The physiological correlate of perceived vocal loudness is the overpressure of air under the glottis, or the subglottal pressure Psub. Variation of vocal loudness, i.e., of Psub has strong effects on the waveform of the transglottal airflow, also called the voice source. As the voice source is the primary sound itself, which after filtering by the vocal tract resonator is radiated through the l...

OBJECTIVE To analyze the association between noise levels present in preschool institutions and vocal disorders among educators. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted in 2009 with 28 teachers from three preschool institutions located in the city of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil). Sound pressure levels were measured according to Brazilian Technical Standards Association, with the use of a s...

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS Glottal closure and symmetrical thyroarytenoid stiffness are two important functional characteristics of normal phonatory posture. In the treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis, vocal fold medialization improves closure, facilitating entrainment of both vocal folds for improved phonation, and reinnervation is purported to maintain vocal fold bulk and stiffness. A comb...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein located in the cell nucleus. Following injury, immunocompetent cells secrete HMGB1 to the extracellular milieu under the stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Extracellular HMGB1 acts a danger signal that instigates the innate immunity and tissue repair. We previously reported HMGB1 in the vocal fold extr...

Three Music Theater vocal qualities ("chesty belt," "twangy belt," and "legit") were investigated in female singers at their overlap range, between F#4-D5 (~370-600 Hz). Six experienced Music Theater singers performed each quality on two different vowels ([e], [ɔ]). Audio and electroglottographic (EGG) signals were recorded as well as the vocal tract impedance. In chesty belt and twangy belt, s...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To establish the rate of inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid (HA) in vocal fold injection augmentation, determine the most common presenting signs and symptoms, and propose an etiology. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS Patients injected with HA over a 5-year period were reviewed to identify those who had a postoperative inflammatory reaction. Medic...

Deficits in nonverbal vocal expression (e.g., blunted vocal affect, alogia) are a hallmark of schizophrenia and are a focus of the Research Domain Criteria initiative from the National Institute of Mental Health. Results from studies using symptom rating scales suggest that these deficits are profound; on the order of four to six standard deviations. To complement this endeavor, we conducted a ...

Male Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) produce loud and high fundamental frequency bugles during the mating season, in contrast to the male European Red Deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus) who produces loud and low fundamental frequency roaring calls. A critical step in understanding vocal communication is to relate sound complexity to anatomy and physiology in a causal manner. Experimenta...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Despite the high prevalence of voice disorders, the prevalence of laryngeal disease in the general population has not been determined using laryngoscopy. Factors considered associated with laryngeal disease have mostly been assessed using patient data or highly specific populations. We evaluated the prevalence of and associated factors with laryngeal diseases in the genera...