Vocal indices of stress: a review.

Objective: Identification of stress patterns in the voice has multiple potential applications. The objective was to review literature pertaining to the effects of various forms of stress upon the healthy voice.

Study Design: Literature review, discussion of results, and direction for further study.

Aerodynamic indices of velopharyngeal function in childhood apraxia of speech.

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is characterized as a deficit in the motor processes of speech for the volitional control of the articulators, including the velum. One of the many characteristics attributed to children with CAS is intermittent or inconsistent hypernasality. The purpose of this study was to document differences in velopharyngeal function in children diagnosed with CAS from children with typically-developing speech.

The effect of acid suppression on upper airway anatomy and obstruction in patients with sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Study Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of acid suppression on upper airway structure and function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: This is a single-site within-subjects design. Twenty five patients with documented mild OSAS and objectively documented GERD via 24-hour pH measurement were included in the study.

Beta-adrenergic blockade and voice: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

This study investigated the effects of laboratory-induced stress and beta-adrenergic blockade on acoustic and aerodynamic voice measures. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 12 participants, six males and six females, underwent cold pressor-induced sympathetic activation followed by placebo or treatment with 40 mg propranolol. Aerodynamic and acoustic parameters of voice were collected at baseline, during cold pressor and after treatment with propranolol or placebo.