Acoustic Measurements of the Glottic Source of Female Teachers With Dysphonia

To verify the acoustic measurements of glottic source of dysphonic teachers of a medium-sized municipality of interior of the state.

Retrospective, cross-sectional, and quantitative study, with a composite sample of 34 dysphonic teachers, of which 21 teachers without laryngeal affections and 13 with laryngeal affections, mean age 39.1 years old and 39.5 years old, respectively. Glottic source acoustic analysis was performed with the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced. The data were analyzed statistically to verify the significance of each acoustic measure between the groups (with laryngeal affection, without laryngeal affection, and total) and in relation to the normality proposed by the software.

In the three conditions (groups with and without affection and total) the means were statistically below normality in the measurements of maximum and minimum fundamental frequency. In the group without affection, frequency, and noise measurements presented above normality. In both groups, measurements of frequency, noise, and subharmonic segments were above normal, and number of voice breaks below normal.

Acoustic parameters outside the normal pattern showed an aperiodic vocal production, with presence of noise and instability in the vocal signal, in dysphonic teachers with or without alteration at the laryngeal level.