Surveying Colombian Speech-Language Pathologists on their Reported Training & Practices of Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice

Objective: To explore the training and use of auditory perceptual evaluation of the voice reported by Colombian speech-language pathologists. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational research with a quantitative approach. Methods: A digital questionnaire was designed and distributed to gather information regarding professionals' training process and implementation of auditory-perceptual evaluation procedures. Descriptive statistics were applied, and several generalized linear models were adjusted to determine the influence of certain variables on others. Results: The survey received responses from 40 speech-language pathologists, revealing that the most used scales for training and evaluating vocal quality within this group are direct magnitude estimations (82.5% and 77.5%). Similarly, in this group, the tasks most frequently used to train and use as an evaluation strategy are vowel assessments (38%) followed by spontaneous speech (30%). Practitioners of this group were mostly trained using a conceptual framework involving multiple exposures to rating (42.5%). The use of direct magnitude estimation in training with a normal voice showed significance (p = 0.015), as did the use of the vowel /i/ in training with an equal-appearing interval (p = 0.013). The statistical models relating the scale used to the scale on which participants were trained were also significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The GRBAS scale is the training tool most used by the group of speech-language pathologists of the study group in Colombia. Future efforts should focus on improving training practices for auditory-perceptual evaluation, exploring alternative conceptual frameworks, and incorporating external references to enhance validity and reliability.

Objetivo: Explorar los reportes de fonoaudiólogos colombianos acerca del entrenamiento y uso de la evaluación perceptual auditiva de la voz. Diseño de estudio: Se eligió un diseño de investigación observacional transversal con un enfoque cuantitativo. Metodología: Se diseñó y distribuyó un cuestionario digital para recopilar información sobre el proceso de formación de los profesionales y la implementación de procedimientos de evaluación perceptual auditiva. Se aplicaron estadísticas descriptivas y se ajustaron varios modelos lineales generalizados para determinar la influencia de ciertas variables en otras. Resultados: La encuesta recibió respuestas de 40 fonoaudiólogos, revelando que las escalas más utilizadas para la formación y la evaluación de la calidad vocal en el grupo son las estimaciones de magnitud directa (82.5% y 77.5%). Del mismo modo, en este grupo las tareas más frecuentemente utilizadas para la formación y el uso como estrategia de evaluación son las vocales (38%), seguidas por el habla espontánea (30%). La mayoría de los profesionales del grupo fueron formados utilizando un marco conceptual que involucra múltiples exposiciones a la calificación (42.5%). El uso de la estimación de magnitud directa en la formación con una voz normal mostró significancia (p = 0.015), al igual que el uso de la vocal /i/ en la formación con intervalos de igual apariencia (p = 0.013). Los modelos estadísticos que relacionan la escala utilizada con la escala en la que los participantes fueron entrenados también fueron significativos (p < 0.05). Conclusiones: La escala GRBAS es la herramienta de formación más utilizada por el grupo de fonoaudiólogos del estudio. Los esfuerzos futuros deberían centrarse en mejorar las prácticas de formación para la evaluación perceptual auditiva, explorar marcos conceptuales alternativos e incorporar referencias externas para mejorar la validez y la confiabilidad.

Acoustic and Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation as Predictor of Voice Recovery after Laryngeal Microsurgery in Patients with Vocal Polyp / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate acoustic (acoustic voice quality index, AVQI) and auditory-perceptual evaluation (grade, rough, breathy, asthenic, strained; GRBAS and consensus auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice; CAPE-V) as a predictor of voice recovery after laryngeal microsurgery (LMS) in patients with vocal polyp. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 68 patients with vocal polyp participated in this study. Voice samples were analyzed for AVQI by Praat and auditory-perceptual ratings were performed by three speech language pathologists. Voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10) was evaluated by patients themselves. RESULTS: Decreased AVQI, VHI-10, overall severity (OS), and increased smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) values were measured and statistically significant changes were noted after LMS. The ratio of Grade 0 and Grade 1 was increased. AVQI was correlated with CPPS, Grade, and OS, but not with VHI-10. The voice recovery of pedunculated polyp appeared in all vocal polyp sizes after LMS, but statistically significant differences were found only in small and medium sizes. After LMS of sessile polyps, AVQI, VHI-10, and OS decreased whereas CPPS increased; however, statistically significant difference was confirmed only in VHI-10 and OS. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the following results: AVQI [cutoff=5.5, sensitivity=61.8%, specificity=76.5%, area under the curve (AUC)=0.712], CPPS (cutoff=5.0, sensitivity=89.7%, specificity=48.5%, AUC=0.743), VHI-10 (cutoff=13.0, sensitivity=77.9%, specificity=89.7%, AUC=0.893), Grade (cutoff=2.0, sensitivity=70.6%, specificity=69.1%, AUC=0.728), and OS (cutoff=51.0, sensitivity=86.8%, specificity=66.2%, AUC=0.833). CONCLUSION: Acoustic and auditory-perceptual variables showed significant positive changes and predicted recovery of voice. In this study, we believe that the acoustic and auditory-perceptual evaluations.