Usefulness of Direct Magnitude Estimation (DME) and Acoustic Analysis in Measuring Dysphonia Severity.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were (1) to analyze the reliability of direct magnitude estimation (DME) in auditory perceptual assessments measuring dysphonia severity and (2) to analyze the relationship between DME and four acoustic parameters (cepstral peak prominence [CPP], cepstral peak prominence-smoothed [CPPs], Acoustic Voice Quality Index [AVQI], and Acoustic Breathiness Index [ABI]) and (3) to predict dysphonia severity based on DME using four acoustic parameters.

Study Design: One hundred and sixty-one voice samples for dysphonia patients were used. In this study, we combined sustained vowel samples and connected speech samples using the Praat software to make the concatenated samples for implementing acoustic analysis and auditory perceptual assessments.

Comparison of the 3D-Exoscope and Operating Microscope in Mastoidectomy.

Objectives: The operating microscope (OM) commonly used in ear surgeries has several disadvantages, including a low depth of field, a narrow field of view, and unfavorable ergonomic characteristics. The exoscope (EX) was developed to overcome these disadvantages. Herein, we compared OM and EX during mastoidectomy and found out the feasibility of the EX.

Hair Cell Regeneration: From Animals to Humans.

Cochlear hair cells convert sound into electrical signals that are relayed via the spiral ganglion neurons to the central auditory pathway. Hair cells are vulnerable to damage caused by excessive noise, aging, and ototoxic agents. Non-mammals can regenerate lost hair cells by mitotic regeneration and direct transdifferentiation of surrounding supporting cells.

Validation and Development of Voice Handicap Index-Throat for Koreans.

Introduction: This study aimed to develop, validate, and analyze the reliability of the Korean version of the Voice Handicap Index-Throat (VHI-Tk).

Methods: This prospective study included 103 patients in the case group with voice problems (18 with functional dysphonia, 44 with mass in the larynx, 18 with neurological voice disorder, 23 with throat problems) and 27 in the control group without voice problems. All participants completed these questionnaires at their initial visit: the Korean version of the Voice Handicap Index (K-VHI), VHI-Tk, and the Korean version of the Voice Symptom Scale (K-VoiSS).

Prospective Study of Nonsurgical Auricular Correction According to Timing of Treatment.

Background: Many studies recommend nonsurgical auricular correction during the early postnatal period, when cartilage plasticity is high; however, many patients are not eligible for the procedure. This study compared different timings of nonsurgical auricular correction to investigate benefit after the optimal period for correction.

Methods: In this prospective study, 53 ears from 35 patients with congenital auricular anomaly were assigned to 2 groups according to age at correction: the early group, with correction within 2 weeks of birth, and the late group, with correction 8 weeks after birth.

A Cepstral Analysis of Pathological Voice Quality in the Korean Population using Praat.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the reference values for cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and smoothed CPP (CPPS) measured using Praat in Korean speakers with the normal, healthy and pathological voice.

Methods: A total of 4,524 Korean participants with vocally healthy (n = 410) and dysphonic voices (n = 4,114) participated in this study. The speech task consisted of a sustained vowel /a/ and a sentence reading the Korean passage "Walk".

The Usefulness of Multi Voice Evaluation for Measuring Voice Recovery After Endolaryngeal Phonomicrosurgery in Patients with Vocal Fold Polyps.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to the usefulness of a five-variable model predicting perceived voice severity and incorporating acoustic analysis based on cepstral analysis and self-reported questionnaires, for measuring voice recovery after endolaryngeal phonomicrosurgery in patients with vocal fold polyps.

Methods: In this study, 72 patients with vocal fold polyps were included. Two voice evaluations, including acoustic analysis, self-reported questionnaires, and auditory perceptual assessments for each patient, were implemented before and after endolaryngeal phonomicrosurgery.

The Clinical Value of Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensity on MRI in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objectives: To assess the clinical value of periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PWMH) found on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Methods: In this prospective study, 115 patients who were diagnosed with SSNHL aged between 55 and 75 years were analyzed. All subjects underwent brain MRI and were divided into a PWMH and control groups, depending on the presence of PWMH on MRI.

A longitudinal study of changes of congenital auricular deformity regarding self-correction.

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with congenital auricular deformities and evaluate the long-term frequency of their self-correction. Ninety newborns were enrolled in the study, and data were collected within 2 weeks after birth and at 1 year. The shape of the auricle was classified into seven categories using a digital image.

The usefulness of multi voice evaluation: Development of a model for predicting a degree of dysphonia.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were (1) to analyze the usefulness of self-report questionnaires, acoustic analysis, and auditory perceptual assessment for screening voice problems; and (2) to develop a new model for predicting a comprehensive voice severity using multi-assessment.

Methods: A total of 306 voice samples were analyzed in this study (typical group, n = 72; dysphonia group, n = 234). We performed a receiver operating characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff values of auditory perceptual assessments (visual analog scale), acoustic parameters (spectral- and cepstral-based analyses), and self-report questionnaires for screening voice disorders.

The validity of the Acoustic Breathiness Index in the evaluation of breathy voice quality: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: The evaluation of voice quality with acoustic measurements is useful to objectify the diagnostic process. Particularly, breathiness was highly evaluated and the Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) might have promising features.

Objective Of Review: The goal of the present meta-analysis is to quantify, from existing cross-validation studies, the evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of ABI, including its sensitivity and specificity.

The Protective Effect of Echinochrome A on Extracellular Matrix of Vocal Folds in Ovariectomized Rats.

