Vocal Impact of a Prolonged Reading Task at Two Intensity Levels: Objective Measurements and Subjective Self-Ratings

Abstract

Summary: Objectives. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impact on voice of both duration and intensity level of 2 hours of continuous oral reading. Voice modifications accompanying changes in intensity level during prolonged reading tasks are analyzed. Methods. Fifty normophonic women undergo two sessions of voice loading in which the required intensity level of voice varied between 60-65 dB(A) for the first session and 70-75 dB(A) for the second session. The effects of loading on objective data (average fundamental frequency [F0], jitter%, shimmer%, noise-to-harmonic ratio, maximum phonation time, lowest frequency [F-Low], highest frequency [F-High], frequency range [Range], lowest intensity [I-Low] level, and highest intensity level) and self-ratings (voice quality, phonation effort, vocal fatigue, and laryngeal discomfort) are assessed every 30 minutes during the loading tasks. Results. Results indicate that average F0, F-Low, I-Low, maximum phonation time, feeling of phonation effort, vocal fatigue, and laryngeal discomfort increase during prolonged reading, whereas shimmer% and self-rating of voice quality decrease. Average F0, F-High, and Range are the only parameters influenced by the required intensity of vocal load; they are significantly higher in the 70-to 75-dB session compared with the 60-to 65-dB session. Concerning the subjective self-ratings, similar results for the four ratings used suggest that only one would suffice in future studies. Conclusions. These results confirm the importance of both duration and intensity level as loading factors, even if intensity level affects fewer variables than duration.

Phonatory function after prolonged voice use in brazilian woman

“…The f0 and Flo values showed a significant increase in the posttest moment, and FHi showed a strong increasing trend, which shows that even the lowest points of the emission deviated to high, which agrees with the data in the literature regarding the elevation of vocal frequency measured after a prolonged use of voice (1,4,6,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)25,26) . Similarly, the pitch of emissions analyzed by judges in the perceptual voice assessment also became higher in the posttest moment.…”

“…Both studies showed changes in some of the disturbance measures after prolonged use, equal to or longer than two continuous hours. Remacle et al (25) reported that jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-noise ratio measures do not change with the vocal intensity. However, they found a decrease in shimmer values as a result of prolonged voice use.…”

Uso do programa MDVP em diferentes contextos: revisão de literatura

“…Concerning amplitude, a study 16 had the purpose of assessing the impact of prolonged reading on voice in two different levels of vocal sound pressure. The sample consisted of collecting sustained vowel [a] in usual tone, performed in three replications, with 50 female individuals and carried out in two sessions.…”

An overview of occupational voice disorders in Poland

“…Recently, several authors have emphasized the importance of thorough studies concerning the effects of vocal loading on the vocal function in the aspects of occupational dysphonia [22][23][24]. Vilkman stressed that load-related physiological changes may play a role in the occupational risk [25].…”

“…Other methods of voice self-assessment include the following: V-RQOL (Voice-Related Quality of Life), VOS (Voice Outcome Survey), and VoiSS (Voice Symptom Scale) [15]. Some authors, however, have also developed questionnaires which evaluate negative sensations related specifically to vocal loading [24]. Laukkanen et al stressed that voice evaluation should accommodate the possible individual susceptibility to vocal fatigue [34].…”