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Deviated nasal septum (DNS) is a common disorder which alters the nasal cavity anatomically and physiologically and results in nasal obstruction for breathing, nasal blockage, allergies, allergic rhinitis, and dryness of throat, thus influencing the person's quality of life. Literature indicates that acoustic and resonatory characteristics of voice are negatively influenced in individuals with DNS due to the compensation by laryngeal system to the blockage in the resonatory chamber. In this context, the present study was aimed to investigate the voice related quality of life in individuals with deviated nasal septum. Forty individuals with severely deviated nasal septum confirmed by an Otorhinolaryngologist through anterior rhinoscopy, computerized tomography and twenty five age and gender matched controls filled the Kannada version of Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI) questionnaire. Results indicated significant impact of deviated nasal septum on voice related quality of life in 55% of the participants with DNS. Results of Mann-Whitney U test indicated significant effect of DNS on VHI scores in individuals with DNS compared to controls (p

Summary Objective Elite professional voice users experience a high vocal load and if voice quality deteriorates, their livelihoods are affected. Our aim was to assess how an elite professional voice user group, musical theater students (n=49), perceive their voices in comparison with medical students (n=43). Study Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Participants completed a confidential questionnaire including demographics and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) in September 2010. Results Response rate was 100% (92/92). The mean age of the medical students was 25 years and of musical theater students was 20 years. The mean overall VHI-10 score was higher in musical theater students compared with that of medical students (mean score, 5.56 and standard deviation [SD], 4.13 vs mean score, 3.79 and SD, 3.02, P =0.02), particularly in three VHI-10 items: voice strain, lack of clarity, and being upset from voice problem (mean score, 0.82 and SD, 0.86 vs mean score, 0.44 and SD, 0.67, P =0.02; mean score, 0.92 and SD, 0.89 vs mean score, 0.53 and SD, 0.70, P =0.02; and mean score, 0.49 and SD, 0.79 vs mean score, 0.07 and SD, 0.26, P =0.001, respectively). Furthermore, musical theater students report higher possible voice problems in the past (6/43 [14%], 21/49 [43%], P =0.002). Conclusions In this small group, musical theater students report more handicap compared with medical students. It is possible that this difference may be because of the musical theater students experiencing greater voice use over time or better recognition of potential voice problems. This may mean that we need to do more to protect student's voices by optimizing vocal care during their training, without neglecting the vocal needs of other students.

Background: A teacher with voice disorders is displaying a form of limitation in the teaching activity. Objectives: To assess the magnitude of voice disorders among teachers and to identify the possible risk factors associated with voice disorders. Materials: A total of 380 teachers were included. The researcher developed a questionnaire for data collection which comprised personal characteristics and symptoms of voice complaints during the last scholastic year. The Voice Handicap Index was used for assessment of voice and its effects on the life of a teacher. Results: Most teachers experienced voice related symptoms during the last year (80.9%). Some had 1-2 symptoms (43.2%) while others had more than two symptoms (37.6%). The most frequent voice-related symptoms were dry throat (42.1%), sore throat (33.5%) and hoarseness of voice (32.9%). More than one third of teachers consulted a physician for their voice-related problems (35%). Moderate to serious severity of voice handicap index were reported by 8.2% of the teachers. There was an increasing prevalence of moderate to severe grade of voice handicap according to age group (p=0.004). Practice of non-healthy habits (e.g., smoking of cigarette, sheesha or moaassal and qat chewing) was associated with significantly higher prevalence of moderate to severe grade of voice handicap (p

Summary Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the connections between voice ergonomic risk factors found in classrooms and voice-related problems in teachers. Methods Voice ergonomic assessment was performed in 39 classrooms in 14 elementary schools by means of a Voice Ergonomic Assessment in Work Environment—Handbook and Checklist. The voice ergonomic risk factors assessed included working culture, noise, indoor air quality, working posture, stress, and access to a sound amplifier. Teachers from the above-mentioned classrooms reported their voice symptoms, respiratory tract diseases, and completed a Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Results The more voice ergonomic risk factors found in the classroom the higher were the teachers' total scores on voice symptoms and VHI. Stress was the factor that correlated most strongly with voice symptoms. Poor indoor air quality increased the occurrence of laryngitis. Conclusions Voice ergonomics were poor in the classrooms studied and voice ergonomic risk factors affected the voice. It is important to convey information on voice ergonomics to education administrators and those responsible for school planning and taking care of school buildings.

Context: While clinical successes and descriptions have been reported in a few texts, no data exist to define the utility of flow phonation to improve voice quality in patients with laryngeal hyperfunction. Aims: To provide pilot data regarding the utility of three exercises (gargling, cup bubble blowing, and stretch-and-flow) to improve phonatory airflow during voicing in patients with laryngeal hyperfunction. Settings and Design: Outpatient Voice and Swallowing Center in a University Medical Center. Materials and Methods: Participants received five treatment sessions and were evaluated prior to treatment and after each session using a Phonatory Aerodynamic System to measure airflow during voicing tasks. Noise-to-harmonic ratio and perceptual voice measures were also obtained, as was self-perception of voice handicap. Statistical Analysis Used: Repeated All increased airflow and decreased laryngeal airway resistance over five sessions. Measures Analysis of Variance. Results: Six participants completed the protocol. All participants decreased self-perception of voice handicap and improved on noise-to-harmonic ratio and perceptual ratings of vocal quality. Conclusions: Data derived on a small sample of patients in an exploratory investigation suggest further research into the use of these three exercises to improve airflow with voicing and improve vocal quality in patients with laryngeal hyperfunction is warranted.

