A Comparison of Countertenor Singing at Various Professional Levels Using Acoustic, Electroglottographic, and Videofluoroscopic Methods.

INTRODUCTION: The vocal characteristics of countertenors (CTTs) are poorly understood due to a lack of studies in this field. This study aims to explore differences among CTTs at various professional levels, examining both disparities and congruences in singing styles to better understand the CTT voice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four CTTs (one student, one amateur, and two professionals) sang "La giustizia ha già sull'arco" from Handel's Giulio Cesare, with concurrent videofluoroscopic, electroglottography (EGG), and acoustic data collection. Auditory-perceptual analysis was employed to rate professional level. Acoustic analysis included LH1-LH2, formant cluster prominence, and vibrato analysis. EGG data was analyzed using FonaDyn software, while anatomical modifications were quantified using videofluoroscopic images. RESULTS: CTTs exhibited EGG contact quotient values surpassing typical levels for inexperienced falsettos. Their vibrato characteristics aligned with expectations for classical singing, whereas the presence of the singer's formant was not observed. Variations in supraglottic adjustments among CTTs underscored the diversity of techniques employed by CTT singers. CONCLUSIONS: CTTs exhibited vocal techniques that highlighted the influence of individual preferences, professional experience, and stylistic choices in shaping their singing characteristics. The data revealed discernible differences between professional and amateur CTTs, providing insights into the impact of varying levels of experience on vocal expression.

Spectrographic Voice Analysis Protocol (SAP): Convergent, Concurrent, and Accuracy Validity.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the convergent and concurrent validity of the Spectrographic Voice Analysis Protocol (SAP) and its accuracy to discriminate dysphonic from nondysphonic patients. METHOD: The study used 82 vowel /Ɛ/ samples and their respective narrowband spectrograms, analyzed with SAP. Cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and cepstral peak prominence smoothed (CPPS) verified the convergent validity of the SAP total score, while the general grade of vocal deviation (GG) verified the concurrent validity of the SAP total score. The ROC (receive operator curve) curve and its accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) verified the accuracy of the SAP score to discriminate dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals. RESULTS: Dysphonic and nondysphonic had different SAP total scores. In the convergent validity, the SAP score had a weak and moderate negative correlation, respectively, with CPP and CPPS, as well as a moderate positive correlation with GG. SAP performed well in discriminating dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals (area under the curve = 82.0%; sensitivity = 91.7%; specificity = 51.7%; PPV = 93.7%; NPV = 44.0%; LR+ = 6.21; LR- = 0.53) based on the 8-point cutoff score. CONCLUSION: SAP has convergent validity with CPP and CPPS and concurrent validity with GG. The SAP total score performed well in discriminating dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals. However, the specificity, NPV, and LR- values justify cautiously using SAP, always in combination with other information in clinical voice assessment.

The Influence of Presbylarynx Status on Objective Measures of the Aging Voice.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to assess objective voice measures in an elderly population representative of those seen in a tertiary laryngology practice, stratified by sex and presbylarynx status, and compare their measures to each other and to a cohort of young adult patients aged 40 years or less. The secondary objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the strobovideolaryngoscopy findings across all groups and compare the voice complaints and subjective questionnaire results between the presbylarynx and non-presbylarynx groups. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-six adult voice patients (147 females/139 males) were included in this study and stratified into one of three groups: (1) young adults aged 40 years or less (n = 122), (2) patients over the age of 60 without presbylarynx (n = 78), and (3) patients over the age of 60 with a diagnosis of presbylarynx (n = 86). The acoustic analysis included fundamental frequency (F0), voice intensity, standard deviation of the fundamental frequency (SDFF), jitter (Jitt), relative average perturbation (RAP), shimmer (Shim), noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR), and others. The aerodynamic and pulmonary assessment included maximum phonation time (MPT), S/Z ratio, mean flow rate (MFR), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and maximal mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75). Coexisting vocal fold conditions and pathologies were also characterized and compared. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 28.0.0.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY). All tests were performed in two-tailed, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Assessment of vocal fold features revealed a significantly higher prevalence of benign vocal fold lesions in the young adult group for males and females compared to both elderly groups but significantly lower prevalence of vocal fold edema only in young adult females compared to the elderly female groups. Among males, young adults differed significantly from both elderly groups with regard to SDFF, Shim, FEV1, and FEF25-75. However, Jitt and RAP only differed significantly between the young adult and presbylarynx groups. Among females, young adults differed significantly from both elderly groups for F0, SDFF, Jitt, RAP, NHR, CPP, MFR, FEV1, and FEF25-75. However, the non-presbylarynx group had a significantly lower S/Z ratio than the young adult and presbylarynx groups. A comparison of voice complaints between elderly groups revealed breathiness to be significantly more common in the presbylarynx group compared to the non-presbylarynx group, but no other significant differences were found in voice complaints or questionnaire scores. CONCLUSION: When interpreting objective voice measures, it is critical to consider differences in vocal fold features alongside age-related changes. In addition, sex-related differences in anatomy and the aging process may explain discrepancies in significant findings between young adults and elderly patients stratified by presbylarynx status. However, presbylarynx status alone appears insufficient to generate significant differences in most objective voice measures among the elderly. Yet, presbylarynx status may be sufficient to generate differences in perceptual voice symptoms.

