Prevalence and Risk Factors of Voice Disorders in French Tour Guides

Massage-Like Sensation and Tissue Mobilization During Phonation With Two Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure Devices

PURPOSE

This study primarily aimed at observing whether high-frequency vibration devices generate tissue mobilization on facial, neck, and chest tissues. An additional objective was to inspect resulting self-perceived sensation of massage-like sensation.

METHOD

Fifty-two participants engaged in a set of three phonatory tasks: (a) phonation with Shaker Medic Plus device, (b) phonation with Acapella Choice device, and (c) sustained vowel [a:] (control task). Self-perceived massage-like sensation was also assessed. All exercises were performed at three loudness levels. Tissue mobilization was captured by four accelerometers placed in four different locations: (a) over the cheek, (b) over the neck, (c) over the thyroid cartilage, and (d) over the suprasternal notch. Frequency, amplitude, and regularity of tissue oscillation were measured.

RESULTS

Analyses of variance showed significant second-order interactions for vibration amplitude and frequency. A two-way interaction (Task × Location) was observed for jitter, and no significant interactions were found for shimmer. Self-perceived massage-like sensation results showed that Acapella and Shaker generate almost identical effects, both being significantly higher to the one delivered by vowel [a:].

CONCLUSION

Both Acapella and Shaker devices are able to mobilize tissues. Tasks, loudness level, and location could produce an effect on tissue oscillation variables. The Acapella device tends to produce a larger amplitude of vibration than the Shaker does. However, self-reported sensation of massage is virtually the same for both devices. Control of dependent variables of tissue oscillation (frequency, amplitude, and regularity) is apparently relevant to obtain the greatest massage-like effect in patients.

Vocal Health and Vocal Health Knowledge Among Occupational Voice Users in the Province of Quebec

Voice disorders are frequent among occupational voice users such as teachers. Although these disorders can have serious personal and professional consequences, they are not often recognized as occupational diseases and little attention is paid to their prevention. This study aimed to provide a portrait of the self-reported vocal health and vocal health knowledge of occupational voice users in Quebec, Canada, and to identify risk factors associated with voice disorder symptoms. We conducted an online survey targeting occupational voice users in the province of Quebec, Canada, with a focus on those involved in teaching or training. The final sample, after excluding incomplete surveys, included 808 respondents (665 women, M = 41.5 ± 10.4 years old). The survey responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that 9.8% of the respondents had a history of a diagnosed voice disorder and 68.8% of the respondents experienced at least one voice symptom on a regular basis. Ordinal logistic regressions revealed that several personal and environmental factors are associated with an increased risk of developing voice disorders symptoms: being a woman, suffering from a breathing disorder, allergies, acid reflux and/or hearing impairment, having less work experience, working with elementary school children and/or with continuous or speech noise in the background. Most of the respondents (94.6%) had never received information regarding voice disorders during their academic training and less than half of them (47.7%) knew which professionals can treat voice disorders. These findings highlight the need for formal vocal health education among both occupational voice users and their employers to improve prevention and treatment for voice disorders in an at-risk population.

Analysis of the clinical efficacy and voice outcomes of CO2 laser resection versus laryngeal microsurgery for vocal cord polyps

OBJECTIVE

To compare CO2 laser resection and laryngeal microsurgery for vocal cord polyps and provide evidence for the optimal surgical method.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study that included 74 patients with vocal cord polyps who underwent either CO2 laser resection or laryngeal microsurgery in our hospital from August 2018 to December 2021. According to their preference, 77 patients were divided into two groups: a CO2 laser resection group (n = 35) and a laryngeal microsurgery group (n = 39). Patients were evaluated two days before surgery, and follow-ups were conducted one, two and four weeks after surgery. The voice handicap index (VHI-10) score, voice acoustic analysis results and electronic laryngoscopy results were collected for each patient, and the differences between the two groups were evaluated.

RESULTS

The basic demographic characteristics of the 74 patients were comparable, and all patients completed postoperative follow-up observations. A total of 30 (85.71%) patients in the CO2 laser resection group and 22 (56.41%) patients in the laryngeal microsurgery group were healed. The total effectiveness rate of the CO2 laser resection group (94.29%) was significantly higher than that of the laryngeal microsurgery group (82.05%), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p = .037). Both surgical methods had a positive effect on reducing VHI-10 scores with the effect of CO2 laser resection being more obvious. The difference between the two groups in this regard was statistically significant (p < .001). The effects of each surgical method on the average fundamental frequency perturbation (jitter), amplitude perturbation (shimmer), maximum phonation time and dysphonia severity index were not statistically significant (p > .05).

CONCLUSION

CO2 laser resection and laryngeal microsurgery have similar effects on voice quality, but CO2 laser resection has higher clinical efficacy.

Lysozyme in the treatment of non-infectious sore throat

Sore throat is a common reason for seeking medical help [1]. It can have infectious and non-infectious aetiology [2]. The term “sore throat” is usually associated with an infectious agent (bacteria, viruses, and less commonly fungi) [1,3,4]. The terms “throat discomfort“,“throat irritation“ or “functional dysphonia due to the occupational diseases“ (which represents voice disorder) are often used in the same sense as a non-infectious sore throat [2,3]. It is identified by the exclusion of infectious aetiology symptoms accompanied by persistent sore throat symptoms (tingling and scratching sensation in the throat, hoarseness or muffled voice, foreign body sensation in the throat, coughing, difficulty in swallowing accompanied by pain) [2,5]. Read the full text [PDF]

Occupational voice is a work in progress: active risk management, habilitation and rehabilitation

The current article reviews recent literature examining occupational voice use and occupational voice disorders (January 2018–July 2019).