Abstracts
Broaddus-Lawrence, Pamela; Treole, Kathleen; McCabe, Robert B.; Allen, Rose L.; & Toppin, Louise. The effects of preventive vocal hygiene education on the vocal hygiene habits and perceptual vocal characteristics of training singers. Journal of Voice. V.14. No. 1. pp 58-71. 2000.
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of vocal hygiene
education on the vocal hygiene behaviors and perceptual vocal characteristics
of untrained singers. Eleven adult untrained singers served as subjects. They
attended four 1-hour class sessions on vocal hygiene, including anatomy and
physiology of the phonatory mechanism, vocally abusive behaviors, voice disorders
commonly seen in singers, and measures to prevent voice disorders. Pre- and
postinstruction surveys were used to record subjects' vocal abuses and their
perceptions of their speaking and singing voice. They also rated their perceived
value of vocal hygiene education. Results revealed minimal changes in vocal
hygiene behaviors and perceptual voice characteristics. The subjects did report
a high degree of benefit and learning, however.
Gregg, Jean Westerman. The three stages of voice: The singing/acting mature adult- Singing instruction perspective. Journal of Voice. V.11. No. 2. pp165-170. 1997.
Summary
Complete knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism and tract
is essential for the voice teacher to be maximally effective. Possible contributing
factors to vocal attrition in the mature singer/actor are outlined: poor posture,
inadequate respiratory function, lack of adequate hydration, phonatory hyperfunction,
habitual speaking pitch at too low a frequency, lack of resonance, tongue
tension affecting phonation, resonation, and articulation. Techniques for
rehabilitation of the damaged voice are recommended.
Verdolini-Marston, Katherine; Sandage, Mary; & Titze, Ingo R. Effect of hydration treatments on laryngeal nodules and polyps and related voice measures. Journal of Voice. V. 8. No. 1. pp 30-47. 1994.
Abstract
In this study, a double-blind, placebo-controlled approach was used in assessing
the effectiveness of hydration treatments in the clinical management of selected
voice disorders. Six adult female patients with laryngeal nodules or polyps
each received 5 consecutive days of hydration treatment and 5 consecutive
days of placebo/control and hydration treatment. The combined results indicated
improvements in voice and in laryngeal appearance following both placebo/control
and hydration treatments as compared with baseline. However, the greatest
improvements were obtained following the hydration treatment. Although caution
about generalization of the effects to the typical clinical situation is emphasized,
the study provides preliminary evidence of a therapeutic benefit from hydration
treatments in patients with nodules or polyps. Based on previous theoretical
work, hydration effects may be related to reductions in the viscosity of vocal
fold tissue, although other explanations are also possible.
Verdolini, Katherine; Titze, Ingo R.; & Fennell, Ann. Dependence of phonatory effort on hydration level. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research. V 37 pp 1001-1007. Oct 1994.
Abstract
In this study, a double-blind placebo-controlled approach was used to assess
the relation between hydration level and phonatory effort. Twelve adult, untrained
voice users with normal voices participated as subjects. Each subject received
a 4-hour hydration treatment, a 4-hour dehydration treatment, and a 4-hour
placebo (control) treatment. Following each treatment, phonatory effort was
measured with a physiological measure, phonation threshold pressure (PTP),
and with a psychological measure, direct magnitude estimation of perceived
phonatory effort (DMEPPE). Summarizing the results across these measures,
the findings indicated an inverse relation between phonatory effort and hydration
level, but primarily for high-pitched phonation tasks. The findings for PTPs
replicated those from an earlier study conducted without double-blind experimental
manipulations (Verdolini-Marston, Titze, & Druker, 1990). Theoretical
discussion focuses on the possible role of vocal fold tissue viscosity for
hydration and dehydration effects, although direct measures of tissue viscosity
are lacking.
What is hydration? Cellular Hydration Why does it matter? Methods of vocal fold hydration Efficacy of vocal fold hydration