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Hermann LA, Tur B, Köberlein MC, Gantner S, Westphalen C, Benthaus T, Döllinger M, Kniesburges S, Echternach M. Aerosol Dispersion During Different Phonatory Tasks in Amateur Singers. J Voice 2024; 38:731-740. [PMID: 34963518 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Due to increased aerosol generation during singing, choir rehearsals were widely prohibited in the course of the CoVID-19 pandemic. Most studies on aerosol generation and dispersion focus on professional singers. However, it has not been clarified if these data are also representative for amateur singers. METHODS Nine non-professional singers (four male, five female) were asked to perform five tasks; speaking (T+), singing a text softly (MT-) and loudly (MT+), singing on the vowel [ə] (M+) and singing with a N95 mask (MT+N95). Before performing the tasks, the singers were asked to inhale 0.5 L vapor produced by an e-cigarette consisting of the basic liquid. The spread of the exhaled vapor was recorded in all three dimensions by high-definition cameras and the impulse dispersion was detected as a function of time. RESULTS Regarding the median dispersion to the front, all tasks showed comparable distances from 0.69 m to 0.82 m at the end of the tasks. However, the maximum aerosol dispersion showed a larger variety among different subjects or tasks, respectively. Especially in the M+ task a maximum distance of 1.96 m to the front was reached by a single subject. Although singing with a N95 mask resulted in a slightly increased median dispersion to the front, the maximum dispersion was decreased from 1.47 m (MT+) to 1.04 m (MT+N95). CONCLUSION The maximum dispersion distance to the front of 1.96 m at the end of the M+ task and 1.47 m at the end of the MT+ task showed higher values in comparison to professional singers. Differences in phonation, articulation and mouth opening could lead to greater impulse dispersion. Singing in loud phonation with a N95 mask reduced the maximum impulse dispersion to the front to 1.04 m. Taking all results into consideration, a slightly larger safety distance should be necessary for non-professional singers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Ava Hermann
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Munich University Hospital (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Bogac Tur
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marie Christine Köberlein
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Munich University Hospital (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Gantner
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Munich University Hospital (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Westphalen
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Munich University Hospital (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Benthaus
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Munich University Hospital (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Döllinger
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Kniesburges
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Echternach
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Munich University Hospital (LMU), Munich, Germany.
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Kirsch J, Köberlein M, Tur B, Hermann LA, Kniesburges S, Echternach M. Boys Choirs in the Pandemic: Effects of Distance and Other Factors on Spectral and Temporal Accuracy. J Voice 2023:S0892-1997(23)00292-8. [PMID: 37914657 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
During the Covid-19 pandemic, choral singing has been either completely prohibited or regulated with safety measures due to increased transmission risks. However, the impact of larger inter-singer spacings on the performance and educational process in boys' choirs is unclear. This study analyzed recordings of six groups of five singers each from two boys' choirs aged 7-16 who sang Beethoven's Ode to Joy while standing on an arc with a 4 m radius and an inter-subject spacing of 0.5-3 m. The effects of singers' masks, distance, group age, and relative position on the timing of articulation and fundamental frequency were investigated, along with the amount, rate, and sign of pitch drift and loudness. The ANOCOVA results showed that onsets were robust to the tested factors, while errors in fundamental frequency tended to decrease with increasing age/experience. Loudness was affected by distance, mask, and relative position, with increasing loudness as spacing decreased. Understanding influencing factors can inform recommendations for choral singing and education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Kirsch
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich 80333, Bavaria, Germany.
