Voice, Speech, and Clinical Aspects During Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy involves anatomical, physiological, and metabolic changes in a woman's body. However, the effects of these changes on the voice remains unclear, particularly regarding the clinical characteristics. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate changes in vocal and speech acoustic measures and the relationship between them and clinical aspects in women during pregnancy. METHOD: A prospective, longitudinal study was carried out with 41 low risk, adult, pregnant women, followed for prenatal care. Demographic and anthropometric data as well as lifestyle habits and health conditions were collected. Voice recordings of sustained vowels, and automatic and spontaneous speech were held over each trimester and analyzed by PRAAT®to evaluate acoustic, aerodynamic, and articulatory measures. RESULTS: There were no changes in fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and harmony to noise ratio during pregnancy. Maximum phonation time (MPT), pause rate, and pause duration reduced at the end of pregnancy. MPT was lower in sedentary pregnant women. The fundamental frequency peak rate was higher in eutrophic participants and lower in the third trimester in women with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Pause rate was higher in pregnant women with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. There was no relationship between sleep quality, reflux, and vocal symptoms and acoustic and aerodynamic measures. CONCLUSIONS: Differences were shown in MPT and temporal pause measurements during pregnancy. Acoustic measurements did not change. There was a relationship between acoustic and aerodynamic measures and clinical variables (BMI, physical activity, and body mass gain).

Vocal Range in the Speech of Users of Low-Dose Oral Contraceptives.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the vocal range of oral contraceptive (OC) users aged between 20 and 30 years. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Forty-eight women aged 20-30 years who used low-dose OCs and 24 age-matched women who did not use oral monophasic contraceptives (w/oOC) were enrolled. Acoustic analysis was performed using the Motor Speech Profile program, Model 4341 (Kay Elemetrics Corp). Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: In the w/oOC group, the highest vocal tones in the sentence uttered using exclamatory intonation were similar in the follicular phases of two cycles (F1: 289 ± 46 Hz; F2: 284 ± 61 Hz). In the luteal phase of the first cycle, the vocal tones were lower, whereas in the second cycle they were higher than the tones in both follicular phases (L1: 274 ± 42 Hz; L2: 291 ± 62 Hz) (P = 0.056). In the highest vocal tones of the same sentence uttered using exclamatory intonation, the OC group showed lower tones (284 ± 53 Hz) than the w/oOC group (298 ± 44 Hz) (P = 0.048). In the lowest vocal tones of utterances of joy, the OC group showed higher values (180 ± 39 Hz) than the w/oOC group (169 ± 44 Hz) (P = 0.024). The close proximity of the highest to the lowest values of utterances of joy in the OC group (321 ± 59 Hz and 180 ± 39 Hz), when related to the w/oOC group (338 ± 65 Hz and 169 ± 44 Hz), suggests a reduced vocal modulation. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings demonstrate that the use of low-dose OCs influences the vocal range of women during menacme.

A voz no desenho animado: uma análise descritiva / Cartoon voices: a descriptive analysis / La voz en el dibujo animado: un análisis descriptivo

Introdução: A televisão é uma presença constante na infância contemporânea, em especial através dos desenhos animados. As vozes dos personagens nos desenhos animados podem representar padrõesinfluentes na construção das representações linguísticas e sociais das crianças. Objetivo: Descrever parâmetros vocais de heróis e vilões nos desenhos animados e investigar a existência de padrões que caracterizem e diferenciem estes personagens. Material e Método: Estudo transversal, quali-quantitativo de caráter exploratório e descritivo. Constitui-se de uma amostra de 23 trechos de fala de personagens, heróis e vilões de desenhos animados presentes na televisão brasileira. As amostras foram submetidas à análise perceptivoauditiva vocal realizada por três fonoaudiólogos especialistas em voz. Foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros vocais: ressonância, pitch, loudness, modulação vocal, velocidade de fala e articulação. Também foi analisada a presença de abuso vocal e psicodinâmica vocal. Resultados: A ressonância laringofaríngea foi encontrada predominantemente nas vozes de personagens vilões, assim como pitch grave; enquanto os personagens heróis apresentaram uma ressonância equilibrada. Dois personagens heróis apresentaram distorções articulatórias em fricativas e líquidas alveolares. Abuso vocal à emissão foi encontrado em 50% dos personagens, tanto em heróis quanto vilões. Os aspectos psicodinâmicos da voz mostram que heróis apresentam vozes joviais, alegres, corajosas, aflitas e ansiosas, enquanto vilões apresentam vozes maduras, confiantes, ameaçadoras, autoritárias e agressivas. Conclusões: As vozes de heróis e vilões apresentam diferenças nos parâmetros vocais, demonstrando certa caricatura na construção vocal que caracteriza o bem e o mal nos personagens.(AU)

