Voice Meets Swallowing: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Connections.

Purpose: This scoping review aimed to explore the use of volitional voice tasks in assessing swallowing-related outcomes and to evaluate their therapeutic impact on swallowing disorders, including their effects on swallowing biomechanics.

Method: This scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A literature search was performed across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), and additional records were identified through manual searches.

Developing a mobile application for gender-affirming voice training: A community-engaged approach.

Objectives: To date, there has yet to be a rigorous exploration of voice and communication modification training (VCMT) among transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals using digital technology. We sought to evaluate and describe the iterative process of app development using a community-based approach.

Methods: An interprofessional team of voice health care professionals, application developers, designers, and TGNC community members was assembled to conceive the functionality, content, and design of a mobile app to support VCMT for TGNC people.

Chemical Laryngitis Following Periprocedural Emesis.

Although emesis is a relatively common event that bathes the larynx in low pH and irritative enzymes, prolonged laryngeal consequences of emesis are atypical. We present three cases of laryngeal injury of unusual severity and duration from periprocedural emesis and discuss predisposing factors, acute management, and mitigation of sequalae.

Effects of Puree Type and Color on Ratings of Pharyngeal Residue, Penetration, and Aspiration during FEES: A Prospective Study of 37 Dysphagic Outpatient Adults.

Introduction: Flexible endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (FEES) involve the administration of a variety of foods and liquids to assess outcomes related to pharyngeal residue, penetration, and aspiration. While the type and color of thin liquids used during FEES have been found to significantly affect FEES ratings, it is unknown if similar effects are observed with pureed foods. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess the effects of puree type (applesauce vs.

Development of Machine Learning Copilot to Assist Novices in Learning Flexible Laryngoscopy.

Objectives: Here we describe the development and pilot testing of the first artificial intelligence (AI) software "copilot" to help train novices to competently perform flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FFL) on a mannikin and improve their uptake of FFL skills.

Methods: Supervised machine learning was used to develop an image classifier model, dubbed the "anatomical region classifier," responsible for predicting the location of camera in the upper aerodigestive tract and an object detection model, dubbed the "anatomical structure detector," responsible for locating and identifying key anatomical structures in images. Training data were collected by performing FFL on an AirSim Combo Bronchi X mannikin (United Kingdom, TruCorp Ltd) using an Ambu aScope 4 RhinoLaryngo Slim connected to an Ambu® aView™ 2 Advance Displaying Unit (Ballerup, Ambu A/S).

Vocal Fold Pseudocysts: Are Unilateral and Bilateral Lesions Distinct Entities?

Background: Unilateral vocal fold pseudocysts have been hypothesized to result from vocal fold paresis, but no explanation has been proposed for bilateral lesions. This study compares patients with unilateral to those with bilateral pseudocysts for insights into pathogenesis.

Methods: Adults with unilateral and bilateral pseudocysts evaluated between 2018 and 2023 were retrospectively studied.

The Relationship Between Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions of Clinical Terminology and Its Use in Voice Therapy with Adults.

Objectives: The terminology used by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) during voice therapy is important for treatment outcomes because it can impact both patient self-efficacy and adherence. However, little is known about what factors influence the terminology that SLPs choose to use. Understanding this gap is important to ultimately optimize voice therapy outcomes.

Quantification of Automatic Speech Recognition System Performance on d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Speech.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of commercial automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems on d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing (d/Dhh) speech.

Methods: A corpus containing 850 audio files of d/Dhh and normal hearing (NH) speech from the University of Memphis Speech Perception Assessment Laboratory was tested on four speech-to-text application program interfaces (APIs): Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Chirp, and OpenAI Whisper. We quantified the Word Error Rate (WER) of API transcriptions for 24 d/Dhh and nine NH participants and performed subgroup analysis by speech intelligibility classification (SIC), hearing loss (HL) onset, and primary communication mode.

New developments in the application of artificial intelligence to laryngology.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature on artificial intelligence technology utilization in laryngology, highlighting recent advances and current barriers to implementation.

Recent Findings: The volume of publications studying applications of artificial intelligence in laryngology has rapidly increased, demonstrating a strong interest in utilizing this technology. Vocal biomarkers for disease screening, deep learning analysis of videolaryngoscopy for lesion identification, and auto-segmentation of videofluoroscopy for detection of aspiration are a few of the new ways in which artificial intelligence is poised to transform clinical care in laryngology.

Artificial Intelligence in Otolaryngology: Topics in Epistemology & Ethics.

