Acoustic-Aerodynamic Voice Outcome Ratios Identify Changes in Vocal Function Following Vocal Fold Medialization for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis.
Latané Bullock, Laura E Toles, Robert E Hillman and 1 others
PMID 37068982WHAT IT FOUND
Vocal fold medialization significantly improved airflow and sound output in 149 patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
The ratio of sound pressure level to airflow detected these changes most effectively and consistently, regardless of how loudly the patient tried to speak.
Key findings
01The ratio of sound pressure level to airflow (SPL/AFLOW) showed the largest improvement after surgery and did not change based on loudness.
02Patients experienced significant reductions in phonatory airflow and increases in sound pressure level and subglottal pressure following medialization.
03Traditional vocal efficiency and SPL/aerodynamic power ratios also improved but were sensitive to the patient's loudness level.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was retrospective, so data collection methods could not be controlled, potentially introducing error. Outliers were removed based on quartiles to meet statistical assumptions, which may have excluded patients with extreme presentations. The study only examined changes before and after surgery, not the effects of post-operative voice therapy. Patients had varying times between their surgical procedure and their pre- and post-treatment assessments.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these acoustic-aerodynamic ratios are validated for tracking changes during voice therapy alone. The study only measured changes following surgical medialization, and the authors note that airflow measures may be too insensitive to capture the subtler changes from therapy.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →