TOPIC

Voice research

Everything we have read on voice. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

839 PAPERS · PAGE 7 OF 17 · NEWEST FIRST

• SLPOther2022Parameter-Specific Morphing Reveals Contributions of Timbre to the Perception of Vocal Emotions in Cochlear Implant Users.Ear and hearingCochlear implant users rely more on timbre than pitch to recognize emotions, unlike normal-hearing listeners. High-performing implant users use timbre as well as normal-hearing people do. Better emotion recognition correlates with higher quality of life.
• SLPOther2022Chaos Behavior Analysis of Alaryngeal Voices Including Esophageal and Tracheoesophageal Voices.Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)A new acoustic method reliably distinguishes esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech from normal voice and from each other. Esophageal voices showed higher chaos scores than tracheoesophageal voices. This offers a potential objective measure for voice quality where traditional tests fail.
• SLPPilot2022Repetition of anchor stimuli and nature of vocal samples in the perceptual auditory judgment performed by speech-language pathology students.CoDASRepeating voice anchors did not improve students' accuracy in identifying vocal deviations. It did increase reliability, though values remained low. Accuracy dropped significantly when voices had multiple deviations, with strain being the hardest to judge.
• SLPOther2022Swallowing assessment in patients with dysphagia: Validity and reliability of a pocket-sized ultrasound system.International journal of language & communication disordersPocket-sized ultrasound did not agree well with videofluoroscopy for hyoid movement and thyrohyoid approximation in dysphagia patients. Bedside iPad scanning was inconsistent between clinicians, and offline measurement from saved images was good except tongue thickness, so it should not yet guide bedside decisions.
• SLPCohort2022Voice-related quality of life and emotional symptoms before and after thyroidectomy.CoDASVoice-related quality of life did not change significantly after thyroidectomy, but anxiety dropped sharply one week post-surgery before rising again at three months. Lower anxiety correlated with better voice self-perception. These findings suggest monitoring emotional symptoms alongside voice outcomes in this small cohort.
• SLPOther2022Acoustic characteristics of fricatives, amplitude of formants and clarity of speech produced without and with a medical mask.International journal of language & communication disordersSpeech produced with surgical or KN95 masks had significantly lower amplitude for fricatives like /s/ and /ʃ/ and was rated as less clear by experts. Vowel formant amplitudes did not change. Clinicians should expect reduced fricative energy when wearing masks.
• SLPCohort2022Vocal deviation in individuals with suggestive signs and symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux.CoDASPeople with signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux mostly had deviated voices, especially rough quality. Those with deviated voices reported significantly higher scores on voice and reflux symptom scales, particularly for throat clearing and mucus. This links visible laryngeal signs to subjective vocal complaints.
• SLPOther2022Professional coaching versus vocal coaching: similarities and differences.CoDASVocal coaching differs from professional coaching by requiring specific voice expertise and focusing on performance rather than general life goals. Unlike professional coaches, vocal coaches often hold dual roles as speech therapists or teachers, blending clinical skills with artistic guidance.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Managing communication changes in persons with multiple sclerosis: Findings from qualitative focus groups.International journal of language & communication disordersPeople with MS wanted routine communication assessment, practical information, affordable services, support groups, and clinicians who ask about communication and refer to speech pathology, psychology, OT and neuropsychology.
• SLPQualitative2022Patient experience of the acute post-surgical period following total laryngectomy during the COVID-19 era.International journal of language & communication disordersTen people after total laryngectomy reported little difference between surgery before and during COVID-19. They said preoperative talk focused on surgery, not life after discharge, and valued staff who treated them as people while learning to speak and care for a stoma.
• SLPNarrative Review2022What Can Altered Auditory Feedback Paradigms Tell Us About Vocal Motor Control in Individuals With Voice Disorders?Perspectives of the ASHA special interest groupsReviewing lab studies that shift pitch during speech, researchers found voice disorders often involve an over-reliance on auditory feedback. However, results were inconsistent across studies and methods, meaning this technique is not yet ready to diagnose patients or guide therapy.
• SLPOther2022Effect of Language on Voice Quality: An Acoustic Study of Bilingual Speakers of Mandarin Chinese and English.Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)Acoustic differences between Mandarin and English depend on the speaker's native language. Native Mandarin speakers showed higher jitter and shimmer in Mandarin, while native English speakers showed higher shimmer in English. Pitch varied by language only for English speakers.