Introduction: Television, especially cartoons, is a constant presence in children?s modern-day life. Cartoon voices may represent influential standards in the construction of linguistic and social representations of children. Objective: this study will seek to describe the voice parameters of heroes and villains in cartoons and investigate whether there are vocal patterns that characterize and differentiate these characters. Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative and descriptive study. It consisted of a sampleof 23 lines from cartoon characters, heroes and villains, found on Brazilian Television. The samples were submitted to vocal perceptual analysis conducted by three experienced speech language pathologists, with the following voice parameters being analyzed: resonance, pitch, loudness, pace, rhythm and clarity of speech. Vocal abuse and psychodynamics of voice has also been analyzed. Results: Chest resonant quality was found predominantly in the voices of villains, as well as low pitch; while heroes presented a balanced resonant voice. Two hero characters show articulatory disorders in fricatives and alveolar trill. Vocal abuse was shown in 50% of the characters, both heroes and villains. No differences were observed regarding loudness, pace and rhythm between hero and villain voices. Psychodynamic voice aspects show that heroes have jovial, cheerful, courageous, distressed and anxious voices, while villainshave mature, confident, threatening, authoritarian and aggressive ones. Conclusions: The voices of heroes and villains seem to differ, demonstrating certain patterns in vocal construction that characterize goodand evil in the characters.(AU)

Introducción: La televisión es una presencia constante en la infancia contemporánea, en especial a través de los dibujos animados. Las voces de los personajes en los dibujos animados pueden representar padrones influyentes en la construcción de las representaciones lingüísticas y sociales de los niños. Objetivo: describir los parámetros vocales de los héroes y villanos en los dibujos animados e investigar si existen padrones vocales que caracterizan y diferencian estos personajes. Material y Método: Estudio transversal, cuali-cuantitativo de carácter exploratorio y descriptivo. Se constituyó una muestra de 23 trechos del habla, de héroes y villanos de los dibujos animados presentes en la televisión brasileña.Las muestras fueron sometidas al analice perceptivo-auditivo vocal realizado por tres fonoaudiólogos especialistas en voz. Fueron analizados los siguientes parámetros vocales: resonancia, pitch, loudness, modulación vocal, velocidad del habla, articulación. También se analizó la presencia de abuso vocal e psicodinámica vocal. Resultados: La resonancia laringofaríngea fue encontrada predominantemente enlas voces de personajes villanos, así como pitch grave; en cuanto a los personajes héroes presentaron una resonancia equilibrada. Dos personajes héroes presentan distorsiones articulatorias en fricativasy líquidas alveolares. El abuso vocal en la emisión fue encontrado en 50% de los personajes héroes y villanos. La psicodinámica vocal muestra que los héroes presentan voces joviales, alegres, valientes, aflictivas y ansiosas, en cuanto a los villanos presentan voces maduras, seguras, amenazadoras, autoritarias y agresivas. Conclusiones: Las voces de héroes y villanos presentan diferencias en los parámetros vocales, demostrando cierta caricatura en la construcción vocal que caracteriza el bien y el mal en los personajes.(AU)

A voz no desenho animado: uma análise descritiva / Cartoon voices: a descriptive analysis / La voz en el dibujo animado: un análisis descriptivo

