[Subjective and objective voice assessment following partial resection of the larynx]

There is no generally accepted, standardized approach for evaluation of voice quality and of intelligibility after partial laryngectomy. A voice evaluation which considers some aspects of voice quality is possible by assessing physical and acoustic voice parameters. But this approach does not consider how the patient subjectively assesses his postoperatively altered voice and how the patient believes he is understood by various communication partners. In this study objective and subjective variables of the voice quality of 32 patients with partial laryngectomies were measured. First, selected physical and acoustic variables of voice quality were quantified. Second, subjective criteria of voice quality and of intelligibility were assessed by a questionnaire. A significant correlation between variables of objective and subjective voice quality was found. The maximum vocal intensity, the maximum pitch, and the intensity range correlated significantly with the subjective assessment of intelligibility. No relationship was found between the acoustic variables and the subjectively perceived degree of vocal disability.