• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2009

Vocal polyps are benign phonotraumatic lesions which are traditionally treated using phonomicrosurgical techniques. In the case of hyperfunctional voice use, voice therapy is effective and results in voice improvement. However, the utility of voice therapy about vocal polyp is in great demand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of voice therapy in patients with vocal polyps. The authors reviewed the medical records of 193 patients with vocal nodules or vocal polyps, and 64 patients (31 nodules and 33 polyps) were enrolled. All of the subjects had received explanation of problems, vocal hygiene education, and been treated by the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ (Seong-Tae Kim's multiple voice therapy technique) ranging from 4 to 16 sessions (mean: 8.6 sessions). All subjects were examined by perceptual assessment, acoustic and aerodynamic measures, and VRP (voice range profile). In perceptual assessment, patients with vocal nodules had more breathy and strained voices than the vocal polyp group. Both groups significantly reduced rough, breathy voice after voice therapy. Patients with vocal polyps had worse voice quality than patients with nodules in acoustic measures. Both groups showed reduced jitter and shimmer after voice therapy. In aerodynamic measures, MPT and Psub were increased, and MFR was reduced (p<.05). Participants' frequency range and intensity range were increased after voice therapy, but only frequency range resulted in a significant difference (p<.05). In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of voice therapy in patients with vocal nodules and polyps was demonstrated perceptually and acoustically. We can suggest that voice therapy, including advice, vocal hygiene, and $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ is a useful as an initial choice of treatment for patients with vocal polyps before considering a surgical approach.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1995

Bowing of the vocal cords may be due to aging. atrophy. bilateral superior laryngeal nerve paralysis. injudicious vocal cord surgery, of an idiopathic cause. The bowing usually produces a dysphonia characterized by breathiness due to air escape : however, it can produce aphonia. This report reviews vocal function after surgical correction of bowing of the vocal cords for diagnosis and management. The vocal function of 13 patients with sulcus vocalis and 12 patients with vocal cord atrophy was evaluated with the use of a test battery of multidimensional evaluation items. The voice was improved postoperatively in most patients. The voice improvement was reflected objectively in maximum phonation time, mean air flow rate during phonation, stroboscopic findings. sound pressure level range and fundamental frequency range of phonation, and results of acoustic analyses of tape-recorded voice. The vocal function after surgical correction of the sulcus vocalis and vocal cord atrophy was improved postoperatively in most patient, but the results were not satisfactory.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2007

Introduction: Actually classification of classic singers' voice depends on habitual judgment by voice teachers or voice trainer referring to vocal timbre, vocal range and vocal quality. Such judgments, however, may turn out to be incorrect because they are based on subjective opinions. Therefore, more objective methodology is required. Method: Foreign dissertations searched through Pub Med, along with foreign and domestic journals, were reviewed regard ing how singers' voice has been categorized. Results: Vocal range, vocal timbre, voice quality, fundamental frequency of habitual speaking, length of vocal tract, the length from cricoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage's thyroid notch and length of vocal fold, tone of passaggio as well as traditional approaches such as perceptual judgment used by professional singers have been used for categorize the voice classification. Conclusion: To optimize categorizing singers' voice, vocal range, vocal timbre, voice quality, fundamental frequency of habitual speaking, length of vocal tract, the length from cricoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage's thyroid notch and length of vocal fold, tone of passaggio may be totally recommended.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in acoustic characteristics after drinking alcoholic beverages and singing in order to establish guidelines for vocal hygiene of both singers and non-singers. 21 university students (10 males and 11 females) vocalized /a/ before drinking, after drinking and after singing. Changes in vocal range and acoustic characteristics were analyzed by Dr. Speech 4.0 (Tigers Electronics). No significant difference was observed in vocal range following drinking. However, there was statistically significant changes in vocal range after singing. We may infer that appropriate amount of singing functioning as vocal warm-up, rather than drinking alone, resulted in improvement in their abilities to lengthen vocal folds. This is directly related to the ability to produce high-pitched sounds. Changes in jitter in female voices after singing was the only acoustic factor that was significant. Changes in Shimmer and NNE was not significant either after drinking nor singing. Subjects who were judged to perform better in singing were marked by minimum acoustic changes, which may due to their well-trained vocal fold function. The results of this study may address the necessity for vocal function exercises for the patients with neurogenic voice disorders including dysarthria. The need for more extensive research with a larger number of subjects including professional voice users is also addressed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2000