Technological tools for the measurement of sensory characteristics in food: A review.

The use of technological tools, in the food industry, has allowed a quick and reliable identification and measurement of the sensory characteristics of food matrices is of great importance, since they emulate the functioning of the five senses (smell, taste, sight, touch, and hearing). Therefore, industry and academia have been conducting research focused on developing and using these instruments which is evidenced in various studies that have been reported in the scientific literature. In this review, several of these technological tools are documented, such as the e-nose, e-tongue, colorimeter, artificial vision systems, and instruments that allow texture measurement (texture analyzer, electromyography, others). These allow us to carry out processes of analysis, review, and evaluation of food to determine essential characteristics such as quality, composition, maturity, authenticity, and origin. The determination of these characteristics allows the standardization of food matrices, achieving the improvement of existing foods and encouraging the development of new products that satisfy the sensory experiences of the consumer, driving growth in the food sector. However, the tools discussed have some limitations such as acquisition cost, calibration and maintenance cost, and in some cases, they are designed to work with a specific food matrix.

The Impact of Languages and Cultural Backgrounds on Voice Quality Analyses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of different cultural backgrounds and languages on the perception of voice quality. Another aim was to evaluate the correlation between clinical auditory-perceptual judgments with acoustic measurements, such as the acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) and the acoustic breathiness index (ABI), i.e., their effect on the concurrent validity. METHODS: Brazilian and European participants rated 2 culturally and linguistically different datasets (i.e., 150 Brazilian Portuguese and 218 German voice sample sets), with each dataset containing concatenated voice samples of continuous speech and sustained phonation. The raters evaluated the vocal quality in terms of the overall voice quality and breathiness. Intra- and interrater reliabilities were also tested. The psychometric qualities of the AVQI and the ABI (concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy) were analyzed, considering the perceptual ratings of Brazilian and European participants for each dataset. RESULTS: Rater reliability decreased for nonnative participants when evaluating the nonnative dataset. Brazilian raters perceived the German voices as more severe, whereas German raters considered the overall voice quality of Brazilian voices as less severe than native raters. The concurrent validity of the AVQI and the ABI, i.e., the agreement with the auditory-perceptual evaluations, was high irrespectively of the group of participants. The diagnostic accuracy, which refers to the ability to identify a deviated voice, was higher, considering the perceptual evaluations of native listeners. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian raters classified voice quality as more deviated, and the Brazilian voice samples were measured to be less severe (a possible language characteristic). Further studies are necessary to verify whether there was a task or sample consequence or if adjustments to the AVQI and ABI equations are required for Brazilian Portuguese.

Acoustic Measures of Brazilian Transgender Women's Voices: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: This study aims to compare the acoustic vocal analysis results of a group of transgender women relative to those of cisgender women. Methods: Thirty transgender women between the ages of 19 and 52 years old participated in the study. The control group was composed of 31 cisgender women between the ages of 20 and 48 years old. A standardized questionnaire was administered to collect general patient data to better characterize the participants. The vowel /a/ sounds of all participants were collected and analyzed by the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program advanced system. Results: Statistically significant differences between cisgender and transgender women were found on 14 measures: fundamental frequency, maximum fundamental frequency, minimum fundamental frequency, standard deviation of fundamental frequency, absolute jitter, percentage or relative jitter, fundamental frequency relative average perturbation, fundamental frequency perturbation quotient, smoothed fundamental frequency perturbation quotient, fundamental frequency variation, absolute shimmer, relative shimmer, voice turbulence index (lower values in the cases), and soft phonation index (higher values in the cases). The mean fundamental frequency value was 159.046 Hz for the cases and 192.435 Hz for the controls. Conclusion: Through glottal adaptations, the group of transgender women managed to feminize their voices, presenting voices that were less aperiodic and softer than those of cisgender women.

