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Purpose: This study was designed to identify which of 3 treatments for aspiration on thin liquids--chin-down posture, nectar-thickened liquids, or honey-thickened liquids--results in the most successful immediate elimination of aspiration [...]

Byline: Donna S. Lundy (***), Roy R. Casiano (***), Howard J. Landy (*), Julio Gallo (***), Bruno Gallo, R. Eugene Ramsey Abstract: Functional electrical stimulation is a developing methodology that shows significant potential in the management of peripheral neuromuscular deficits. Potential applications in the head and neck area, including control of bilateral vocal fold paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia, have recently been explored. Despite promising early results, very little is known about the mechanisms of action or the long-term effects of electrical stimulation on human laryngeal function. Recent development of implantable vagal nerve stimulators as a method to control intractable seizures in individuals who have not responded to medication provides a unique opportunity to study its effect on the normal human larynx. Laryngeal and vocal function testing was studied on five individuals who had undergone vagal nerve stimulator implants for intractable seizures. Consistent abduction/adduction of the left vocal fold was achieved at 20 and 40 Hz, respectively. Higher levels of electrical stimulation produced hemispasm of the larynx. Results were consistent with studies in the literature of recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation in animal and human models. The vagus nerve provides relatively easy access for implantation of electrodes to provide electrical stimulation to the muscles of the larynx. Vagal nerve stimulation may prove efficacious in the treatment of movement disorders of the larynx; further study is needed. Author Affiliation: (***) Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. (*) Neurosurgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. (a ) Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. (a ) Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. Article History: Accepted 5 August 1992 Article Note: (footnote) ** This work was presented at Care of the Professional Voice, June 1992, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Summary: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) adversely affects a speaker's ability to effectively communicate. For many individuals suffering with ADSD, botulinum toxin (Botox) is the chosen treatment to remediate the symptoms. [...]

Summary: Strained, strangled, and tremulous vocal qualities that are typically seen in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), voice tremor (Tremor), and the spastic dysarthria of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may sound [...]

Summary: Medialization thyroplasty (type I) has become the gold standard to improve glottic closure due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis. A newer injection method utilizing homologous collagen from cadaveric human [...]

Abstract 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.

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to compare the prevalence of vocal fold pathologies among first-year singing students from the classical, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music (CCM) genres.Study Design: Prospective cohort study.Methods: Videostroboscopic examinations were rated by blinded expert raters. Vocal pathology was defined as a vocal fold abnormality on the membranous or cartilaginous portions of the vocal folds or hypomobility. Consensus among three of four raters confirmed presence of pathology. Association between genre of singer and presence of pathology, interrater reliability, and intrarater reliability were calculated. Differences in singing voice handicap, and voice use and vocal hygiene were compared.Results: Fifty-seven participants were included. Seventeen percent of CCM, 40% of musical theatre, and 0% of classical singers were found to have vocal fold pathology. Interrater reliability was 0.522 between all four raters, 0.591 between the two laryngologists, and 0.581 between the two speech-language pathologists, showing a moderate agreement (P < .0001). Intrarater reliability was 1.000 (P < .0001) for the two laryngologists and 0.452 (P = .949) and 0.622 (P = .828) for the two speech-language pathologists. Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 data across genre showed differences between CCM and classical singers. No significant differences were found in voice usage or vocal hygiene.Conclusions: No classical students were found to have vocal fold pathology, whereas CCM and musical theatre students had significantly higher prevalence of pathologies. Voice use, vocal hygiene, and physiologic phonatory differences among classical, musical theatre, and CCM genres may be risk factors for development of vocal pathology.Level Of Evidence: 2b Laryngoscope, 130: 1996-2002, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]