' perception of /l/ sounds were also investigated. RESULTS: While mean VAS ratings did not differ significantly by listener group, the SLP group used a wider range of the VAS than the GS and NL groups. Correlational analysis between the static measure (F2-F1 values) and mean listener ratings showed that listeners tend to perceive sounds with the highest F2-F1 values more as /j/ than /l/, while those with the lowest F2-F1 value were perceived more as /w/ than /l/, especially for sounds that are in between phonemic categories. Listener ratings were not highly correlated with dynamic measures. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that experienced listeners use the VAS more continuously than less experienced listeners to indicate perception of subphonemic features of children's productions of /l/, and that their ratings correlate with acoustic measures. Furthermore, listeners with experience with child speech and phonetic training are more sensitive to subphonemic features of children's productions of /l/, especially for misarticulated productions. This supports the clinical use of VAS for perceptual judgments of children's /l/ productions.

Developments of GNSS buoy for a synthetic geohazard monitoring system.

A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) buoy system for early tsunami warnings has been developed for more than 20 years. The first GNSS buoy system using a real-time kinematic algorithm (RTK) was implemented in the Nationwide Ocean Wave information network for Ports and HArbourS (NOWPHAS) wave monitoring system in Japan in 2008. The records of NOWPHAS were used to update the tsunami alert by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), owing to the tsunami generated by the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake (Mw9.0). However, considering that the distance limit is less than 20 km for the RTK algorithm, a new system was designed by introducing a new positioning algorithm and satellite data transmission to place the buoy much farther from the coast. A new technique for the continuous monitoring of ocean-bottom crustal movements was also implemented in the new system. The new buoy system can be used for weather forecasting and ionospheric monitoring as well.

Acoustic Effects of Vocal Warm-Up: A 7-Week Longitudinal Case Study.

OBJECTIVE: A case study was used to determine which acoustic parameters would be sensitive to a SOVT-based vocal warm-up over the duration of a standard voice treatment. METHODS: The longitudinal research design consisted of repeated voice measures during 7 weeks from a single subject, a 48-year-old male occupational voice user with a history of voice disorders. A steady phonation and running speech tasks were performed before and after an intensive 1-minute water-resistance voice exercise (WRT). Acoustic assessment of the pre-and postrecordings from each session was obtained with freely accessible software (e.g., Audacity, PRAAT) and acoustic measures (e.g., fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, alpha ratio, NHR, HNR, L1L0, Cepstral Peak Prominence smoothed). RESULTS: After WRT, the analysis indicated that jitter, shimmer, and NHR had a small but statistically significant decrease, while alpha ratio, CPPS, and HNR had a statistically significant increase. For the days where there were six repetitions, there was a larger effect in the later repetitions in the day for some metrics (i.e., alpha ratio, shimmer, NHR, CPPS), while others had the biggest effect in the first two repetitions in a day (i.e., jitter, HNR). CONCLUSIONS: A short vocal water-resistance voice task had a positive effect on the short-term acoustic voice metrics after each repetition of the exercise, independent of the number of repetitions throughout the day. When five repetitions of this exercise routine occurred, there was a more substantial influence on the proportion of acoustic voice changes.

Comparative bioacoustics: a roadmap for quantifying and comparing animal sounds across diverse taxa.

Animals produce a wide array of sounds with highly variable acoustic structures. It is possible to understand the causes and consequences of this variation across taxa with phylogenetic comparative analyses. Acoustic and evolutionary analyses are rapidly increasing in sophistication such that choosing appropriate acoustic and evolutionary approaches is increasingly difficult. However, the correct choice of analysis can have profound effects on output and evolutionary inferences. Here, we identify and address some of the challenges for this growing field by providing a roadmap for quantifying and comparing sound in a phylogenetic context for researchers with a broad range of scientific backgrounds. Sound, as a continuous, multidimensional trait can be particularly challenging to measure because it can be hard to identify variables that can be compared across taxa and it is also no small feat to process and analyse the resulting high-dimensional acoustic data using approaches that are appropriate for subsequent evolutionary analysis. Additionally, terminological inconsistencies and the role of learning in the development of acoustic traits need to be considered. Phylogenetic comparative analyses also have their own sets of caveats to consider. We provide a set of recommendations for delimiting acoustic signals into discrete, comparable acoustic units. We also present a three-stage workflow for extracting relevant acoustic data, including options for multivariate analyses and dimensionality reduction that is compatible with phylogenetic comparative analysis. We then summarize available phylogenetic comparative approaches and how they have been used in comparative bioacoustics, and address the limitations of comparative analyses with behavioural data. Lastly, we recommend how to apply these methods to acoustic data across a range of study systems. In this way, we provide an integrated framework to aid in quantitative analysis of cross-taxa variation in animal sounds for comparative phylogenetic analysis. In addition, we advocate the standardization of acoustic terminology across disciplines and taxa, adoption of automated methods for acoustic feature extraction, and establishment of strong data archival practices for acoustic recordings and data analyses. Combining such practices with our proposed workflow will greatly advance the reproducibility, biological interpretation, and longevity of comparative bioacoustic studies.