Here, we investigated the effects of sex hormones on extracellular matrix (ECM)-related gene expression in the vocal fold lamina propria of ovariectomized (after ovary removal) rats and verified whether echinochrome A (ECH) exerts any therapeutic effects on ECM reconstitution after estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized rats. Sprague-Dawley female rats (9 weeks old) were acclimatized for a week and randomly divided into three groups ( = 15 each group) as follows: group I (sham-operated rats, SHAM), group II (ovariectomized rats, OVX), group III (ovariectomized rats treated with ECH, OVX + ECH). Rats from the OVX + ECH group were intraperitoneally injected with ECH at 10 mg/kg thrice a week after surgery for 6 weeks.

The Usefulness of Auditory Perceptual Assessment and Acoustic Analysis as a Screening Test for Voice Problems.

Background/aims: The aims of study were (1) to determine the cut-off values of parameters related to auditory perceptual assessment (visual analog scale [VAS]) and acoustic analysis (cepstral peak prominence [CPP], low-frequency/high-frequency [L/H] ratio, CPP SD, L/H ratio SD, acoustic voice quality index [AVQI], and cepstral spectral index of dysphonia [CSID]) for predicting voice problems within a Korean population, and (2) to verify the discriminative power of these cut-off values.

Methods: 1,113 voice samples were analyzed in this study. Perceptual assessments (VAS) were performed by 5 speech-language pathologists.

Validation of Acoustic Voice Quality Index Version 3.01 and Acoustic Breathiness Index in Korean Population.

Objectives: This study aimed to verify the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) version 3.01 and the Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) as tools for acoustic analyses in the Korean language.

Methods: Concatenated voice samples of sustained vowels (SV) and continuous speech (CS) were collected from 151 subjects with dysphonia and 71 vocally healthy subjects.

Comparison of Cepstral Analysis Based on Voiced-Segment Extraction and Voice Tasks for Discriminating Dysphonic and Normophonic Korean Speakers.

Objectives: This study investigated whether there are differences in the discriminatory power of cepstral analysis according to the voiced-segment extraction method and voice tasks used for identifying dysphonic and normophonic Korean individuals.

Materials And Methods: A total of 2,863 subjects (2,595 subjects with and 268 subjects without dysphonia) were included in this study. The 3-second sustained vowel (SV) /a/ and one sentence of "Sanchaek" were edited and analyzed using Praat scripts.

Transvenous Stent-assisted Coil Embolization for Management of Dehiscent High Jugular Bulb With Tinnitus and Contralateral Hypoplastic Venous Sinuses.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transvenous stent-assisted coil embolization for dehiscent high jugular bulb (HJB) with tinnitus and contralateral hypoplastic venous sinus.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary academic medical center.

The Usefulness of Auditory Perceptual Assessment and Acoustic Analysis for Classifying the Voice Severity.

Objective: The aims of this study were to (1) to determine the cut-off values of parameters related to auditory perceptual assessment (visual analog scale) and acoustic analysis (cepstral peak prominence, low frequency/high frequency ratio, cepstral peak prominence standard deviation, low frequency/high frequency ratio standard deviation, acoustic voice quality index, and cepstral spectral index of dysphonia) for predicting the voice severity within a Korean population; and (2) to verify the discriminative power of these cut-off values.

Methods: Voice samples of 1,029 subjects who visited Pusan National University Hospital, South Korea to be treated for swallowing or voice evaluation from January 2018 to December 2018 were analyzed in this retrospective study. The acoustic analysis of cepstral parameters, cepstral spectral index of dysphonia, and acoustic voice quality index were calculated using the Computerized Speech Lab and Praat software.

Voice Recovery in a Patient with Inhaled Laryngeal Burns.

Introduction: Laryngeal burns cause long-term voice disorders due to mucosal changes of the vocal folds. Inhalation injuries affect voice production and result in changes in the mucosal thickness and voice quality.

Case Report: A 47-year-old woman was transferred to our department with laryngeal burns sustained during a house fire.

Effects of Injection Laryngoplasty with Hyaluronic Acid in Patients with Vocal Fold Paralysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of injection laryngoplasty (IL) with hyaluronic acid in patients with vocal fold paralysis (VFP).

Methods: A total of 50 patients with VFP participated in this study. Pre- and post-IL assessments were performed, which included analyzing the sustained vowel /a/ phonation, and the patient reading 1 Korean sentence from the "Walk" passage that comprised 25 syllables in 10 words.

Real-Time Light-Guided Vocal Fold Injection: Ex Vivo Feasibility Study in a Canine Model.

Objective: The transcricothyroid (CT) membrane approach is a good option for office-based vocal fold injection (VFI). However, because the needle tip is invisible during injection using the CT approach, precise localization requires a high level of experience, and mastering this approach involves a steep learning curve. To overcome current limitations, we conceptualized a novel technique: real-time light-guided VFI (RL-VFI), which enables simultaneous VFI under direct visualization of the lighted needle tip.

Comparison of Two Versions of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index for Quantification of Dysphonia Severity.

Objectives: The acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) is a specific acoustic indicator designed to objectively estimate dysphonia severity and measure the values of acoustic parameters based on the diagnostic category. This study compared the performance of two AVQI versions (2.02 and 3.

Validation of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index in the Korean Language.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the concurrent validity of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) in a Korean population. We investigated the feasibility of its cutoff values and diagnostic accuracy in discriminating between normal and dysphonic voices.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1,524 native Korean subjects with normal voices (n = 113) and with voice disorders (n = 1,411) were asked to speak and sustain the vowel "a" and to read the Korean text "Walk" aloud.