Purposes: to verify the existing relationship between the slow vital capacity and maximum phonation time in the elderly. Methods: the study was analytical and observational, cross-sectional, conducted at the Open University Senior Citizens at the origin institution, in the period from June to October 2014, with 61 elderly female, nonsmokers. We excluded patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and / or respiratory diseases, individuals with neurological or hearing problems and voice professionals. All participants were assessed for slow vital capacity and maximum phonation time. The following data were also collected: gender, weight, height, age and body mass index. Results: the results showed that the values of slow vital capacity and maximum phonation time are reduced in the elderly. In addition, there is a positive correlation between the slow vital capacity and maximum phonation time of / s / and / z /. Conclusion: with aging, breathing and voice measures may be reduced. In addition, there is an association between the slow vital capacity and maximum phonation time in older women, suggesting the influence that breathing exercises over phonation in this specific population.

Introduction Sulcus vocalis is defined as a longitudinal depression on the vocal cord, parallel to its free border. Its most marked characteristic is breathlessness, caused by incomplete glottal closure, in addition to roughness, due to the decrease in mucosal wave amplitude of the vocal cords. Vocal acoustic aspects, such as fundamental voice frequency, jitter, and shimmer, may also be altered in individuals with this type of laryngeal disorder. To assess the voice of individuals with sulcus vocalis, studies generally include a sample of subjects with vocal symptoms, excluding asymptomatic persons. To better characterize the vocal characteristics of individuals with sulcus vocalis, their asymptomatic counterparts must also be included. Objective Characterize the larynx and voice of asymptomatic adults with sulcus vocalis. Method A total of 26 adults, 13 with sulcus vocalis (experimental group) and 13 without (control group) were assessed. All the participants were submitted to suspension microlaryngoscopy, voice self-assessment, auditory perception and acoustic evaluation of the voice. Results Among the individuals with sulcus vocalis, 78% of the sulci were type I and 22% type II. Auditory perception assessment obtained statistically significant lower scores in individuals with sulcus vocalis compared with the control group, and a slight difference in the overall degree of hoarseness and roughness. No statistically significant intergroup diferences were found in self-reported voice or acoustic assessment. Conclusion Type I was the predominant sulcus vocalis observed in individuals without voice complaints, who may also exhibit slight changes in vocal quality and roughness.

Purpose: to identify the immediate effect of the sonorous tongue-trill technique associated with tonal variation on the vocal range profile of chorists, analyzing time spent on choral singing, voice types and exercises. Methods: quantitative cross-sectional study, with 13 singers, eight women and five men, mean age of 39± 20.11 years, with different voice types. The vocal range profile was obtained using Vocalgrama software (CTS Informática). Samples were collected at three different times: before, after one minute and after two minutes of applying the sonorous tongue-trill technique associated with tonal variation. Results: six chorists (46.2%) showed an increase in vocal range profile after two minutes of the technique. Sopranos and tenors obtained higher mean vocal range profile at any of the three times considered. Conclusion: the sonorous tongue-trill technique associated with tonal variation had no effect on the vocal range profile of the chorists under study.

Purpose: to describe the transgender people’s self-perception of voice. Methods: a total of 60 people participated in this cross-sectional study. They attended a reference outpatient center for the health of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people. The data collection consisted of self-administered questionnaires, a participant’s profile questionnaire, and a voice self-assessment questionnaire. Results: most of the interviewees were young people who had never visited a speech-language-hearing therapist with the Public Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde); in general, they expressed interest in having such attention. The answers revealed an impact in the axes assessed, namely: “use of the voice in social life”, “mischaracterization of gender, due to the voice”, and “indication of dysphonia". Voice symptom characteristic of dysphonia was also identified in some people. Conclusion: transgender people are unsatisfied with their voices, which is an element that hinders the perception of the identified gender. It also has repercussions in their social, emotional, labor, and interpersonal lives. Hence, it is important to include speech-language-hearing therapy in the transgendering process, which is desired by most of the transgender people.

Objective: to characterize the care provided at a Speech Therapy School Clinic affiliated with the Brazilian public healthcare system, in 2016. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with data from screening, discharge, discontinuation and medical records. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed, by measuring waiting time and specialty. The reasons for treatment discontinuation were also investigated. The data were presented in tables and expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Results: one hundred-seven individuals were screened, among whom 53.3% were children, 58.9% were males, 41.1% had language complaints and 35.5% had complaints regarding orofacial motor function. The mean waiting time to begin treatment was 6.6 months. Among all individuals screened, 80.3% began treatment. The treatment, more frequently, addressed orofacial motor function (39.1%) and language (37.9%). Discharge from treatment occurred in 28.6% of cases. Among the 37 individuals whose treatment was discontinued prior to completion, the main reason was abandonment/absences on the part of the patient (71.4%). Conclusion: the speech therapy care profile revealed a greater frequency of children, males and needs regarding language and orofacial motor function. The mean waiting time was 6.6 months and 20% of the individuals screened did not initiate treatment. A high frequency of discontinuation prior to completing treatment was found, due, mainly, to failure on the part of the patients to attend the sessions.