Effects of Helium Gas on the Phonatory Function / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The development of saturation diving has enabled men to work underseas at great depths and for long periods of time. However, the utilization of HeO2 gas mixture has been a aubject of much study. This paper present a discussion effect of the helium gas on speech by usling gas machine which have been developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male volunteers without voice problems produced /a/ vowel sound before and after helium gas inhalation. The results were analyzed by using an aerophone, an acoustic analyzer, videostroboscopy, and a nasometer. RESULTS: The first formant, the second formant and the bandwidths of the second formant were significantly increased after helium gas inhalation. A meaningful change was noted in asalance. CONCLUSION: The helium gas has an effect on the resonant structure of oral and nasal cavity due to its physical characteristics.