[The lombard reflex as a test of vocal function (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Speech Science

Context:

• Background noise triggers the Lombard reflex, increasing voice intensity and pitch, potentially leading to vocal strain and dysphonia.
• Understanding vocal responses to noise is crucial for diagnosing and treating voice disorders.

Purpose:

• To investigate the relationship between the Lombard reflex and hyperfunctional dysphonia.
• To compare vocal pitch and intensity changes in response to noise among singers, normal controls, and patients with dysphonia.

Summary:

• Objective measurements of voice intensity and pitch changes during binaural masking revealed significant differences.
• While intensity increases were similar across groups, patients with dysphonia exhibited the greatest pitch elevation, followed by normal controls and then singers.

Impact:

• Elevated pitch increments during noise exposure are a more significant etiological factor in dysphonia than intensity increments.
• Vocal training and therapy can positively influence the Lombard reflex, reducing vocal strain in noisy environments.
• Measuring pitch changes during masking aids in dysphonia diagnosis, therapy, and prevention.