Fundamental Frequency and Intensity Effects on Cepstral Measures in Vowels from Connected Speech of Speakers with Voice Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and smoothed CPP (CPPS) have been described as reliable parameters to detect overall dysphonia in standardized connected speech samples. Recent studies indicate that vocal intensity (sound pressure level, SPL) and fundamental frequency (fo) changes may influence cepstral measurement results in healthy speakers. The main aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of prosody related SPL and fo variations on cepstral measures in speech of adults with voice disorders. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Recordings of CAPE-V sentences from 27 voice disordered Brazilian Portuguese speakers (19 women, eight men) with a mean age of 45 years (SD = 13) were investigated. Five /a/ vowels were manually extracted from stressed syllables in different positions. Voice fo (Hz), SPL (dBA), CPP (dB), and CPPS (dB) were computed using PRAAT. Statistical analysis included Linear Mixed Models with ANCOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. RESULTS: Voice SPL as single factor and combined with fo had a highly significant effect (P ≤ 0.001), while fo alone had no significant impact on both CPP and CPPS (P ≥ 0.77). Voice fo, SPL, CPP, and CPPS of the first vowel were all significantly lower than of the last vowel (P ≤ 0.03). CONCLUSION: In vowel samples from connected speech of adults with voice disorders, we observed better CPP and CPPS in higher voice SPL alone and combined with higher fo. Further, the vowel position influenced the present results. A larger clinical study should confirm how prosody related SPL and fo and vowel position effects could be controlled for in connected speech samples.

Validation of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index, Version 03.01, to the Brazilian Portuguese Language.

INTRODUCTION: Multiparametric indexes provide a more robust acoustic analysis of voice quality considering more than one acoustic parameter in the evaluation of sustained phonation and continuous speech. However, once the continuous speech is considered, differences among languages must be addressed. OBJECTIVE: To assess the concurrent validity and the diagnostic accuracy of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index version 03.01 (AVQI 03.01) in the Brazilian Portuguese. METHOD: The counting numbers 1-20 and the vowel /a/ of 150 subjects were used (37 nondysphonic; 113 with dysphonia). To reach higher precision of the AVQI, the length of the voiced parts of the continuous speech and the sustained vowel were equalized. Nine voice specialists performed the perceptual auditory judgment of the samples. However, only five listeners were chosen for further analysis based on their moderate to substantial intrarater reliability (Cohen's Kappa: 0.605-0.773) and their reasonable inter-rater reliability (Fleiss Kappa: 0.429). The index concurrent validity and diagnosis accuracy were analyzed with the Spearman correlation and the receiver-operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: The AVQI 03.01 concurrent validity was high (r = 0.716). The coefficient of determination demonstrated that 51% of the vocal deviation can be explained by the acoustic analysis (r2 = 0.512). The diagnostic accuracy was excellent (90.4%). At a threshold of 1.33, the AVQI sensitivity and specificity were 78.8% and 90.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The AVQI is a valid tool in the Brazilian Portuguese language. It can be used as a screening tool, for clinical follow-up and evaluation pre- and post-treatment/procedures. Voice specialist should be aware of false-negative and false-positive results of the AVQI, especially for screening purposes.

Variabilidad de micrófonos utilizados para análisis acústico de la voz en los últimos veinte años / Variability of microphones used for acoustic analysis of the voice in the last twenty years

Se realizó una reflexión sobre la selección, durante los últimos 20 años, de los micró-fonos utilizados en estudios científicos que consideran análisis acústico y que son he-chos por profesionales de la voz. Se revisaron los equipos escogidos en 21 artículos ­a través del motor de búsqueda de Google, principalmente Google Scholar­ en los que la metodología consideraba el análisis acústico. Solo 4 de los 21 documentos elegidos realizaron una selección acertada según los estándares actuales de microfonía para fines de muestreo. Se determinó que los procesos de estandarización deben continuar con su perfeccionamiento

A reflection was made on the selection of microphones used in scientific studies, per-formed in the last 20 years, that consider acoustic analysis and are made by voice spe-cialists. The selected equipment was reviewed in 21 articles ­found through the Goo-gle engine, mainly Google Scholar­ in which the methodology considered acoustic analysis. Only 4 of the 21 chosen articles made an accurate selection according to the most recent microphone standards for sampling purposes. It was determined that the standardization processes should continue to be refined

