Comparison of Voice Acoustic Parameters in Persons with Organic Voice Disorders

Introduction/Aim. Voice is an acoustic phenomenon that must be viewed multidimensionally. In the quantitative assessment of voice characteristics, the use of acoustic parameters becomes a necessary method of analysis. The aim of the paper is to examine whether there are differences in the acoustic parameters of the voice (the average value of the fundamental frequency - Fo, variations in the height of the fundamental frequency - Jita, and variations in the intensity of the fundamental tone of the larynx - ShdB in people with organic voice disorders with reference to gender and age). Methods. The research included 30 subjects with organic voice disorders (inflammatory processes in the larynx and various allergic diseases), of both sexes (female n = 13, male n = 17), aged from 13 to 85 years. The first age group consisted of respondents aged 13 - 40 years, and the second age group consisted of respondents aged 41 - 85 years. The acoustic parameters of the voice were processed with a computer program for multidimensional vocal analysis model 4300 of the "Kay Elemetrics" voice laboratory. Results. The results of the analyzed parameters (Fo, Jita, ShdB) show that the mentioned parameters deviate from the reference values in women. Analyzing the acoustic parameters of the voice in older and younger subjects with organic voice disorders, it can be seen that there are significant differences between the two groups of subjects in the acoustic parameters of the voice in older subjects. Conclusion. Considering the importance of voice and speech for social development, these research findings imply the need to describe the quantitative and microstructural characteristics of the voice in individuals with organic voice disorders, thereby providing vocal pathologists with a better understanding of the relationship between the investigated independent factors of sex, age, smoking status, and voice, improving their ability in the process of diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation of organic voice disorders.