Middle age, a key time point for changes in birdsong and human voice.

Voice changes caused by natural aging and neurodegenerative diseases are prevalent in the aging population and diminish quality of life. Most treatments involve behavioral interventions that target the larynx because of a limited understanding of central brain mechanisms. The songbird offers a unique entry point into studying age-related changes in vocalizations because of a well-characterized neural circuitry for song that shares homology to human vocal control areas.

Common Terminology and Acoustic Measures for Human Voice and Birdsong.

Purpose The zebra finch is used as a model to study the neural circuitry of auditory-guided human vocal production. The terminology of birdsong production and acoustic analysis, however, differs from human voice production, making it difficult for voice researchers of either species to navigate the literature from the other. The purpose of this research note is to identify common terminology and measures to better compare information across species.

Frailty Syndrome, Cognition, and Dysphonia in the Elderly.

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to determine the relation of frailty syndrome to acoustic measures of voice quality and voice-related handicap.

Methods: Seventy-three adults (52 community-dwelling participants and 21 assisted living residents) age 60 and older completed frailty screening, acoustic assessment, cognitive screening, and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10). Factor analysis was used to consolidate acoustic measures.

Vocal Fold Vibration in Older Adults With and Without Age-Related Dysphonia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which 7 measures of glottal area timing and regularity differ between older adults with and without age-related dysphonia (ARD).

Method: Laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy was completed at 4,000 frames per second for 42 adults aged 70 years and older (ARD: 9 female, 5 male; control group: 15 female, 13 male). Relative glottal gap, open quotient, speed index, maximum area declination rate, harmonics-to-noise ratio, harmonic richness factor, and standard deviation of fundamental frequency were measured from a 0.

Influence of Left-Right Asymmetries on Voice Quality in Simulated Paramedian Vocal Fold Paralysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the vocal fold structural and vibratory symmetries that are important to vocal function and voice quality in a simulated paramedian vocal fold paralysis.

Method: A computational kinematic speech production model was used to simulate an exemplar "voice" on the basis of asymmetric settings of parameters controlling glottal configuration. These parameters were then altered individually to determine their effect on maximum flow declination rate, spectral slope, cepstral peak prominence, harmonics-to-noise ratio, and perceived voice quality.

Perceptual consequences of changes in epilaryngeal area and shape.

The influence of epilaryngeal area on glottal flow and the acoustic signal has been described [Titze, J. Acoust. Soc.

Acoustic and perceptual effects of left-right laryngeal asymmetries based on computational modeling.

Purpose: Computational modeling was used to examine the consequences of 5 different laryngeal asymmetries on acoustic and perceptual measures of vocal function.

Method: A kinematic vocal fold model was used to impose 5 laryngeal asymmetries: adduction, edge bulging, nodal point ratio, amplitude of vibration, and starting phase. Thirty /a/ and /ɪ/ vowels were generated for each asymmetry and analyzed acoustically using cepstral peak prominence (CPP), harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR), and 3 measures of spectral slope (H1*-H2*, B0-B1, and B0-B2).

Relation of perceived breathiness to laryngeal kinematics and acoustic measures based on computational modeling.

Purpose: In this study, the authors sought to determine (a) how specific vocal fold structural and vibratory features relate to breathy voice quality and (b) the relation of perceived breathiness to 4 acoustic correlates of breathiness.

Method: A computational, kinematic model of the vocal fold medial surfaces was used to specify features of vocal fold structure and vibration in a manner consistent with breathy voice. Four model parameters were altered: vocal process separation, surface bulging, vibratory nodal point, and epilaryngeal constriction.

Developmental changes in the connective tissues of the porcine recurrent laryngeal nerve.

The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) branches from the vagus cranial nerve to innervate structures important for voicing and swallowing. Damage to this nerve, commonly associated with surgery or idiopathic etiologies that largely occur with aging, results in impaired voicing and swallowing (Myssiorek, 2004). Sunderland proposed a model of peripheral nerve damage whereby a nerve's ability to resist damage from stretch and compression is determined by the quantity and composition of its epineurial connective tissues (Sunderland, 1951).

Relation of structural and vibratory kinematics of the vocal folds to two acoustic measures of breathy voice based on computational modeling.

Purpose: To relate vocal fold structure and kinematics to 2 acoustic measures: cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and the amplitude of the first harmonic relative to the second (H1-H2).

Method: The authors used a computational, kinematic model of the medial surfaces of the vocal folds to specify features of vocal fold structure and vibration in a manner consistent with breathy voice. Four model parameters were altered: degree of vocal fold adduction, surface bulging, vibratory nodal point, and supraglottal constriction.

Supracricoid partial laryngectomy: swallowing, voice, and speech outcomes.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to describe the swallowing and vocal function of patients after supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) as they changed over the first postoperative year.

Methods: Ten patients with laryngeal carcinoma underwent SCPL at Johns Hopkins Hospital between August 2003 and May 2005. Clinical and videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations and perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, and video-stroboscopic voice evaluations were completed before operation and at 3 weeks (swallowing only) and 2 (voice only), 6, and 12 months after operation.

High efficiency gene delivery into laryngeal muscle with bidirectional electroporation.

Objective: The impact of polarity change on the efficiency of in vivo electroporative (EP) gene transfection was assessed in rat laryngeal muscle.

Study Design And Setting: High (HV) and low field voltage (LV) were combined with polarity changes to determine transfection in 5 different conditions: 1) without EP (EP[-]), 2) HV+LV (HL), 3) HV+LV followed by HV+LV with no change in polarity (HLHL unidirectional), 4) HV+LV followed by HV+LV with opposite polarity (HLHL bidirectional), 5) HV+LV followed by LV with opposite polarity (HLL bidirectional).

Results: HLL bidirectional sequence showed the best result with less interindividual variability and extended expression period.

The utility of evaluating true vocal fold motion before thyroid surgery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of screening laryngoscopic examination in evaluating vocal fold (VF) mobility before thyroid surgery.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of 340 patients who have undergone thyroid surgery from January 1998 to June 2005 and had preoperative laryngoscopy by mirror, fiberoptic, or videostroboscopic examination. Reports of preoperative voice change or complaint and reports of preoperative VF examination, including the method of examination, were recorded.

Swallowing and speech therapy after definitive treatment for laryngeal cancer.

As the trend in laryngeal cancer treatment shifts towards organ-conservation surgeries and organ-preservation protocols, patients will more often retain anatomy vital to communication and swallowing. Despite a conservative approach, results of treatment may have debilitating effects. Rehabilitation efforts are directed towards a return to functional, if not normal, status.