Cut-off point for high dysphonia risk in children based on the Child Dysphonia Risk Screening Protocol: preliminary findings

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to establish a cut-off point for high dysphonia risk in children using the Child Dysphonia Risk Screening Protocol (DRSP-C). METHODS: Through a preliminary study, voice recordings of 59 children (4-12 years of age) were collected during an auditory-perceptual analysis using the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice protocol. Thirty of the patients had voice disorders (patient group), and 29 did not (control group). A risk score for dysphonia was then calculated, and data were compared between groups. The relationship between overall degrees of deviation and questionnaire scores was analysed. The questionnaire's validity was verified from the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and cut-off points were obtained based on diagnostic criteria for screening procedures. RESULTS: The DRSP-C score was found to be higher for the patient group, as was the partial score for vocal behaviour. No correlation was found between overall degrees of dysphonia and questionnaire scores. The area under the ROC curve was measured as 0.678, denoting limited diagnostic capacity. The cut-off point was set at 16.50. Thus, above this value, dysphonia risk is higher. CONCLUSION: A cut-off point for high dysphonia risk was calculated. The DRSP-C proved to be a promising tool for children's clinical vocal and health promotion and should be used in conjunction with General Dysphonia Risk Screening.

Acoustic Voice Modifications in Individuals with Parkinson Disease Submitted to Deep Brain Stimulation.

Introduction Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) improves motor function in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The evidence about the effects of STN-DBS on the voice is still inconclusive. Objective To verify the effect of STN-DBS on the voice of Brazilian individuals with PD. Methods Sixteen participants were evaluated on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-Part III, and by the measurement of the acoustic modifications in on and off conditions of stimulation. Results The motor symptoms showed significant improvement with STN-DBS on. Regarding the acoustic measures of the voice, only the maximum fundamental frequency (fhi) showed a statistical difference between on- and off-conditions, with reduction in off-condition. Conclusion Changes in computerized acoustic measures are more valuable when interpreted in conjunction with changes in other measures. The single finding in fhi suggests that DBS-STN increases vocal instability. The interpretation of this result should be done carefully, since it may not be of great value if other measures that also indicate instability are not significantly different.

Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy / Alterações laríngeas e vocais após tireoidectomia

Abstract Introduction: Dysphonia is a common symptom after thyroidectomy. Objective: To analyze the vocal symptoms, auditory-perceptual and acoustic vocal, videolaryngoscopy, the surgical procedures and histopathological findings in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Methods: Prospective study. Patients submitted to thyroidectomy were evaluated as follows: anamnesis, laryngoscopy, and acoustic vocal assessments. Moments: pre-operative, 1st post (15 days), 2nd post (1 month), 3rd post (3 months), and 4th post (6 months). Results: Among the 151 patients (130 women; 21 men). Type of surgery: lobectomy + isthmectomy n = 40, total thyroidectomy n = 88, thyroidectomy + lymph node dissection n = 23. Vocal symptoms were reported by 42 patients in the 1st post (27.8%) decreasing to 7.2% after 6 months. In the acoustic analysis, f0 and APQ were decreased in women. Videolaryngoscopies showed that 144 patients (95.3%) had normal exams in the preoperative moment. Vocal fold palsies were diagnosed in 34 paralyzes at the 1st post, 32 recurrent laryngeal nerve (lobectomy + isthmectomy n = 6; total thyroidectomy n = 17; thyroidectomy + lymph node dissection n = 9) and 2 superior laryngeal nerve (lobectomy + isthmectomy n = 1; Total thyroidectomy + lymph node dissection n = 1). After 6 months, 10 patients persisted with paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (6.6%). Histopathology and correlation with vocal fold palsy: colloid nodular goiter (n = 76; palsy n = 13), thyroiditis (n = 8; palsy n = 0), and carcinoma (n = 67; palsy n = 21). Conclusion: Vocal symptoms, reported by 27.8% of the patients on the 1st post decreased to 7% in 6 months. In the acoustic analysis, f0 and APQ were decreased. Transient paralysis of the vocal folds secondary to recurrent and superior laryngeal nerve injury occurred in, respectively, 21% and 1.3% of the patients, decreasing to 6.6% and 0% after 6 months.

