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Subjective Perception and Psychoacoustic Aspects of the Laryngectomee Voice: The Impact on Quality of Life

Authors :
Massimo Mesolella
Salvatore Allosso
Roberto D’aniello
Emanuela Pappalardo
Vincenzo Catalano
Giuseppe Quaremba
Gaetano Motta
Grazia Salerno
Mesolella, Massimo
Allosso, Salvatore
D'Aniello, Roberto
Pappalardo, Emanuela
Catalano, Vincenzo
Quaremba, Giuseppe
Motta, Gaetano
Salerno, Grazia
Source :
Journal of Personalized Medicine; Volume 13; Issue 3; Pages: 570
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Purpose: A retrospective study is presented to correlate the inter-judge consistency for the different psycho-perceptual parameters of the recently proposed Impression Noise Fluency Voicing (INFVo) perceptual rating scale for substitution voices, and the vocal function as perceived by the patient. Methods: The scale Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQoL) and the Self Evaluation of Communication Experiences After Laryngectomy scale (SECEL)—a self-evaluation questionnaire of communicative experience after laryngectomy surgery—were administered to 89 total laryngectomees, subdivided in four groups depending on their type of alaryngeal voice (i.e., tracheoesophageal and esophageal speakers, electro larynx users, voiceless patients), in order to evaluate the impact of the impairment of the phonatory function on the quality of life. Results: No significant differences exist among the various groups on their perception of QoL using subjective questionnaires, whereas the INFVo scale has proven to be a useful tool for the description and analysis of the psychoacoustic characteristics of the vocal signal and a reliable instrument to correctly classify the patients. It is also notable that the judgement of the patients on their own voice and those of the referees are highly significant. Conclusion: Although speech rehabilitation for the acquisition of a substitution voice offers a new way of communication for the laryngectomized patients, nonetheless, their QoL is not significantly related to the type of substitution voice. Therefore, improving the patient’s adaptation to the new phonatory condition is mandatory.

Details

ISSN :
20754426
Volume :
13
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....d23eac37cfe86e957914164cc263d8d7