Background and Objectives: The Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is a valid tool for assessing self-perceived voice handicap in children. We developed an Arabic abbreviated version of pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) for future use in Arab pediatric population. Setting and Design: The study was conducted on nondysphonic children at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: The original English pediatric VHI which is composed of 23-items was shortened to 10-items and translated into Arabic by a committee of two Pediatric Otolaryngologists and one Phoniatrician. The translated Arabic version was administered to the parents of 137 children without voice disorders or communication disorders. Results: The subjects of our study had low scores which were comparable with control groups of different worldwide pediatric VHI studies. Also, there was an insignificant effect of gender on VHI subscales (P > 0.025). Obviously, the validity of these results may be limited by the absence of another dysphonic group. However, the preliminary results have encouraged us to report it and when a dysphonic group is available it will be possible to better validate this pVHI in term of performance. Conclusion: Arabic version of the pVHI is a valuable tool for voice specialists dealing with Arabic speaking children. Future testing of our developed Arabic abbreviated pVHI with dysphonic groups to confirm its reliability in differentiating control subjects from dysphonic subjects is recommended.

RESUMO: Objetivo: analisar os dados da autoavaliação vocal de mulheres na menopausa e compará-los aos obtidos por um grupo controle. Métodos: estudo transversal, observacional e analítico no qual participaram 42 mulheres com idades entre 19 e 60 anos, divididas em grupo controle (21 mulheres na menacme) e grupo de estudo (21 mulheres na menopausa). Cada participante respondeu a um questionário elaborado pelas pesquisadoras, que continha dados referentes a: saúde geral, tratamentos realizados, tabagismo, etilismo, utilização profissional da voz e dados ginecológicos, e aos protocolos de autoavaliação vocal Escala de Sintomas Vocais, Índice de Desvantagem Vocal e Qualidade de Vida em Voz. Os dados foram analisados por meio dos testes não-paramétricos Mann-Whitney e Correlação de Pearson, considerando-se o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: o grupo estudo apresentou índices significantemente maiores no domínio funcional do Índice de Desvantagem Vocal e significantemente menores no domínio socioemocional de Qualidade de Vida em Voz. Apesar disso, os escores desses domínios estavam dentro do esperado para vozes saudáveis. Não houve correlação entre os resultados da autoavaliação vocal e o tempo em que as mulheres pararam de menstruar. Conclusão: conclui-se que mulheres na menopausa, apesar de apresentarem diferenças em relação às mulheres na menacme quanto à autoavaliação vocal, apresentam sintomatologia, qualidade de vida em voz e desvantagem vocal compatível com as apresentadas por indivíduos com vozes saudáveis. ABSTRACT: Purpose: to analyze the data of vocal self-assessment of menopausal women and compare them to those obtained by a control group. Methods: cross-sectional, observational and analytical study in which 42 women aged between 19 and 60 years, divided into control group (21 women in reproductive age) and study group (21 women in menopause). Each participant answered a questionnaire developed by the researchers, which contained data on: general health, treatments carried out, smoking, alcohol use, professional use of voice and gynecological data, and vocal self-assessment protocols Voice Symptom Scale, Voice Handicap Index and Voice-Related Quality of Life. Data were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Pearson correlation, considering the significance level of 5%. Results: the study group had significant higher levels in the functional domain of the Voice Handicap Index and significant lower in the social-emotional domain Voice-Related Quality of Life. Nevertheless, the scores of these domains were as expected for healthy voices. There was no correlation between the results of vocal self-assessment and the time when women stopped menstruating. Conclusion: Women in menopause, despite having differences to women in reproductive age as the vocal self-assessment, present symptoms, quality of life in voice and voice handicap compatible with those presented by individuals with healthy voices.

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar e mensurar a autopercepção vocal de pacientes pré e pós-tratamento fonoaudiológico, por meio do protocolo de Índice de Desvantagem Vocal (IDV). Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com utilização do banco de dados de pacientes atendidos em um setor de Fonoaudiologia. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 23 pacientes, sendo 16 (69,6%) do gênero feminino e sete (30,4%) do gênero masculino. A média de idade foi de 58 anos, a média do tempo de terapia foi de três meses e o número de sessões foi de 11 atendimentos. Dentre os tipos de disfonia encontrados, a orgânica foi a mais frequente (47,8%), seguida da funcional (30,7%) e da organofuncional (21,7%). A mediana do escore total do protocolo apresentou diminuição no período pré-intervenção, em relação ao período pós-intervenção, significando menor desvantagem vocal. Além disso, 80% das questões do protocolo apresentaram diferença significativa, quando comparadas pré e pós-fonoterapia da voz. Conclusão: Houve diferença na percepção da voz após a intervenção fonoaudiológica, indicada por meio da redução dos escores nos itens do IDV. Os achados demonstraram a importância do uso do protocolo IDV na prática clínica, auxiliando o profissional fonoaudiólogo no direcionamento do tratamento e no entendimento do comportamento vocal de pacientes disfônicos. Sugere-se futuras pesquisas, tendo em vista a eficácia do instrumento.

Background Little has been reported about the impact of tracheoesophageal (TE) speech on individuals in the Middle East where the procedure has been gaining in popularity. After total laryngectomy, individuals in Europe and North America have rated their quality of life as being lower than non-laryngectomized individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in quality of life and degree of voice handicap reported by laryngectomized speakers from Jordan before and after establishment of TE speech. Methods Twelve male Jordanian laryngectomees completed the University of Michigan Head & Neck Quality of Life instrument and the Voice Handicap Index pre- and post-TE puncture. Results All subjects showed significant improvements in their quality of life following successful prosthetic voice restoration. In addition, voice handicap scores were significantly reduced from pre- to post-TE puncture. Conclusion Tracheoesophageal speech significantly improved the quality of life and limited the voice handicap imposed by total laryngectomy. This method of voice restoration has been used for a number of years in other countries and now appears to be a viable alternative within Jordan.