Investigating voice differences in teachers with and without self-reported voice disorders, and healthcare workers without self-reported voice disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The present study had two objectives: (1) to investigate differences in voice parameters between teachers with and without self-reported voice disorders and (2) to find differences in voice parameters between teachers and healthcare workers without self-reported voice disorders. METHOD: Three respondents' groups were formed: teachers with self-reported voice disorders (mean age, 47 years; range, 34-60 years), teachers without self-reported voice disorders (46; 27-64), and healthcare workers without self-reported voice disorders (45; 31-63). All participants were women. Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, frequency and intensity range, Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI), and perceived stress (PSS) were assessed in respondents. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of teachers noted two or more vocal symptoms daily or weekly. Teachers with self-reported voice disorders had a higher degree of perceived stress (18 vs. 13, p = .009), higher score on the VHI (25 vs. 13, p = .001), and lower score on the DSI (2.65 vs. 3.21, p = .037), than teachers without self-reported voice disorders. The VHI-30 score of 15 points could be a cut off value describing voice disorders in female teachers. Differences between teachers and health care workers without self-reported voice disorders were found in MPT (p = .001), F0 (p = .012), jitter (p = .009), DSI (p = .023), and the perceived stress score (p = .041). CONCLUSIONS: The teaching profession can influence the voice, and the presence of psycho-emotional factors can lead to the development of voice disorders in teachers.

Software Sensor for Airflow Modulation and Noise Detection by Cyclostationary Tools.

The paper presents tools to model low speed airflow coming from a turbulent machine. This low speed flow have instabilities who generate noise disturbances in the environment. The aim of the study proposed in this paper, is the using of cyclostationary tools with audio signals to model this airflow and detect the noisy frequencies to eliminate this noise. This paper also deals with the extraction in real time of the frequency corresponding to the noise nuisance. This extraction makes it possible to build a software sensor. This software sensor can be used to estimate the air flow rate and also to control a future actuator which will reduce the intensity of the noise nuisance. This paper focuses on the characteristic of the sound signal (property of cyclostationarity) and on the development of a software sensor. The results are established using an experimental setup representative of the physical phenomenon to be characterised.

Vocal characteristics of 5-year-old children: proposed normative values based on a French-speaking population†.

Purpose: Previous research proposed normative data on gender- and age-specific voice acoustics for adults. Such reference values are lacking for children, particularly under the age of 6. This study was intended (1) to collect reliable normative data for the acoustic parameters of 5-year-old children's voices, and (2) to investigate potential gender-specific differences.Study: Prospective and cross-sectional.Methods: Acoustic analyses were done on the voices of 53 normophonic children (26 girls; 27 boys) aged 5;0-5;11 years, using Praat software. The fundamental frequency, local jitter, local shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR) were measured on the sustained vowels [a], [i], and [u]. The highest frequency, lowest frequency, and frequency range were measured using ascending and descending glissandi on the vowel [a].Results: For the three sustained vowels, the mean fundamental frequency ranged from 255 Hz to 277 Hz, mean jitter ranged from 0.394% to 0.591%, mean shimmer ranged from 2.571% to 5.824%, and mean NHR ranged from 0.009 to 0.034. The frequency range was from 190 Hz to 750 Hz, which corresponds to 23.7 semitones. No gender difference was found, except for NHR on the vowel [a].Conclusions: The lack of gender differences - other than for NHR on the vowel [a] - led us to propose mixed norms for 5-year-old boys and girls combined.Implications: These normative data will allow clinicians to compare children's voice assessments to specific references in order to enhance diagnostic accuracy and measure therapy outcomes.

