Effect of Age and Gender on Acoustic Voice Quality Index Across Lifespan: A Cross-sectional Study in Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: The human voice is dynamic and changes throughout the life span. The effects of age and gender on acoustical measures of voice quality have been well established. Assessment of voice quality using multiparametric measures has been recommended over singleton measures. Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), which is a multiparametric measure of voice quality, has gained popularity in the recent past. Studies investigating the effect of age on AVQI are very limited especially across the life span. The majority of the studies involving AVQI have been carried out in the European and East Asian populations. There is a dearth of studies involving AVQI in the Indian population. OBJECTIVES: The present study was taken up to investigate the effects of age, gender on the AVQI version 02.02 in the Indian population. The present study also aimed to establish reference data for AVQI in the Indian population. METHOD: AVQI and its constituent parameters were obtained from a total of 200 participants (50 pediatrics, 100 adults and 50 older adults) with an equal number of males and females. Multivariate Analysis of Variance was carried out to check the significant differences across age group and gender for AVQI and its constituent parameters along with interaction effects. RESULTS: AVQI values obtained from the Indian population were slightly higher than those reported in the earlier literature for the European and East Asian populations. AVQI obtained by pediatric and older adult groups was found to be significantly higher when compared to that of adults. Significant age effects were also demonstrated by AVQI. The values of AVQI were found to be more stable in adults than in pediatric and older adult groups. AVQI values did not differ significantly across older adult and pediatric groups. Gender effects were not observed in AVQI. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report changes in AVQI across the lifespan in the Indian population. The present study adds on to the literature the reference measures of AVQI for the Indian population. Findings of the present study suggest that age can have an impact on AVQI v.02.02 values; even though it is independent of gender.

A Preliminary Exploration of Vocal Usage in Prospective Professional Voice Users (PPVUs): Students of the Alimah Course.

BACKGROUND: Students of the Alimah degree are Prospective Professional Voice Users whose career involves teaching, preaching, and conducting religious activities. For them, a cultured and efficient voice is an important prerequisite for a successful career. This study aimed to explore vocal usage and knowledge of voice care among students pursuing the Alimah course. OBJECTIVES: To check the period prevalence of voice problems among the students during the Alimah course, understand communication, and voice usage in daily situations, understand their lifestyle, assess their knowledge about voice and voice care through a self-reporting questionnaire. METHOD: The data were obtained from 150 undergraduate students pursuing the Alimah degree in and around Nagapattinam and Thanjavur districts of Tamil Nadu, India, through a self-reporting questionnaire. RESULTS: The students pursuing the course were at a high risk for developing voice problems, with a period prevalence of 70%. Excessive vocal load, inappropriate diet, phonotraumatic behaviours and limited knowledge of voice care were found to be the threats to voice problems among the population. CONCLUSION: This population with a high prevalence rate of voice problems should be studied further. The authors suggest including lessons on vocal enhancement methods and voice care in the course curriculum of the Alimah degree.