Background and Objectives : The Voice Range Profile(VRP) is a two-dimensional graphic dysplay of an individual's amplitude range as a function of total fundamental frequency range. It is designed as a maximum performance test which can be used as a general indicator of voice problems in the non-professional voice and as a sensitive indicator of problems with the professional voice. The purpose of the study is to obtain a baseline VRT for the classical professional singers and compare it with the normal nonsinger's profile. We also compared the difference of VRP between the classical professional singers who have normal vocal fold and who have vocal folds lesions without dysphonia. Materials and Methods : The VRPs were elicited. from 42 trained classical singers(Soprano 26, Mesosoprano 5, Tenor 9, Bariton 2) and 20 untrained nonsingers(female 10, male 10) using Voice Range Profile Model 4326(Kay Elemetrics USA). The mean values for phonational range with highest and lowest pitch level and range of voice intensity with maximum and minimum intensity level were compared between classical singers and nonsingers. Results and Conclusions : The frequency range and dynamic range were significantly increased for the classical singers in comparison to the nonsingers. But there was no significant difference were found for the VRP between the parts in the classical singers. The classical singers who have vocal fold lesions showed slightly decreased VRP compared to those with healthy vocal folds.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to characterize and determine variances of speaking fundamental frequency and vocal intensity depending on gender and three utterance conditions (spontaneous speech, reading, and counting). A total of 65 undergraduate students (32 male students, 33 female students) attending universities in Daegu, South Korea participated in this study. The subjects were all in their 20s. This study used KayPENTAX's Visi-Pitch IV (Model 3950) to measure the variances of speaking fundamental frequency (SFF0) and vocal intensity (VI). As a result, this study came to the following conclusions. First, it was found that both males and females showed no significant difference in SFF0 and vocal intensity among three utterance conditions. Second, this study sought to analyze differences in the variances of SFF0 between males and females. As a result, it was found that females showed significantly higher levels of four measured variances (SFF0 $SD^{**}$, SFF0 $range^{***}$, Min $SFF0^{***}$ and Max $SFF0^{***}$) than males on spontaneous speech. However, it was found that there was no significant difference between males and females in SFF0 range on reading or in SFF0 SD and SFF0 range on counting. It was found that there was no significant difference between males and females in the level of measured variances of vocal intensity depending on utterance conditions. Finally, this study made a comparison and analysis on differences in the variances of SFF0 and vocal intensity among utterance conditions. As a result, it was found that all the measured variances of SFF0 in males were most significantly reduced depending upon spontaneous speech which was followed by reading and counting respectively (SFF0 SD: p<.001, SFF0 range: p<.05, Max SFF0: p<.05). Females however, show no significant difference in the measured variances of SFF0 depending upon three utterance conditions. It was also found that the measured variances of vocal intensity in females were most significantly reduced depending on spontaneous speech that was followed by reading and counting (VI SD: p<.001, VI range: p<.001, Min VI: p<.01 Max VI: p<.05), while males showed no significant difference in the measured variances of vocal intensity depending on three utterance conditions. In sum, these findings suggest that variances of SFF0 in males are affected by three utterance conditions, while variances of vocal intensity in females are affected by three utterance conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2012

Vocal fold scar disrupts structure of lamina propria and causes significant change in vocal fold tissue biomechanics, resulting in a range of voice problems that often significantly compromise patient quality of life. Although several therapeutic management have been offered in an attempt to improve vocal fold scar, the ideal treatment has not yet been found. Recently, several tissue engineering technique for vocal fold scar using growth factors, several cells, and scaffolds have been described in tissue culture and animal models. Several growth factors such as hepatocyte growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta 3 for therapy and prevention of vocal fold scar have been studied. Cell types to regenerate vocal folds in scarring tissue have been introduced autologous or scarred vocal fold fibroblast and adult mesenchymal stem cells. Decellularized organ matrix and several hyaluronic acid materials have used as scaffolds for vocal fold scar.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 2012

