Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects
Published on: February 12, 2021
The Effect of Masks and Respirators on Acoustic Voice Analysis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Ebru Karakaya Gojayev1, Zahide Çiler Büyükatalay1, Tuğba Akyüz1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara University, Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
Objectives:
World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and reliability of voice analysis performed with surgical masks and respirators during the pandemic and to discuss its routine applicability.
Methods:
This prospective study included 204 patients who applied to our clinic between the ages of 18 and 55, whose preoperative SARS-Cov-2 PCR tests were negative. Voice analyses were performed on each patient without a mask, with a surgical mask and with a valved face-filtering piece-3 (FFP3) respirator respectively. The F0, shimmer, jitter, s/z ratio, maximum phonation time and harmonic/noise ratio (HNR) values obtained from the voice analyses were compared with each other.
Results:
No significant difference was found in terms of F0, Jitter, Shimmer, HNR, s/z and maximum phonation time values in the voice analyses performed without a mask and with a surgical mask. With an FFP3, a significant difference was found in only the Shimmer and HNR values compared to the other analysis values. When we look at the data with sex distinction, in the group of female and male patients, when the data of voice analysis obtained in three situations were compared, different results were obtained from the female and male group.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it should be decided by the physician to perform the voice analysis with a surgical mask or with an FFP3, considering the clinically desired parameters.
More Related Videos
09:03Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published on: November 7, 2020
06:01Semi-Automated Analysis of Peak Amplitude and Latency for Auditory Brainstem Response Waveforms Using R
Published on: December 9, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:28Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
01:30Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:30Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
01:21Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...