Resumo Introdução: A disfonia é um sintoma comum após a tireoidectomia. Objetivo: Analisar os sintomas vocais, auditivo-perceptivos e acústica vocal, videolaringoscopia, procedimento cirúrgico e achados histopatológicos em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. Método: Estudo prospectivo. Pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia foram avaliados da seguinte forma: anamnese, laringoscopia e avaliações vocais acústicas. Momentos: pré-operatório, 1ª avaliação pós (15 dias), 2ª avaliação pós (1 mês), 3ª avaliação pós (3 meses) e 4ª avaliação pós-operatória (6 meses). Resultados: Dos 151 pacientes, 130 eram mulheres e 21, homens. Tipos de cirurgia: lobectomia + istmectomia n = 40, tireoidectomia total n = 88, tireoidectomia + dissecção de linfonodo n = 23. Sintomas vocais foram relatados por 42 pacientes na 1ª avaliação pós-operatória (27,8%), reduzidos para 7,2% após 6 meses. Na análise acústica, f0 e APQ estavam diminuídos nas mulheres. As videolaringoscopias mostraram que 144 pacientes (95,3%) tiveram exames normais no momento pré-operatório. Paralisia das cordas vocais foi diagnosticada em 34 pacientes na 1ª avaliação pós-operatória, 32 do nervo laríngeo recorrente (lobectomia + istmectomia - n = 6; tireoidectomia total - n = 17; tireoidectomia total + dissecção de linfonodos - n = 9) e 2 do nervo laríngeo superior (lobectomia + istmectomia - n = 1; tireoidectomia total + dissecção de linfonodos - n = 1). Após 6 meses, 10 pacientes persistiram com paralisia do nervo laríngeo recorrente (6,6%). Histopatologia e correlação com paralisia das cordas vocais: bócio coloide nodular (n = 76; paralisia n = 13), tireoidite (n = 8; paralisia n = 0) e carcinoma (n = 67; paralisia n = 21). Conclusão: Os sintomas vocais, relatados por 27,8% dos pacientes na 1ª avaliação pós-operatória, diminuíram para 7% em 6 meses. Na análise acústica, f0 e APQ diminuíram. A paralisia transitória de cordas vocais secundária à lesão do nervo laríngeo recorrente e nervo laríngeo superior ocorreu, respectivamente, em 21% e 1,3% dos pacientes, reduziu-se para 6,6% e 0% após 6 meses.

Vocal assessment of addicts on methadone therapy via the RBH scale and objective acoustic parameters / Avaliação da voz de drogaditos em terapia com metadona através da escala de rugosidade, soprosidade e aspereza, e parâmetros acústicos objetivos

Abstract Introduction: A large number of people around the world struggle daily to become free of their addiction to illegal psychoactive substances. In order to create an atmosphere of improved supervision, established communication and improved quality of life for drug addicts, centers have been set up to provide methadone as a substitute. Objective: The aim of the research was to assess the vocal features of drug addicts on methadone therapy via subjective and objective parameters, to ascertain if vocal damage has occurred and to determine whether subjective and objective acoustic vocal parameters are related, and how. Methods: The research included 34 adults of both genders who were undergoing methadone treatment. A subjective vocal evaluation assessed voice pitch and clarity, while the subjective acoustic analysis utilized the Roughness-Breathiness-Hoarseness scale of roughness-breathiness-hoarseness. Objective acoustic analysis was conducted after recording and analyzing an uninterrupted vocal /a/ of at least three seconds duration, using the "GllotisController" software. Results: The subjective acoustic analysis using the Roughness-Breathiness-Hoarseness scale showed pathological values in 52.9% male and 47% female participants. The average values of the roughness-breathiness-hoarseness for the entire sample were 0.91, 0.38 and 0.50, respectively. Lower roughness was associated with a higher fundamental frequency (f0) and lower jitter and shimmer values (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between breathiness, jitter (p < 0.01) and shimmer (p < 0.05), and between hoarseness and jitter (p < 0.01). Conclusion: A statistically significant correlation was found between the two subjective vocal assessments, voice clarity and pitch, and Roughness-Breathiness-Hoarseness scale, and the parameters of the objective acoustic vocal assessment.