• SLPNarrative Review2020Community-Based Participatory Research and Human-Centered Design Principles to Advance Hearing Health Equity.Ear and hearingThis article introduces research methods for building equitable community partnerships in hearing science. It describes frameworks for how researchers should design studies with communities rather than just testing treatments on them. It reports no patient outcomes and offers no evidence on clinical interventions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022The Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale: an analysis of singers with dysphonia and without vocal complaints.CoDASSingers with voice disorders reported significantly more neck pain and daily functional limitations than singers without voice complaints. On a 30-point neck disability scale, the voice-disordered group averaged 7.4 points compared to 2.7 points in the control group.
• SLPNarrative Review2022Triage and dysphagia: Are hospitals in the South African public health sector ready?The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsThis paper argues that triaging for swallowing difficulties in emergency departments could help identify at-risk patients early. However, it concludes that South African public hospitals currently lack the staff, resources, and standardized protocols to implement this effectively.
• SLPOther2022Immediate effect of different exercises in the vocal space of women with and without vocal nodules.CoDASFive minutes of tongue vibration or straw phonation immediately reduced vowel space in women with nodules or healthy controls. Overarticulation had no effect. These exercises may alter articulator positioning but do not prove improved communication.
• SLPNarrative Review2022Reducing the GAP between science and clinic: lessons from academia and professional practice - part A: perceptual-auditory judgment of vocal quality, acoustic vocal signal analysis and voice self-assessment.CoDAS
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022Reducing the gap between science and clinic: lessons from academia and professional practice - part B: traditional vocal therapy techniques and modern electrostimulation and photobiomodulation techniques applied to vocal rehabilitation.CoDASTraditional voice therapies like LSVT and Vocal Function Exercises have strong evidence for improving function. Electrostimulation and photobiomodulation are promising adjuncts but lack sufficient proof to stand alone. Clinicians should prioritize traditional methods and use modern technologies cautiously as add-ons.
• SLPOther2022Combining voice and language features improves automated autism detection.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCombining automated voice and language features from recorded conversations classified children already diagnosed with autism more accurately than either set alone. The study was not intended for diagnosis or screening.
• SLPSurvey2022Participants' perspective on a COVID-19 online vocal group stimulation for people with Parkinson's disease.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with Parkinson's disease who joined an online daily voice group reported feeling less isolated and more confident in their communication. Most had never received speech therapy before. Participants valued the social connection and perceived benefits to their voice and swallowing.
• SLPOther2022Strength of Attentional Modulation on Cortical Auditory Evoked Responses Correlates with Speech-in-Noise Performance in Bimodal Cochlear Implant Users.Trends in hearingBimodal cochlear implant users with stronger attentional modulation of auditory evoked responses performed better on speech-in-noise tests. The neural measure correlated with behavioral scores, suggesting attentional filtering capacity may explain variability in listening outcomes.
• OTSLPRCT2022The "Mirror Effect Plus Protocol" for acute Bell's palsy: A randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.Clinical rehabilitationIn acute Bell's palsy, MEPP added to medication and counselling (mirror feedback, motor imagery, soft-tissue manipulation, mime therapy, neuromuscular retraining, motor learning principles) showed mixed facial symmetry results: House-Brackmann scores favoured it, but Sunnybrook scores did not differ.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Dysphagia, dysphonia and olfactory disease: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineNo Cochrane reviews exist for treating voice or smell loss in post-COVID. For swallowing, one review of stroke patients suggests behavioral strategies and TMS may help, but evidence quality is low and does not directly prove these treatments work for post-COVID patients.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Utilising Interview Methodology to Inform the Development of New Clinical Assessment Tools for Anxiety in Autistic Individuals Who Speak Few or no Words.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents and clinicians described anxiety in non-speaking autistic people as increased vocalisation, challenging behaviour and avoidance. Key triggers were unpredictability and routine changes. They stressed assessing baseline behaviour and ruling out pain before diagnosing anxiety.
• SLPOther2023Evaluating the Quality of Rigid Optic Videolaryngoscopy Image Taken Through Dental Protection Cap and Its Feasibility as Additional Barrier Method Against COVID-19.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationUsing a disposable dental cap on a rigid laryngoscope did not lower image quality or diagnostic confidence in healthy volunteers. The cap offers a feasible barrier method without compromising the visual assessment of the larynx.
