OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the connections between voice ergonomic risk factors found in classrooms and voice-related problems in teachers. METHODS Voice ergonomic assessment was performed in 39 classrooms in 14 elementary schools by means of a Voice Ergonomic Assessment in Work Environment--Handbook and Checklist. The voice ergonomic risk factors assessed included wor...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS This study explores whether changes in voice- and swallow-related QoL are associated with progression of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). Furthermore, it examines the relationship between patients' perception of both voice and swallowing disorders in IPD. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study, quality of life (QoL). METHODS One-hundred mentally competent IPD pat...

The objective of this study was to document functional results and to compare objective and subjective voice measures after endoscopic laryngoplasty with injection of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis, and to verify PDMS biocompatibility in vocal fold. The design used was a longitudinal prospective study. Fifteen patients with unilateral vocal fold...

Voice problems are seldom reported in pollen allergy, although the allergic reaction involves the entire airways. The objective of this study was to investigate voice dysfunction during the pollen season in patients with allergic rhinitis. Thirty patients with verified birch pollen allergy and 30 controls were investigated twice, during the pollen season and outside the pollen season. Both time...

Individuals who undergo laryngectomy, surgical removal of the larynx, loose their normal voice. The breathing pattern is altered to permanent tracheostomal breathing. A new voice can be established by use of a segment in the lower part of the pharynx and the most upper part of the esophagus, the pharyngo-esophageal (PE) segment. This is the voice source in tracheoesophageal (TE) speech and esop...

A DNA polymorphism for an Xbal site in intron 22 of the human factor VIlI:C gene extends the utility of DNA methods for carrier detection in families segregating for hemophilia A. While the DNA polymorphism detected by a BcII site in intron 1 8 of the factor Vlll:C gene was informative for 41 % of females studied, the BgIl/intron 25 polymerphism provided no additional information because of app...

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of monitoring external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during robotic thyroid surgery. METHODS A total of 10 patients undergoing bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic thyroid surgery were enrolled. The nerve integrity monitor (NIM Response 2.0 System) was used for EBSLN monitoring. We performed voice assess...

INTRODUCTION This study prospectively evaluates and compares the treatment efficacy of botulinum toxin injection under electromyography guidance (EMG group) and percutaneous botulinum toxin injection under flexible fiberscopic guidance (fiberscopy group). METHODS Thirty patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), who had never received treatment, were randomly allocated into EMG- or fi...