Acoustic Parameters of Swallowing in Adults and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Acoustic analysis is a promising resource for qualifying the clinical evaluation of swallowing and making it more objective. To compare the acoustic parameters of swallowing obtained from the capture of sounds by digital cervical auscultation in adults and older people. This is a cross-sectional study. Six groups were defined based on age range and the presence or absence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD): adults (18-59 years) with and without OD (G1 and G2), older individuals aged 60 to 75 years with and without OD (G3 and G4), and older individuals aged 76 years or older with and without OD (G5 and G6). A stethoscope with an amplifier was used to capture swallowing sounds, which were recorded during ingestion. Data analysis was conducted in R, and acoustic analysis was performed in Python. The study sample consisted of 408 participants, totaling 2057 swallows. In the G1 and G2, the magnitude and recurrence parameters differentiated between individuals with and without OD (p < 0.001). Among G3 and G4, the differences involved duration (p = 0.022), magnitude, phase, and recurrence (p < 0.001). Among G5 and G6, significant differences were found in the parameters phase (p = 0.012) and recurrence (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the acoustic parameters of swallowing were observed between groups, demonstrating the impact of age on normal swallowing and dysphagia. Recognizing age-related particularities and defining specific acoustic parameters of swallowing is crucial for enhancing clinical speech therapy practice through more precise and effective interventions.