Influence of Voice Focus Adjustments on Oral-Nasal Balance in Speech and Song.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of training backward and forward voice focus adjustments on oral-nasal balance in speech and singing in typical speakers. METHODS: Twenty participants (10M/10F) aged 24.25 (SD 3.73) years read phonetically balanced, nasal and oral speech stimuli, and sang a song in both forward and backward voice focus conditions. A Nasometer 6450 was used to obtain nasalance scores in the different conditions. RESULTS: Results indicated that forward voice focus resulted in more nasality (p < 0.01) for the oral stimulus and song. Backward voice focus caused a decrease in nasality (p < 0.01) for the nasal stimulus, the phonetically balanced paragraph, and the song. During production of the song, males were more nasal in the forward voice focus condition than females (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Voice focus can influence oral-nasal balance in normal speakers. More research is needed to investigate whether voice focus adjustments could be helpful to speakers with oral-nasal balance disorders.

Measurements of Normal Incidence Reflection Loss as a Function of Temperature at the Water-Castor Oil Interface.

Reflection loss at the water-castor oil interface as a function of temperature was measured in a direction normal to the interface using a 200-kHz acoustic signal. The acoustic impedance of water increases with temperature, whereas that of castor oil decreases. The measured reflection losses varied from 30 to 65 dB, and a sharp rising peak in reflection loss was observed at the temperature at which the acoustic impedance of water became equal to that of castor oil. This temperature is called the temperature of intromission in this paper. These measurements were compared with the model predictions based on a Rayleigh-reflection model using the measured sound speeds of both fluids. The sound speeds in water and castor oil as functions of temperature are the input parameters of the Rayleigh-reflection model, and were measured directly using an arrival time difference method in the temperature range of 5 to 30 °C. The comparison results imply that temperature is an important factor affecting the reflection at the interface separating the two fluids.

Do Standard Instrumental Acoustic, Perceptual, and Subjective Voice Outcomes Indicate Therapy Success in Patients With Functional Dysphonia?

OBJECTIVES: The validity and sensitivity to change of instrumental acoustic measurements in patients with functional dysphonia have been controversially discussed. This work examines combined voice therapy effects on standard acoustic measurements, and if these agree with perceptual and subjective voice outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (26 women, 13 men) aged 20-70 years (mean: 46.3, standard deviation 12.8) with functional dysphonia were investigated before and after combined voice therapy. Instrumental parameters included mean and range of speaking fundamental frequency (fo) and intensity (SPL (dBA)); maximum SPL and mean fo of calling voice; minimum, maximum, range of singing voice fo and SPL, jitter (%), and the Dysphonia Severity Index. Voice Handicap Index-9 international was used for subjective and Grading-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain scale for perceptual assessment. Differences were investigated by Wilcoxon signed ranks test and coherences by Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: After treatment, the speaking voice fo range (7-8.13 semitones) and SPL range (12.9-14.85 dB(A)) were significantly larger (P < 0.05). Both parameters were highly correlated (P < 0.001). Subjective symptoms were significantly reduced from a mean Voice Handicap Index-9 international of 15.6-8.6, and all perceptual Grading-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain scale parameters were significantly improved (G: 1.05-0.51) after therapy (P < 0.05). These findings were not associated with any acoustic parameter (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Significantly improved subjective and perceptual findings verify positive combined voice therapy effects in patients with functional dysphonia. The larger fo and SPL speaking voice range after treatment indicate an altered voice technique. These instrumental measures may be clinical indicators of therapy success and transfer effects.

PAP treatment in patients with OSA does not induce long-term nasal obstruction.

We hypothesized that positive airway pressure treatment would induce nasal obstruction and decrease nasal cavity due to mucosal swelling. We further hypothesized that subjective and objective nasal obstruction at baseline would negatively affect positive airway pressure adherence. A total of 728 patients with sleep apnea were investigated in the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort at baseline and 2 years after starting positive airway pressure. Patients underwent home sleep apnea testing at baseline. Questionnaires were answered and acoustic rhinometry was completed at baseline and follow-up. The proportion of patients reporting subjective nocturnal nasal obstruction was reduced (baseline: 35% versus follow-up: 24%; p < 0.001). Small interior nasal dimensions increased (p < 0.001) independent of adherence to treatment. Small nasal volume at baseline was a determinant for becoming a non-user of positive airway pressure treatment (odds ratio 2.22, confidence interval 95% 1.35-3.67, p = 0.002). Subjective nasal obstruction decreased 2 years after initiating positive airway treatment in sleep apnea, and objectively small nasal dimensions increased. Small nasal volume at baseline was a negative predictor for positive airway pressure treatment adherence. Maybe most importantly, positive airway pressure treatment did not cause long-term objective or subjective nasal obstruction.

A New, Noninvasive Accelerometric Method for Diagnosing Acid andNon-Acid Gastroesophageal Reflux in Premature Infants: Proof of Concept.