To fuel artificial intelligence (AI) potential in clinical practice in otolaryngology, researchers must understand its epistemic limitations, which are tightly linked to ethical dilemmas requiring careful consideration. AI tools are fundamentally opaque systems, though there are methods to increase explainability and transparency. Reproducibility and replicability limitations can be overcomed by sharing computing code, raw data, and data processing methodology.

Voice Disorders and Hearing Loss May Be Additive Risk Factors for Depression in a National Cohort.

Objectives: Hearing loss (HL) (receptive communication impairment) is a known risk factor for depression. However, dysphonia (expressive communication impairment), has received little study. We study HL, self-reported voice disorder, and combined impairment as risk factors for depression in a large national cohort.

Understanding Performers' Perspectives on Access to Care and Support for Voice Injuries: A Survey Study.

Introduction: Previous studies show that performers face higher risk of voice injury and experience greater impairment compared to nonperformers. Understanding the factors influencing support for performers is important for improving outcomes.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to a target audience of performers with past voice injury, inquiring about their understanding of voice injury "red flags," access to voice care support resources, treatment adherence, and comfort discussing injury with others.

Prospective Outcomes of Microlaryngoscopy Versus Office Laser Photoangiolysis for Vocal Fold Polyps.

Objective(s): The objective of this study is to compare treatment outcomes for vocal fold polyps (VFPs) between operating room microlaryngoscopy and office-based photoangiolysis with the potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser.

Methods: Prospective nonrandomized cohort study of patients with VFPs undergoing microlaryngoscopy ("OR group") or KTP laser photoangiolysis ("KTP group"). Voice outcomes (patient-reported outcome measures [Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Singing VHI-10 (SVHI-10)], auditory-perceptual measures [Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V)], videostroboscopic characteristics [Voice-Vibratory Assessment of Laryngeal Imaging (VALI)], and acoustic and aerodynamic measures) were performed at baseline and regular intervals after intervention.

Applications of ChatGPT in Otolaryngology-Head Neck Surgery: A State of the Art Review.

Objective: To review the current literature on the application, accuracy, and performance of Chatbot Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Data Sources: PubMED, Cochrane Library, and Scopus.

Review Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature on the applications of ChatGPT in otolaryngology was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement.

Sociodemographic reporting in videomics research: a review of practices in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery.

Objective: To assess reporting practices of sociodemographic data in Upper Aerodigestive Tract (UAT) videomics research in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS).

Study Design: Narrative review.

Methods: Four online research databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles on videomics and UAT endoscopy in OHNS, published since January 1, 2017.

Elective Surgery Trends and Outcomes of Nonagenarians and Centenarians in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: A NSQIP Study.

Objective: To describe types and outcomes of elective otolaryngological surgeries undergone by patients ≥90 years of age and to assess whether very old age is an independent risk factor for postsurgical complications and death.

Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, a validated national prospective surgical outcomes database, was used to identify all patients aged 65 years and older who underwent elective otolaryngological procedures from 2011 to 2020. Study outcomes included minor complications, major life-threatening complications, and 30-day mortality.

Access to Otolaryngologic Telemedicine Care Across the COVID-19 Pandemic at an Urban Tertiary Hospital System.

To describe associations between patients' demographic characteristics and access to telemedicine services in an urban tertiary academic medical system across the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify potential barriers to access. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single-center tertiary academic medical center. The study included adult patients undergoing outpatient otolaryngologic care in person or via telemedicine during 8 week timeframes: before the pandemic, at the onset of the pandemic, and during later parts of the pandemic.

Design and Usability of an Open-Source, Low-Cost Flexible Laryngoscope for Resource-Limited Settings.

Importance: Endoscopes are paramount to the practice of otolaryngology. To provide physicians in low-middle-income countries with adequate tools to treat otolaryngologic problems, it is necessary to create a low-cost sustainable option.

Objective: To describe the design and usability of an open-source, low-cost flexible laryngoscope that addresses the lack of affordable and accessible methods for otolaryngologic visualization in resource-limited settings.

An introduction to machine learning and generative artificial intelligence for otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons: a narrative review.

Purpose: Despite the robust expansion of research surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) and their applications to medicine, these methodologies often remain opaque and inaccessible to many otolaryngologists. Especially, with the increasing ubiquity of large-language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT and their potential implementation in clinical practice, clinicians may benefit from a baseline understanding of some aspects of AI. In this narrative review, we seek to clarify underlying concepts, illustrate applications to otolaryngology, and highlight future directions and limitations of these tools.