• SLPCase-Control2022Resting Respiratory Resistance in Female Teenage Athletes With and Without Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationResting respiratory resistance was lower in teenage female athletes with exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction, but only after removing one outlier. The main analysis showed no significant difference, so this finding is not yet reliable.
• SLPSurvey2022Focus of Attention in Voice Training.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationSingers reported that voice teachers give slightly more instructions focused on the sound or image (50.83%) than on body movements (39.42%). Teachers use more body-focused cues for posture and tension, but more sound-focused cues for tone and articulation.
• SLPOther2022Non-Linear Image Distortions in Flexible Fiberoptic Endoscopes and their Effects on Calibrated Horizontal Measurements Using High-Speed Videoendoscopy.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationFlexible endoscopes distort images, making pixel size vary across the screen. Measurements taken from the edges are less accurate than the center. Tilting the scope worsens this error, so keeping the target in the center and perpendicular is essential for reliable size estimates.
• PTSLPCase-Control2022Voice Quality Evaluation in Patients With COVID-19: An Acoustic Analysis.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationHospitalized COVID-19 patients showed measurable voice changes compared to healthy controls. Their voices had lower maximum phonation time, lower harmonics-to-noise ratio, and higher jitter, shimmer, and voice breaks. These acoustic differences suggest respiratory and laryngeal involvement.
• SLPCohort2022Effect of Wearing a Face Mask on Vocal Self-Perception during a Pandemic.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationPeople who wore masks for work reported more vocal fatigue, throat discomfort, and difficulty coordinating speech and breathing than those who wore them only for essential errands. Both groups felt masks made speaking harder and reduced their ability to hear themselves clearly.
• SLPCohort2022Dysphonia and Vocal Tract Discomfort While Working From Home During COVID-19.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationAmong 1,575 Irish adults working from home, 33% reported voice problems and 68% reported throat discomfort. Raising or straining the voice during calls, poor air quality, and stress were linked to these issues. Most voice problems were mild, but they impacted daily communication.
• SLPOther2023Spatial Segmentation for Laryngeal High-Speed Videoendoscopy in Connected Speech.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationAn automated method tracked vocal fold edges in one healthy speaker reading aloud. It worked for 67 of 76 vocalizations, failing only when lighting was poor. This shows the algorithm is feasible but not yet proven for patients with voice disorders.
• SLPCohort2023Progressive Decline in Voice and Voice-Related Quality of Life in X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationVoice-related quality of life declined significantly over two years in men with X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism, while swallowing measures did not reach statistical significance. Vocal strain worsened markedly. This suggests voice changes may signal disease progression earlier than swallowing dysfunction in this population.
• SLPCohort2023Vocal Self-Perception of Home Office Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationDuring the pandemic, workers who moved to home offices reported more vocal fatigue and neck, shoulder, and back pain than workers at usual workplaces. Their symptoms also rose after switching home. Workers kept in person reported more laryngeal pain.
• SLPOther2022Respiratory Particle Emission During Voice Assessment and Therapy Tasks in a Single Subject.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationIn one voice-specialized clinician, voice assessment and therapy tasks emitted more particles at 15 cm than speaking or baseline. Moving to 1 m lowered counts. A surgical mask added no further reduction for measured particles. Counts did not accumulate.
• SLPSurvey2022In-Person or Virtual? - Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on the Teaching Habits of Voice Pedagogues.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationVoice teachers found virtual lessons acceptable for rhythm and diction but struggled to assess tone, resonance, and dynamics. Most were only moderately satisfied and agreed virtual tools cannot replace in-person teaching, with significant variation in how well specific platforms handled acoustic quality.
• SLPNarrative Review2023Examining the Influence of Chemosensation on Laryngeal Health and Disorders.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationAirborne chemical triggers like disinfectants and dust cause laryngeal breathing issues, but clinical testing lacks standardization. Using established chemosensory tools can improve patient education and provocation testing reliability, though these methods are theoretical and not yet validated for treatment efficacy.
