Changes in the quality of voice in dysphonic patients in the La Serena Hospital Treated with vocal therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Phonoaudiological dysphonia therapy provides a set of subjective re- sources whose effectiveness must be quantified. Aim: In the present work is to objectively quantify changes in voice quality of dys- phonic patients using as reference indices disturbance of the fundamental frequency (Jitter) and intensity (Shimmer), and determine whether the development is consistent with the subjective evaluation phonoaudiologist. Material and method: 27 patients who completed dysphonic voice therapy between 2009 and 2011, corresponding to 38% of consultations phonoaudiological dysphonia, at the Hospital of La Serena were selected. Each patient in addition to the subjective eva- luation, had initial and final application of the PRAAT acoustic analysis program. Results using the SPSS statistical analysis software were compared. Results: The results show that disturbances in the frequency and intensity recorded with acoustic analysis in the same proportion will reduce the perceived degree of hoar- seness and that these variations are independent of other variables such as age, sex and type of dysphonia. Conclusion: The importance of speech therapy intervention in the treatment of dys- phonia and the relevance of the application of acoustic analysis as a means of objective evaluation and monitoring is emphasized.