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The voice analyzer (VA) software program we developed for quantitatively analyzing voice quality uses zero-cross-picking to find individual basic pitch periods. Two such periods extracted from a voice waveform were analyzed to calculate the acoustic energy of harmonics separately from that of noise components. The program determines the ratio of harmonics to noise (Ra), F0, jitter, shimmer, APQ, and PPQ. Sustained vowel /a/ from 28 subjects without evident vocal problems such as hoarseness and 49 subjects with hoarseness were examined. Average female and male Ra among the nonhoarse were 31.9 dB and 34.4 dB, jitter 0.254% and 0.246%, and shimmer 0.168% and 0.116%. Among those with hoarseness, all parameter scored worse than in the nonhoarse in proportion to auditory impression.

The incidence of tuberculosis in Japan, including tuberculous otitis media, has increased alarmingly. Predisposing factors remain, however, to be clarified—particularly in view of how clinical features have changed—with the use of effective antitubercular therapy and improved economic and social conditions. Otolaryngologists must thus be aware of tuberculous in chronic otitis media and its varied manifestations. We report the two cases of tuberculous otitis media and its presentation and clinical manifestation. Tuberculous otitis media diagnosis was corroborated by pathohistological, microbiological, and molecular biological tests.