Abstract
Investigation and improvement of pathological voices
An understandable and loud voice is the precondition to avoid social retreat of patients with operations of the larynx. In this projet we followed three aims: Firstly, we asked patients for communication problems in ADLs, then we analyzed the voices of patients with operation or resection of the larynx. In addition, we tried to improve the understandability of these pathological voies with technical devices. For this purpose, we recorded and analyzed standardized vocal tasks of 43 patients (Elektrolarynx, ructus and pharyngeal fistula). The best voice after resection of the larynx had the patients with fistula. Objective investigations showed considerable deficits of average number of syllables per minute, pressure of sound and maximal duration of sounds. Typical records were modulated with a computer program to increase understandability. Then 36 rater judged the records of the original voices and the modulated versions. We were able to show an improvement of the understandability of these voices following the computer-based changes in many patients.
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