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Acoustic, perceptual and aerodynamic voice evaluation in an obese population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2013

S Celebi ,
K Yelken ,
O N Develioglu ,
M Topak ,
O Celik ,
H D Ipek  and
M Kulekci
S Celebi*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
K Yelken
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Gaziosmanpaşa University Medicine Faculty, Tokat, Turkey
O N Develioglu
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
M Topak
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
O Celik
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Maltepe University Medicine Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
H D Ipek
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
M Kulekci
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence:Dr Saban Celebi, Department of Otolaryngology, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey Fax: +90 356 213 31 79 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

To investigate perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic voice parameters in obese individuals.

Methods:

Twenty obese and 20 normal-weight volunteers underwent voice evaluation by laryngoscopy, acoustic analysis, aerodynamic measurement and perceptual analysis (using the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain (‘GRBAS') scale and the Voice Handicap Index 10 scale). Data from both subject groups were compared.

Results:

No difference was found in acoustic analysis parameters between the two groups (p > 0.05). Maximum phonation time in the obese group (mean ± standard deviation, 19.6 ± 4.9 seconds) was significantly shorter than in controls (26.4 ± 4.1 seconds) (p < 0.001), although the s/z ratio was very similar between the two groups. In the obese and control groups, the mean ± standard deviation grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scores were 1 ± 1.3 and 0.2 ± 0.6 (p = 0.002) and the mean ± standard deviation Voice Handicap Index 10 scores were 0.5 ± 1.2 and 1.2 ± 1.7 (p = 0.27), respectively.

Conclusion:

Obese individuals had poorer vocal quality as judged by the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scale, and reduced maximum phonation time. However, there was no change in voice quality as assessed by acoustic analysis and Vocal Handicap Index 10 score, compared with controls.

Keywords

VoiceObesityPhysiologyLarynx
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 10 , October 2013 , pp. 987 - 990
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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References

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