Introdução: A televisão é uma presença constante na infância contemporânea, em especial através dos desenhos animados. As vozes dos personagens nos desenhos animados podem representar padrões influentes na construção das representações linguísticas e sociais das crianças. Objetivo: Descrever parâmetros vocais de heróis e vilões nos desenhos animados e investigar a existência de padrões que caracterizem e diferenciem estes personagens. Material e Método: Estudo transversal, quali-quantitativo de caráter exploratório e descritivo. Constitui-se de uma amostra de 23 trechos de fala de personagens, heróis e vilões de desenhos animados presentes na televisão brasileira. As amostras foram submetidas à análise perceptivo auditiva vocal realizada por três fonoaudiólogos especialistas em voz. Foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros vocais: ressonância, pitch, loudness, modulação vocal, velocidade de fala e articulação. Também foi analisada a presença de abuso vocal e psicodinâmica vocal. Resultados: A ressonância laringofaríngea foi encontrada predominantemente nas vozes de personagens vilões, assim como pitch grave; enquanto os personagens heróis apresentaram uma ressonância equilibrada. Dois personagens heróis apresentaram distorções articulatórias em fricativas e líquidas alveolares. Abuso vocal à emissão foi encontrado em 50% dos personagens, tanto em heróis quanto vilões. Os aspectos psicodinâmicos da voz mostram que heróis apresentam vozes joviais, alegres, corajosas, aflitas e ansiosas, enquanto vilões apresentam vozes maduras, confiantes, ameaçadoras, autoritárias e agressivas. Conclusões: As vozes de heróis e vilões apresentam diferenças nos parâmetros vocais, demonstrando certa caricatura na construção vocal que caracteriza o bem e o mal nos personagens.

Introduction: Television, especially cartoons, is a constant presence in children?s modern-day life. Cartoon voices may represent influential standards in the construction of linguistic and social representations of children. Objective: this study will seek to describe the voice parameters of heroes and villains in cartoons and investigate whether there are vocal patterns that characterize and differentiate these characters. Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative and descriptive study. It consisted of a sampleof 23 lines from cartoon characters, heroes and villains, found on Brazilian Television. The samples were submitted to vocal perceptual analysis conducted by three experienced speech language pathologists, with the following voice parameters being analyzed: resonance, pitch, loudness, pace, rhythm and clarity of speech. Vocal abuse and psychodynamics of voice has also been analyzed. Results: Chest resonant quality was found predominantly in the voices of villains, as well as low pitch; while heroes presented a balanced resonant voice. Two hero characters show articulatory disorders in fricatives and alveolar trill. Vocal abuse was shown in 50% of the characters, both heroes and villains. No differences were observed regarding loudness, pace and rhythm between hero and villain voices. Psychodynamic voice aspects show that heroes have jovial, cheerful, courageous, distressed and anxious voices, while villainshave mature, confident, threatening, authoritarian and aggressive ones. Conclusions: The voices of heroes and villains seem to differ, demonstrating certain patterns in vocal construction that characterize goodand evil in the characters.

Introducción: La televisión es una presencia constante en la infancia contemporánea, en especial a través de los dibujos animados. Las voces de los personajes en los dibujos animados pueden representar padrones influyentes en la construcción de las representaciones lingüísticas y sociales de los niños. Objetivo: describir los parámetros vocales de los héroes y villanos en los dibujos animados e investigar si existen padrones vocales que caracterizan y diferencian estos personajes. Material y Método: Estudio transversal, cuali-cuantitativo de carácter exploratorio y descriptivo. Se constituyó una muestra de 23 trechos del habla, de héroes y villanos de los dibujos animados presentes en la televisión brasileña.Las muestras fueron sometidas al analice perceptivo-auditivo vocal realizado por tres fonoaudiólogos especialistas en voz. Fueron analizados los siguientes parámetros vocales: resonancia, pitch, loudness, modulación vocal, velocidad del habla, articulación. También se analizó la presencia de abuso vocal e psicodinámica vocal. Resultados: La resonancia laringofaríngea fue encontrada predominantemente enlas voces de personajes villanos, así como pitch grave; en cuanto a los personajes héroes presentaron una resonancia equilibrada. Dos personajes héroes presentan distorsiones articulatorias en fricativasy líquidas alveolares. El abuso vocal en la emisión fue encontrado en 50% de los personajes héroes y villanos. La psicodinámica vocal muestra que los héroes presentan voces joviales, alegres, valientes, aflictivas y ansiosas, en cuanto a los villanos presentan voces maduras, seguras, amenazadoras, autoritarias y agresivas. Conclusiones: Las voces de héroes y villanos presentan diferencias en los parámetros vocales, demostrando cierta caricatura en la construcción vocal que caracteriza el bien y el mal en los personajes.

