Effect of vocal loading on throat temperature in young phono-normal adults

Abstract

Background: Infrared thermography is used to detect heat on the surface and subsurface and online monitoring of process. Vocal loading has been defined as acoustic changes in the voice as a result of prolonged voice use. Vocal loading involves continuous oscillation of vocal folds where the colliding forces between the vocal folds for longer period would generate and dissipate heat. Aims: The primary objective of the study was to determine any difference in temperature (near the neck region) and fundamental frequency (F0) pre- and post-vocal loading task. The secondary objective was to find the influence of gender on these parameters during pre- and post-vocal loading task. Study Design: Pretest-posttest design. Subjects and Methods: The study included two groups: Group I and Group II which included ten phono-normal males and ten phono-normal females, respectively, between the age range of 18 and 24 years. Throat temperature and F0 (phonation sample) were measured before and after vocal loading task (reading a material in English at 70–75 dB for 40 min). The F0 was measured using PRAAT software and temperature using SmartView software. Results: Within-group and between-group comparisons were made using mixed ANOVA for both temperature and F0. There was a significant difference in temperature within groups; however, there was no significant difference between the groups. Comparison of temperature pre- and post-vocal loading revealed significant difference within groups; however, it was not significantly different between the two groups. Pre- and post-vocal loading comparison of F0 revealed significant difference within and between groups. Conclusions: Group II had more temperature and F0 when compared to Group I, that is, higher temperature and higher F0, whereas Group II individuals are vulnerable to get voice problems if they continue to use prolonged loud speech as their vocal behaviors.