Resumo Introdução: Um grande número de pessoas em todo o mundo luta diariamente para livrar-se de seu vício em substâncias psicoativas ilegais. Com o objetivo de criar uma atmosfera de supervisão melhorada, comunicação estabelecida e melhora da qualidade de vida para drogaditos, foram criados centros que fornecem a substância substitutiva metadona. Objetivo: Avaliar a voz de drogaditos que recebem terapia com metadona através de parâmetros subjetivos e objetivos, para determinar o eventual dano à voz, bem como determinar se os parâmetros vocais acústicos subjetivos e objetivos estão interligados e como isso ocorre. Método: A pesquisa incluiu 34 participantes, usuários de terapia com metadona, de ambos os sexos. A avaliação vocal subjetiva consistiu na avaliação do tom (pitch) e clareza da voz, enquanto a análise acústica subjetiva consistiu no uso da escala RSA, de rugosidade, soprosidade e aspereza. A análise acústica objetiva foi realizada após a gravação e análise da vocalização ininterrupta de /a/ com duração de no mínimo três segundos, com o software GllotisController. Resultados: A análise acústica subjetiva utilizando a escala RSA mostrou valores patológicos em 52,9% de homens e 47% em mulheres. Os valores médios dos parâmetros rugosidade, soprosidade e aspereza para toda a amostra foram 0,91, 0,38 e 0,50, respectivamente. O parâmetro rugosidade mais baixo esteve associado a valores mais altos de frequência fundamental (f0) e menor jitter e o shimmer (p < 0,05). Entre o parâmetro soprosidade e o jitter (p < 0,01) e o shimmer (p < 0,05) houve uma correlação estatisticamente significante, bem como entre o parâmetro aspereza e o jitter (p < 0,01). Conclusão: Foi encontrada uma correlação estatisticamente significante entre a avaliação vocal subjetiva da clareza e do tom (pitch) da voz e os parâmetros da avaliação vocal acústica objetiva, bem como os parâmetros da análise vocal acústica subjetiva utilizando a escala de rugosidade, soprosidade e aspereza e os parâmetros acústicos objetivos.

Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Dysphonia is a common symptom after thyroidectomy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the vocal symptoms, auditory-perceptual and acoustic vocal, videolaryngoscopy, the surgical procedures and histopathological findings in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. METHODS: Prospective study. Patients submitted to thyroidectomy were evaluated as follows: anamnesis, laryngoscopy, and acoustic vocal assessments. Moments: pre-operative, 1st post (15 days), 2nd post (1 month), 3rd post (3 months), and 4th post (6 months). RESULTS: Among the 151 patients (130 women; 21 men). Type of surgery: lobectomy+isthmectomy n=40, total thyroidectomy n=88, thyroidectomy+lymph node dissection n=23. Vocal symptoms were reported by 42 patients in the 1st post (27.8%) decreasing to 7.2% after 6 months. In the acoustic analysis, f0 and APQ were decreased in women. Videolaryngoscopies showed that 144 patients (95.3%) had normal exams in the preoperative moment. Vocal fold palsies were diagnosed in 34 paralyzes at the 1st post, 32 recurrent laryngeal nerve (lobectomy+isthmectomy n=6; total thyroidectomy n=17; thyroidectomy+lymph node dissection n=9) and 2 superior laryngeal nerve (lobectomy+isthmectomy n=1; Total thyroidectomy+lymph node dissection n=1). After 6 months, 10 patients persisted with paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (6.6%). Histopathology and correlation with vocal fold palsy: colloid nodular goiter (n=76; palsy n=13), thyroiditis (n=8; palsy n=0), and carcinoma (n=67; palsy n=21). CONCLUSION: Vocal symptoms, reported by 27.8% of the patients on the 1st post decreased to 7% in 6 months. In the acoustic analysis, f0 and APQ were decreased. Transient paralysis of the vocal folds secondary to recurrent and superior laryngeal nerve injury occurred in, respectively, 21% and 1.3% of the patients, decreasing to 6.6% and 0% after 6 months.

Popular and Classical Female Singers: Acoustic Comparison of Voice Use in the Song Melodia Sentimental (Sentimental Melody) by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare acoustic characteristics of classical and popular female singers' vocal performances in Heitor Villa-Lobos' Melodia Sentimental (Sentimental Melody). METHOD: Long-term average spectrum acoustic analysis and long-term voice onset time (VOT) were performed for two consonants /d/ in the first six verses of Melodia Sentimental sang by 10 professional singers: five classical (GC) and five popular (GP). RESULTS: Classical singers presented prominence in the region of the frequencies between 2.5 and 3.5 kHz, not observed in the majority of the popular singers' group. The GC group showed lighter spectral decline curves and the numerical value of decline was also lower. Classical singers presented lower long-term voice onset time values, which indicates a longer period of glottic closure. CONCLUSION: Acoustic analysis revealed that classical singers have more energy in glottic closure associated with a shorter duration of glottic coaptation.