Non-acid reflux is common in premature neonates. Current methods of diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux (GER) such as pH probes, multichannel impedance monitoring, X-rays, or endoscopy are either invasive or unable to diagnose non-acid reflux. Passage of a naso-esophageal tube is uncomfortable. Imaging studies are of short duration and may miss reflux entirely. Herein, we present proof of concept of a noninvasive accelerometric device that detects acid and non-acid reflux in premature infants. An accelerometer was taped over the subxiphoid process in patients suspected of having GER who were already scheduled for pH probe or multichannel impedance monitoring. The largest cohort was preterm infants, but term infants and toddlers were also studied. Low-frequency subaudible signals were obtained on a digital recorder (sampling rate 200 Hz) signals. Fast Fourier transforms graphically displayed the frequency and amplitude of signals. Data were then resampled at a rate of 60 Hz to create a spectrogram with a focused range of 0-30 Hz representing reflux-associated events. Proof of concept was attained through successful comparison with results from concurrent pH probes, multichannel impedance recordings, and ultrasound studies. We have thus validated accelerometry as a noninvasive method for assessing both acid and non-acid GER. The noninvasiveness of this diagnostic modality allows for repeated testing to assess the efficacy of anti-reflux medications, even when patients remain on antacids. This technology allows for more rational management of patients with GER and represents a major advance in the diagnosis and treatment of GER.

Hydraulic System Onboard Monitoring and Fault Diagnostic in Agricultural Machine

Abstract Agricultural Machinery as an off-road vehicle is the backbone of the World agricultural industry. Its main function is to operate as a prime mover and support the power requirements to function the various type of draft implements. In this regards, the hydraulic system is an important part and is controlled by the propagated oil which is cleaned by impurities and debris using a filter system. Once it blocks, the bypass opens to avoid any pressure burst of the system, and the particles find their way into the hydraulic system and get lodged in the gears, pumps, valves, and drive train to hinder the performance of the Agricultural Machinery. This research presents an onboard Multiple Signal Classification Algorithm (MUSIC) and pseudo-spectrum analysis as a computational tool used by cellphones to analyze the particle pollution level of the hydraulic filter. This analysis is carried out on the soundtracks recorded from different cell phones in different incremental stages of fluid contamination to the particles until it being choked, based on the standard of ISO4406.

Correlation of the Iranian Voice Quality of Life Profile (IVQLP) with Acoustic Measurements across Three Common Voice Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The Iranian Voice Quality of Life Profile (IVQLP) is a recent culture-based developed tool for assessing the quality of life of dysphonic patients. The research questions addressed here are as follows: (1) Are the correlations between IVQLP scores and values of objective voice measures? (2) Do the correlations differ across the three different voice disorders? METHODS: The subjects were divided into three groups: muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) (n = 62), benign midmembranous vocal fold lesions (n = 56), and unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) (n = 32). The study sample consisted of 91 males and 59 females. The individuals had a mean age of 46.53 ± 13.84 years. All of the participants completed the IVQLP questionnaire. The PRAAT software was used to provide acoustic analyses. The correlations between fundamental frequency (F0), perturbation analyses, harmonics-to-noise ratio, and IVQLP data of the three groups of patients were measured using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the total score and jitter in the MTD group. For the benign vocal fold lesion group, correlations were significant and relatively strong for numerous analyses. Again, there were numerous significant and strong correlations for the UVFP group. CONCLUSIONS: Results may indicate two interpretations. One interpretation of the results is that patients with morphological tissue changes (lesions, paralysis) appear to associate their sense of how their voice problem negatively affects their lives. A second interpretation is that there is perhaps a threshold of vocal perturbation or instability that lends itself to a patient's connection to his or her sense of how the voice affects his or her quality of life.

Effectiveness of a Short Voice Training Program for Teachers: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Using their voices in inappropriate working conditions causes teachers to misuse their voices, because in order to be heard they need to force their voices. OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study examines the effects of a short-term voice training program aimed at teachers. METHODS: The pre- and posttraining evaluations consisted of acoustic, perceptual (GRBAS [grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain]), aerodynamic, and subjective measurements (VHI-10). RESULTS: The results indicate that the voice performance of teachers improves after 25 hours of training. Specifically, significant changes are observed at the acoustic level, in fundamental frequency (F0) and in frequency perturbation measures (Jitter, PPQ [pitch perturbation quotient]), as well as in subjective voice assessment using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10), in both the physical subscale (VHI-P) and the total score (VHI-T). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the effectiveness of the training program and discusses the most sensitive measures for evaluating the short-term effect of the change.