Voice Perturbations of Children With Perceived Nasality and Hoarseness

Abstract

Cycle-to—cycle variations in voice fundamental frequency (jitter) and amplitude (shimmer) were derived by electroglottography for 10 children with velo-pharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Jitter was found to be positively correlated with ratings of perceived nasality, whereas shimmer was found to be positively correlated with ratings of perceived hoarseness. Theoretic implications for a regulatory model of speech aerodynamics are discussed. Additionally, clinical applications, in terms of using electroglottography as a supplemental assessment procedure, are suggested. Marks et al, 1971; D'Antonio et al, 1988). Vocal problems such as hoarseness (both with and without vocal cord pathology), breathiness, reduced loudness, deviant pitch, restricted pitch range, and tense-strained vocal quality have been observed. D'Antonio et al (1988) reported that 41 percent of a group of individuals with velopharyngeal insufficiency exhibited " laryngeal abnormalities " and/or abnormal vocal quality. Their sample (n=85) consisted of 42 individuals with cleft palate (49 percent), 10 with submucous cleft palate (12 percent), and 33 without clefts (39 percent). The prevalence of voice disorders was not significantly different between individuals with clefts and those without clefts. D'Antonio et al (1988) did note a significant relationship between the presence of vocal findings and increased sub-glottal pressure, although a cause-and-effect relationship was not established. McWilliams et a1 (1969) reported that bilateral vocal cord nodules occurred in 72 percent of a group of 32 children with both cleft palate and chronic hoarseness. The majority of these children were found to have " borderline " velopha-ryngeal competence. McWilliams et a1 (1969) suggested that the children may have had laryngeal compensations other than glottal stops that contributed to the development of their vocal pathology. McWilliams et al (