Vocal assessment of addicts on methadone therapy via the RBH scale and objective acoustic parameters.

INTRODUCTION: A large number of people around the world struggle daily to become free of their addiction to illegal psychoactive substances. In order to create an atmosphere of improved supervision, established communication and improved quality of life for drug addicts, centers have been set up to provide methadone as a substitute. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the research was to assess the vocal features of drug addicts on methadone therapy via subjective and objective parameters, to ascertain if vocal damage has occurred and to determine whether subjective and objective acoustic vocal parameters are related, and how. METHODS: The research included 34 adults of both genders who were undergoing methadone treatment. A subjective vocal evaluation assessed voice pitch and clarity, while the subjective acoustic analysis utilized the Roughness-Breathiness-Hoarseness scale of roughness-breathiness-hoarseness. Objective acoustic analysis was conducted after recording and analyzing an uninterrupted vocal /a/ of at least three seconds duration, using the "GllotisController" software. RESULTS: The subjective acoustic analysis using the Roughness-Breathiness-Hoarseness scale showed pathological values in 52.9% male and 47% female participants. The average values of the roughness-breathiness-hoarseness for the entire sample were 0.91, 0.38 and 0.50, respectively. Lower roughness was associated with a higher fundamental frequency (f0) and lower jitter and shimmer values (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between breathiness, jitter (p<0.01) and shimmer (p<0.05), and between hoarseness and jitter (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: A statistically significant correlation was found between the two subjective vocal assessments, voice clarity and pitch, and Roughness-Breathiness-Hoarseness scale, and the parameters of the objective acoustic vocal assessment.

Acoustic voice modifications in individuals with Parkinson disease submitted to deep brain stimulation

Introduction: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) improvesmotor function in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The evidence about the effects of STN-DBS on the voice is still inconclusive. Objective: To verify the effect of STN-DBS on the voice of Brazilian individuals with PD. Methods: Sixteen participants were evaluated on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-Part III, and by the measurement of the acoustic modifications in on and off conditions of stimulation. Results: The motor symptoms showed significant improvement with STN-DBS on. Regarding the acoustic measures of the voice, only the maximum fundamental frequency (fhi) showed a statistical difference between on- and off-conditions, with reduction in off-condition. Conclusion: Changes in computerized acoustic measures are more valuable when interpreted in conjunction with changes in other measures. The single finding in fhi suggests that DBS-STN increases vocal instability. The interpretation of this result should be done carefully, since it may not be of great value if other measures that also indicate instability are not significantly different (AU)

Monitoring and assessment of ingestive chewing sounds for prediction of herbage intake rate in grazing cattle.

Accurate measurement of herbage intake rate is critical to advance knowledge of the ecology of grazing ruminants. This experiment tested the integration of behavioral and acoustic measurements of chewing and biting to estimate herbage dry matter intake (DMI) in dairy cows offered micro-swards of contrasting plant structure. Micro-swards constructed with plastic pots were offered to three lactating Holstein cows (608±24.9 kg of BW) in individual grazing sessions (n=48). Treatments were a factorial combination of two forage species (alfalfa and fescue) and two plant heights (tall=25±3.8 cm and short=12±1.9 cm) and were offered on a gradient of increasing herbage mass (10 to 30 pots) and number of bites (~10 to 40 bites). During each grazing session, sounds of biting and chewing were recorded with a wireless microphone placed on the cows' foreheads and a digital video camera to allow synchronized audio and video recordings. Dry matter intake rate was higher in tall alfalfa than in the other three treatments (32±1.6 v. 19±1.2 g/min). A high proportion of jaw movements in every grazing session (23 to 36%) were compound jaw movements (chew-bites) that appeared to be a key component of chewing and biting efficiency and of the ability of cows to regulate intake rate. Dry matter intake was accurately predicted based on easily observable behavioral and acoustic variables. Chewing sound energy measured as energy flux density (EFD) was linearly related to DMI, with 74% of EFD variation explained by DMI. Total chewing EFD, number of chew-bites and plant height (tall v. short) were the most important predictors of DMI. The best model explained 91% of the variation in DMI with a coefficient of variation of 17%. Ingestive sounds integrate valuable information to remotely monitor feeding behavior and predict DMI in grazing cows.

