Voice Assessment and Disorders

Flashcards about voice disorders and voice assessment based on lecture notes.

According to Van Riper and Irwin (1958), when is speech (voice) considered defective?

Speech is defective if it interferes with communication, draws undue attention to itself, or causes the speaker or listener concern.

What is dysphonia?

Any abnormal vocal quality suggesting an interruption of normal production/vibration at the laryngeal level.

What is aphonia?

Lacking voice, no true vibratory voicing.

What is an aphonic break?

A break or interruption in the vibration or phonation.

What is a pitch break?

An interruption in the frequency of vibration of the vocal folds or a shift in vocal register during singing.

What is a tremor in the context of voice disorders?

Involuntary variations in pitch and loudness when trying to produce a steady, sustained tone, usually of a CNS origin.

What is hoarseness?

Excessive noise in the signal creating an unpleasant, rough vocal quality.

What is breathiness?

An audible escape of air or a weak vocal tone suggestive of glottal insufficiency.

What is harshness?

Irregular vocal fold vibrations creating a raspy or unmusical tone; a combination of hoarseness and breathiness.

What is diplophonia?

The presence of two tones or pitches heard simultaneously during phonation.

What is strained-strangled voice quality?

Perceived strain or pushed vocal quality at the onset of and during phonation.

What is a glottal attack?

Hyperadduction of the vocal folds at the onset of phonation.

What is glottal fry?

Use of the lowest register during phonation, resulting in an increased closed phase of the vibratory cycle.

What is Benign Essential Tremor (BET)?

A disorder that causes shaking of the voice, tremor is not associated with any other disease state.

What does the voice of someone with Benign Essential Tremor (BET) sound like?

A steady shaking or wobbling of the voice, often rhythmic and steady at 5-7 cycles per second.

What is vocal fatigue?

A tired voice or feeling of excessive effort to phonate.

What is voice deterioration?

Reduction of volume or vocal quality with prolonged use.

What is vocal tension?

A tightness of the laryngeal musculature during voicing.

What is hypernasality?

Excessive nasality resulting from increased sound diverted into the nasal airway, suggesting pharyngeal weakness or VPI.

What is hyponasality?

Insufficient nasality resulting from a reduction in nasal resonance, which may suggest enlargement of the tonsils/adenoids or a nasal obstruction.

What is a functional voice disorder?

Using a normal vocal mechanism in a faulty manner (e.g., vocal nodules, muscle tension dysphonia).

What is an organic voice disorder?

Faulty voice is related more to a physical cause than misuse (e.g., vocal nodules, cancer).

What is a neurogenic voice disorder?

Voice disorder is a result of damage to the neurological system (e.g., vocal fold paralysis, Parkinson’s).

What information should be included in a voice case history?

Description of problem, date/type of onset, course of problem, concurrent events, emotional factors, reactions of others, personal reactions, perceived cause, previous dysphonia and treatment, voice use and needs at home/work, and coping strategies.

What are some examples of voice evaluation tools?

CAPE-V, Vocal Handicap Index, GRBAS.

What questions should be asked regarding medical history during a voice assessment?

General health situation, previous vocal-related surgeries, current medications, and allergies.

What should be observed about the client during a voice assessment?

Overall posture, breathing patterns (clavicular, thoracic, diaphragmatic), and tension in the face, neck, shoulders, body/posture.

What are some clinical voice evaluation measures, and what are the normal values for each?

MPT: 6 yrs. 10.5 sec, young adults 28 sec, elderly 13 sec. s/z ratio: 1.0 normal, 1.4 + glottal valving insufficiency Speech rate: C+ 6-8 yr. 119-130wpm. Adults (speaking) 160-170wpm adults (reading) 140 -185 wpm

What is the typical pitch range for non-singers?

Pitch range varies 2-3 octaves for non-singers.

What is the purpose of diagnostic therapy in voice evaluation?

Exploration of techniques which may facilitate improved voicing to gain information about the voice problem and give an early indication of possible effectiveness of voice therapy.

What ENT evaluation is essential for any voice patient?

Endoscopy and stroboscopy to rule out laryngeal pathology.

Why is an audiology assessment recommended for voice patients?

Hearing impairment may contribute to voice problems.