| | - Marie Köberlein
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich 80333, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Bogac Tur
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 1, Erlangen 91054, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Laila Ava Hermann
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich 80333, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Stefan Kniesburges
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 1, Erlangen 91054, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Matthias Echternach
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich 80333, Bavaria, Germany
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Köberlein M, Kirsch J, Tur B, Hermann LA, Kniesburges S, Echternach M. Boys Choirs in the Pandemic: Exploring Qualitative Aspects of Safety Measures. J Voice 2023:S0892-1997(23)00232-1. [PMID: 37620176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During the Covid-19 pandemic, choirs had to apply safety measures such as distances and wearing masks. For children's choirs, there is no knowledge of their reaction to these measures, regarding their age and experience. This study aimed to investigate boys choir singers' perceptions of the measures, regarding wellbeing and feasibility, as well as the quality of the performance outcomes. METHODS Six groups were put together, assembling five singers of the same age (7-16 years, before voice change) and experience level. The boys sang one verse of the same song at inter-subject distances of 3, 1.5, 0.5, 0.5 m plus wearing a mask and again 3 m. Afterward they filled out questionnaires concerning difficulty, irritation, hearing themselves and their neighbors, and if they could imagine singing regularly in the respective setting. Fifteen parents were asked to fill out questionnaires about their opinions about choir safety measures during the pandemic. Six anonymous boys choir experts rated the randomized recordings of all tasks regarding homogenous sound quality, rhythmical precision, and uniform intonation. RESULTS Even though most of the children preferred smaller distances, they were open to all kinds of settings. The answers given were very specific to the individuals. Masks were voted out by a majority of the subjects. Parents found choir singing very important for their children and did in majority neither fear infection of their children, nor mind precautions. The experts rated the performance outcomes of the largest distance (3 m) as best in most of the cases. CONCLUSION Different interspatial settings do not harm the children and adolescents and could be introduced as a beneficial approach to give them a broader listening experience and to make them flexible, alert, adaptable, and resilient singers. Singers' masks are only recommended for compelling circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Köberlein
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich, 80336 Bavaria, Germany.
| | - Jonas Kirsch
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich, 80336 Bavaria, Germany
| | - Bogac Tur
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 1, Erlangen, 91054 Bavaria, Germany
| | - Laila Ava Hermann
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich, 80336 Bavaria, Germany
| | - Stefan Kniesburges
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 1, Erlangen, 91054 Bavaria, Germany
| | - Matthias Echternach
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 4a, Munich, 80336 Bavaria, Germany
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Köberlein MC, Hermann L, Gantner S, Tur B, Westphalen C, Kuranova L, Döllinger M, Kniesburges S, Kruse SA, Echternach M. The Effect of Water Resistance Therapy on the Impulse Dispersion of Aerosols During Sustained Phonation. J Voice 2022:S0892-1997(22)00153-9. [PMID: 35803772 PMCID: PMC9256517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Group singing has been associated with higher transmission risks via exhaled and spread aerosols in the CoVID19 pandemic. For this reason, many musical activities, such as rehearsals and lessons, but also voice therapy sessions, have been restricted in many countries. Consequently, transmission risks and pathways have been studied, such as aerosol amounts generated by exhalation tasks, convectional flows in rooms, or the impulse dispersion of different kinds of phonation. The use of water resistance exercises such as those utilizing LAX VOX®, are common in voice lessons and as vocal warm-ups. With this context, this study investigates the impulse dispersion characteristics of aerosols during a voiced water resistance exercise in comparison to normal singing. METHODS Twelve professional singers (six male, six female) were asked to phonate a stable pitch through a silicone tube into a bottle filled with water, holding the end of the tube 5 cm below the surface. Before performing the tasks, the singers inhaled the vapor consisting of 0.5 L base liquid from an e-cigarette. The exhaled gas cloud coming out of the bottle was recorded in all three spatial directions and the dispersion was measured as a function of time. RESULTS At the end of the phonation task, the median distance to the front was 0.55 m and the median of the lateral expansion of the cloud was 0.89 m, the maximum to the front reached 0.88 m, and the maximum of lateral expansion 1.05 m. For the upwards direction of the clouds a median of 1.00 m and a maximum of 1.34 m from the mouth were measured. Three seconds after the end of the task, the medians were declining. CONCLUSION The exhaled aerosol cloud can expand despite the obstacle of the water when using LAX VOX® during phonation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Christine Köberlein
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Laila Hermann
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Gantner
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bogac Tur
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Caroline Westphalen
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Liudmila Kuranova
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Döllinger
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Kniesburges
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Echternach
- Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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