Background and Objectives : Vocal fold cyst is generally treated by surgical resection, it has a difference with vocal fold polyp, treated by conservative management first. Decrease in mucosal waves is known as main diagnostic criteria of vocal fold cyst. Sometimes there is a difficulty for diffrential diagnosis between cyst and polyp only by endoscopic examination. The purpose of the study is to identify the objective features of vocal cyst and polyp on the basis of voice analysis for the proper differential diagnosis, especially at high pitched phonation. Materials and Method : The voice analysis was done in 15 focal fold cyst patients and 42 vocal fold polyp. Parameters of perceptual assessment, acoustic and aerodynamic measure, and voice range profile were compared between two groups. Results : Vocal fold cyst patients showed significantly reduced MPT by acoustic and aerodynamic analysis, narrowed frequency-range and low maximun frequency by voice range profile analysis compared with vocal fold polyp patient. Maximun frequency 381 Hz is established for cut off value, differential diagnosis between cyst and polyp (ROC analysis, sensitivity 60%, specificity 68%). Conclusion : Voice analysis is helpful for differential diagnosis between vocal fold cyst and polyp, especially there is a difficulty for distinguish cyst from polyp at clinical situation by endoscopic examination. The result of decreased maximum frequncy at vocal fold cyst supports incomplete high-pitched phonation and falsetto regester at vocal fold cyst patients due to decreased mucosal wave, compared with vocal fold polyp patients.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.377-386
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to compare the vocal range between the older and young adults depending on the absence and presence of pitch cues. Participants were 44 older adults aged from 60 to 85 years and 59 college students aged from 19 to 25 years. Each participant was instructed to vocalize for examining the possible highest pitch to the lowest pitch in two conditions; with and without pitch cues. Without pitch cues, the maximum and minimum pitch of male participants was higher in the older adults than in the young adults group, while the minimum pitch of females was lower in the older adults group than in the young adults group. When presented with pitch cues, young adults could expand their vocal range, but the older adults showed no significant changes in produced vocal ranges. The results indicate that the range of voice in older adults may be affected by aging and these results can be beneficial when selecting the appropriate range of song for singing activities with older adults.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.155-161
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multiple voice therapy technique ($SKMVTT^{(R)}$) using laughter for the treatment of various benign vocal fold lesions. To achieve this, 23 female patients diagnosed with vocal nodules, vocal polyp, and muscle tension dysphonia through videostroboscopy were enrolled in vocal hygiene and $SKMVTT^{(R)}$. All of the patients were treated once a week for 4 to 12 sessions. The GRBAS scale was used to confirm the changes in voice quality before and after the treatment. Acoustic analysis was performed to evaluate jitter, shimmer, NHR, fundamental frequency variation, amplitude variation, PFR, and dB range. Videostroboscopy was performed to confirm the changes in the laryngeal features before and after the treatment. After the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$, the results of the perceptual evaluation demonstrated that the G, R, and B scales significantly improved. An acoustic evaluation also demonstrated that jitter, shimmer, NHR, vAm, vFo, PFR, and dB range also significantly improved after the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$. In comparison to the videostroboscopic findings, the size of the vocal nodules and vocal polyp decreased or disappeared after the treatment. In addition, the size of the cuneiform tubercles decreased, the length of the aryepiglottic folds became longer, and the laryngeal findings of the supraglottic compressions improved after the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$. These results suggest that the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ is effective in improving the vocal quality of patients with benign vocal fold lesions. In conclusion, it seems that laughter and inspiratory phonation suppressed abnormal laryngeal elevation and lowered laryngeal height, which seems to have the effect of improving hyperfunctional phonation.