• SLPCohort2023Severe secretion retention: a predictor of decannulation outcome in severe brain injury patients with tracheostomy.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineSevere secretion retention (MSS level 3) predicted prolonged tracheostomy in 121 patients with severe acquired brain injury. It had high diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.894) and specificity (96.4%), suggesting FEES screening for secretion levels could help identify decannulation readiness.
• SLPCohort2023Acoustic Measures of Voice and Physiologic Measures of Autonomic Arousal During Speech as a Function of Cognitive Load in Older Adults.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationHealthy older adults showed more autonomic arousal while speaking under higher cognitive load, but their voice acoustic measures did not clearly change. Do not assume cognitive strain is audible in older voices from this small study.
• SLPOther2023An Assessment of Different Praat Versions for Acoustic Measures Analyzed Automatically by VoiceEvalU8 and Manually by Two Raters.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationFor sustained /a/, acoustic measures matched across different Praat versions and manual vs automatic analysis. For connected speech and phrases, mean values often differed, especially for CPPS and pitch variability. Use the same Praat version and settings for a patient’s pre and post treatment comparisons.
• SLPOther2023Auditory-Motor Control of Fundamental Frequency in Vocal Vibrato.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationTen classically-trained singers lowered their sung pitch when they heard their feedback shifted upward during vibrato. This happened for gradual and sudden upward shifts. It suggests singers monitor average pitch even while vibrato modulates it.
• SLPSurvey2023Effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on Voice Handicap Index in Female Classical Singers.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationExperienced classical singers reported the quarantine hurt their work far more than their voice. The handicap score was 47.7 of 120. Rehearsing more hours a week was linked to feeling less vocal impairment. This describes what singers said, not how their voices measured.
• SLPNarrative Review2023COVID-19: Impact on the Musician and Returning to Singing; A Literature Review.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationSinging and playing wind instruments generate far more aerosols than normal speech, especially at loud volumes. Voice therapy exercises like straw phonation also spread droplets easily. Telemedicine is a viable alternative for many patients, though it limits laryngeal examination.
• SLPOther2023Hydration State and Hyaluronidase Treatment Significantly Affect Porcine Vocal Fold Biomechanics.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationDehydration and removal of hyaluronic acid both significantly increased the stiffness of excised pig vocal folds in this lab study. These findings support the theory that hydration maintains vocal fold mechanics, but do not prove that drinking water or hyaluronic acid injections improve voice in humans.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2023Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as an Unexpected Mimic of Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction: The Case for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Otolaryngology.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationA competitive runner with diagnosed vocal fold obstruction and exercise-induced asthma was found to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and atrial flutter via cardiopulmonary exercise testing. His exertional dyspnea did not improve with asthma or reflux medication, highlighting the need to screen for cardiac mimics.
• SLPSurvey2023Vocal Fatigue Index in Teachers Using Mokken Analysis.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationTeachers with vocal fatigue report physical discomfort first, then need rest. Those without fatigue do not show these patterns. The standard Vocal Fatigue Index may miss mild symptoms in teachers because it was designed for patients with voice disorders, not healthy voice users.
• SLPSurvey2023Role of Famotidine and Other Acid Reflux Medications for SARS-CoV-2: A Pilot Study.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationPatients taking famotidine or proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux were no less likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 than those who did not. The medications offered no protection against infection, and did not increase the risk of catching it either.
• SLPOther2023Are Acoustic Markers of Voice and Speech Signals Affected by Nose-and-Mouth-Covering Respiratory Protective Masks?Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationMasks change voice measurements, but not all equally. A surgical mask barely affects pitch, loudness, or jitter, though it still skews quality scores. A transparent mask alters nearly every acoustic marker, including formants and high-frequency energy. Match mask types across pre- and post-treatment recordings.
• SLPCohort2023Hemodynamic Changes Associated With Transcervical Laryngeal Injection of Botulinum Toxin.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationHeart rate and blood pressure rise significantly during office-based botulinum toxin injections for spasmodic dysphonia. Oxygen levels remain stable and no major cardiovascular events occurred. Monitor vitals, especially in patients with baseline hypertension.
• SLPOther2023Effects of Sidetone Amplification on Vocal Function During Telecommunication.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationHearing their own voice amplified during video calls made speakers use less volume and a less pressed vocal quality. While they did not report feeling less effort on a scale, they ranked the amplified condition as the easiest way to talk.