Comparison of dysphonia severity index between younger and older carnatic classical singers and nonsingers

The main objective of this study was to compare dysphonia severity index (DSI) and its parameters between Carnatic classical singers and nonsingers. The second objective was to investigate the effect of age on DSI and its parameters in both singers and nonsingers.

This study included 30 female Carnatic classical singers who were subdivided into two groups based on their age: 15 younger singers and 15 older singers. These 30 singers were compared with 30 age and gender matched nonsingers.

From each participant, measures of highest phonational frequency, lowest intensity, jitter, and maximum phonation time were obtained. Using these, DSI values were calculated.

Singers had significantly greater highest phonational frequency, longer maximum phonation time, and higher DSI values. When compared with the younger participants, older participants had significantly reduced highest phonational frequency, maximum phonation time, and DSI values.

The results of this study suggest that DSI values vary between Carnatic classical singers and nonsingers, and hence separate normative data may need to be established for this group of singers for clinical comparison purposes.