Acurácia das medidas acústicas tradicionais e formânticas na avaliação da qualidade vocal / Accuracy of traditional and formant acoustic measurements in the evaluation of vocal quality

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar a acurácia das medidas acústicas, isoladas e combinadas, na discriminação da intensidade do desvio vocal (GG) e da qualidade vocal predominante (QVP) em pacientes disfônicos. Método Participaram 302 pacientes do gênero feminino, com queixa vocal. A partir da vogal /ɛ/ sustentada, foram extraídas as medidas acústicas de média e desvio padrão (DP) da frequência fundamental (F0), o jitter, o shimmer e o Glottal to noise excitation (GNE) e a média dos três primeiros formantes (F1, F2, F3). A avaliação perceptivo-auditiva do GG e QVP foi realizada por três fonoaudiólogos especialistas em voz. Resultados Isoladamente, apenas o GNE obteve desempenho satisfatório na discriminação do GG e da QVP. Houve uma melhora na classificação do GG e QVP com a combinação das medidas acústicas. A média de F0, F2 e GNE (saudável × desvio leve a moderado), DP de F0, F1 e F3 (leve a moderado × desvio moderado), Jitter e GNE (moderado × desvio intenso) foram as melhores combinações para discriminar o GG. As melhores combinações para discriminação da QVP foram média de F0, Shimmer e GNE (saudável × rugosa), F3 e GNE (saudável × soprosa), média de F0, F3 e GNE (rugosa × tensa), média de F0, F1 e GNE (soprosa × tensa). Conclusão De forma isolada, o GNE mostrou-se o único parâmetro acústico capaz de discriminar o GG e a QVP. Houve um ganho no desempenho da classificação com a combinação das medidas acústicas tradicionais e formânticas, tanto para a discriminação do GG como da QVP.

ABSTRACT Purpose Investigate the accuracy of isolated and combined acoustic measurements in the discrimination of voice deviation intensity (GD) and predominant voice quality (PVQ) in patients with dysphonia. Methods A total of 302 female patients with voice complaints participated in the study. The sustained /ɛ/ vowel was used to extract the following acoustic measures: mean and standard deviation (SD) of fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, glottal to noise excitation (GNE) ratio and the mean of the first three formants (F1, F2, and F3). Auditory-perceptual evaluation of GD and PVQ was conducted by three speech-language pathologists who were voice specialists. Results In isolation, only GNE provided satisfactory performance when discriminating between GD and PVQ. Improvement in the classification of GD and PVQ was observed when the acoustic measures were combined. Mean F0, F2, and GNE (healthy × mild-to-moderate deviation), the SDs of F0, F1, and F3 (mild-to-moderate × moderate deviation), and mean jitter and GNE (moderate × intense deviation) were the best combinations for discriminating GD. The best combinations for discriminating PVQ were mean F0, shimmer, and GNE (healthy × rough), F3 and GNE (healthy × breathy), mean F 0, F3, and GNE (rough × tense), and mean F0 , F1, and GNE (breathy × tense). Conclusion In isolation, GNE proved to be the only acoustic parameter capable of discriminating between GG and PVQ. There was a gain in classification performance for discrimination of both GD and PVQ when traditional and formant acoustic measurements were combined.

Measurements of the Acoustic Speaking Voice After Vocal Warm-up and Cooldown in Choir Singers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acoustic measurements of the vowel /a/ in modal recording before and after a singing voice resistance test and after 30 minutes of absolute rest in female choir singers. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 13 soprano choir singers with experience in choir singing were evaluated through analysis of acoustic voice parameters at three points in time: before continuous use of the voice, after vocal warm-up and a singing test 60 minutes in duration respecting the pauses for breathing, and after vocal cooldown and an absolute voice rest for 30 minutes. RESULTS: The fundamental frequency increased after the voice resistance test (P = 0.012) and remained elevated after the 30 minutes of voice rest (P = 0.01). The jitter decreased after the voice resistance test (P = 0.02) and after the 30 minutes of voice rest. A significant difference was detected for the acoustic voice parameters relative average perturbation (RAP), (P = 0.05), and pitch perturbation quotient (PPQ), (P = 0.04), compared with the initial time point. CONCLUSIONS: The fundamental frequency increased after 60 minutes of singing and remained elevated after vocal cooldown and absolute rest for 30 minutes, proving an efficient parameter for identifying the changes inherent to voice demand during singing.