To "EE" or not to "EE".

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To assess whether /i:/ ("ee") is the best sound to use during indirect laryngoscopy to produce the optimal view of the larynx. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING District general hospital otolaryngology outpatient clinic. PATIENTS Eighty-seven patients from a general otolaryngology clinic with no laryngeal or pharyngeal symptoms or pathology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The views obtained during indirect laryngoscopy and vocalization of /i:/ ("ee"), /ei/ ("ay"), /[see text]/ ("err"), /a:/ ("ah"), and /eă/ ("air") were graded according to a laryngoscopy grading system. RESULTS The greatest number of adequate views of the larynx was achieved by using the sounds /i:/ and /[see text]/. There was no significant difference between /i:/ and /[see text]/ (p = .740), but there were significant differences between /i:/ and /ei/ (p = .019), /i:/ and /a:/ (p = .00000), and /i:/ and /eă/ (p = .00013). CONCLUSION For the optimal view of the larynx during indirect laryngoscopy, we recommend the use of the sounds /i:/ ("ee") and /[see text]/ ("err").