Impacto da atividade laboral de teleatendimento em sintomas e queixas vocais: estudo analítico / Impact of call center work in subjective voice symptoms and complaints: an analytic study

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência de sintomas vocais, os fatores de risco ocupacionais associados e o impacto desses sintomas na atividade profissional do teleoperador. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal analítico com 124 teleoperadores e 109 funcionários da área administrativa (grupo controle) selecionados a partir de amostra aleatória estratificada por gêneros. Os participantes responderam a um questionário autoaplicável, anônimo, envolvendo questões referentes à presença de sintomas vocais, potenciais fatores de risco para disfonia e impacto dos sintomas vocais na atividade profissional. A presença de um ou mais sintomas vocais referidos com frequência diária ou semanal foram considerados como positivos para a presença de sintomas vocais. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de sintomas vocais encontrada foi de 33 por cento em teleoperadores e 21 por cento no grupo controle, indicando uma associação entre sintomas vocais e a atividade de teleoperador. Quando ajustado para fatores de confundimento, essa associação permaneceu no sentido do risco. Em teleoperadores com sintoma vocal, a sensação de ar seco, o ruído ambiental e a ausência de repouso vocal se mostraram mais frequentes. Quase 70 por cento dos teleoperadores com sintomas vocais referiram que estes interferem na sua atividade profissional. A taxa de absenteísmo pelos sintomas vocais no grupo foi de 29 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: Os sintomas vocais são mais frequentes em teleoperadores se comparados com seus pares controles e afetam de modo significativo seu desempenho profissional.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of vocal symptoms, occupational risk factors, associated symptoms and their impact on the professional activity of the telemarketers. METHODS: Cross-section analytical study with 124 telemarketers and 109 administrative workers (control group) selected from a random sample stratified by gender. The subjects answered an anonymous self-administered questionnaire involving issues related to the presence of vocal symptoms, potential risk factors for dysphonia, and vocal impact of symptoms in professional activity. The presence of one or more voice symptoms that occurred daily or weekly was considered positive for the presence of vocal symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of vocal symptoms was found in 33 percent of telemarketers and in 21 percent of the control group, indicating an association between vocal symptoms and the activity of the telemarketer. When adjusted for confounders, this association remained in the sense of risk. In telemarketers, the sensation of dry air, ambient noise, and lack of vocal rest were the most frequently reported complaints reported by those presenting vocal symptoms. Almost 70 percent of telemarketers with vocal symptoms reported that these symptoms interfere with their professional activity. The rate of absenteeism by vocal symptoms in this group was 29 percent. CONCLUSION: Vocal symptoms are common in most telemarketers when compared to their peer controls, and significantly affect their job performance.

Impact of call center work in subjective voice symptoms and complaints--an analytic study.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of vocal symptoms, occupational risk factors, associated symptoms and their impact on the professional activity of the telemarketers. METHODS: Cross-section analytical study with 124 telemarketers and 109 administrative workers (control group) selected from a random sample stratified by gender. The subjects answered an anonymous self-administered questionnaire involving issues related to the presence of vocal symptoms, potential risk factors for dysphonia, and vocal impact of symptoms in professional activity. The presence of one or more voice symptoms that occurred daily or weekly was considered positive for the presence of vocal symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of vocal symptoms was found in 33% of telemarketers and in 21% of the control group, indicating an association between vocal symptoms and the activity of the telemarketer. When adjusted for confounders, this association remained in the sense of risk. In telemarketers, the sensation of dry air, ambient noise, and lack of vocal rest were the most frequently reported complaints reported by those presenting vocal symptoms. Almost 70% of telemarketers with vocal symptoms reported that these symptoms interfere with their professional activity. The rate of absenteeism by vocal symptoms in this group was 29%. CONCLUSION: Vocal symptoms are common in most telemarketers when compared to their peer controls, and significantly affect their job performance.