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Routine acoustic voice analysis: time to think again?

Meike Brockmann-Bauser¹, Michael J Drinnan

¹Department of Phoniatry and Speech Pathology, Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. meike.brockmann@usz.ch

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|April 13, 2011

Summary

Acoustic voice analysis, using jitter and shimmer, is common in clinical voice disorder assessments but lacks proven validity. Improvements in protocols and normative values are needed to enhance its reliability and clinical utility.

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Area of Science:

Speech and Hearing Sciences
Clinical Acoustics
Voice Disorders Research

Background:

Acoustic voice analysis is frequently employed in clinical settings for voice disorder diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Jitter and shimmer are commonly used acoustic parameters, but their direct correlation with voice pathology or hoarseness is not consistently supported by recent data.
The clinical utility of acoustic analysis may be influenced by factors such as assessment methods, patient demographics (gender), and speaking conditions (vowel, intensity).

Purpose of the Study:

To review current evidence on the validity and reliability of acoustic voice analysis in routine clinical practice.
To evaluate the role of jitter and shimmer in voice assessments.
To identify potential improvements for the clinical application of acoustic voice analysis.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of recent evidence on acoustic voice analysis.
Evaluation of the clinical application of jitter and shimmer.
Analysis of factors affecting the reliability and validity of acoustic measures.

Main Results:

Acoustic analysis is widely used despite limited evidence supporting its validity for differential diagnosis of voice disorders.
Jitter and shimmer are not definitive indicators of voice pathology or hoarseness.
Acoustic analysis shows potential as an outcome measure for within-patient treatment comparisons, but its accuracy is affected by confounding variables.
The true clinical value of acoustic analysis is often obscured by variations in assessment systems, gender, vowel, and speaking intensity.

Conclusions:

The clinical validity of acoustic voice assessments remains unproven.
Measurement reliability is limited and can be enhanced through standardized protocols and consensus.
Future research should focus on revising clinical procedures and normative data, considering factors like gender and vowel, to establish the potential of acoustic voice analysis.