Abstract
BackgroundObese people have abnormal deposition of fat in the vocal tract that can interfere with the acoustic voice.AimTo relate the fundamental frequency, the maximum phonation time and voice complaints from a group of morbidly obese women.MethodsObservational, cross-sectional and descriptive study that included 44 morbidly obese women, mean age of 42.45 (±10.31) years old, observational group and 30 women without obesity, control group, with 33.79 (±4.51)years old. The voice recording was done in a quiet environment, on a laptop using the program ANAGRAF acoustic analysis of speech sounds. To extract the values of fundamental frequency the subjects were asked to produce vowel [a] at usual intensity for a period in average of three seconds. After the voice recording, participants were prompted to produce sustained vowel [ a] , [ i] and [ u] at usual intensity and height, using a stopwatch to measure the time that each participant could hold each vowel.ResultsThe majority, 31(70.5%), had vocal complaints, with a higher percentage for complaints of vocal fatigue 20(64.51%) and voice failures 19(61.29%) followed by dryness of the throat in 15 (48.38%) and effort to speak 13(41.93%). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the mean fundamental frequency of the voice in both groups, but there was significance between the two groups regarding maximum phonation.ConclusionIncreased adipose tissue in the vocal tract interfered in the vocal parameters.
Highlights
Balanced voice is characterized by several factors ranging from anatomy and physiology of laryngeal structures to vocal tract adjustments used during voice production
The correlation between body shape and fundamental frequency seems plausible in some cases, considering the larynx is the hormonal targ et . 4,56,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18 studies show that weight and body shape of male and female adults are negatively correlated with fundamental frequency[7]
Studies were conducted[11] with 25 subjects of each gender and determined that maximum phonation times below 10 seconds are considered pathologic. They suggest that this is due to the glottal control or ineffective respiratory functioning. It was proposed the following research questions, which this study aims: 1) could the accumulation of adipose tissue as a result of morbid obesity cause acoustic variations in the voice of these subjects, as there is a change in the space of the vocal tract?; 2) could the offset effort of upper or lower regions in relation to increased tissue regions – such as the laryngopharyngeal region – cause changes no MPT?
Summary
Balanced voice is characterized by several factors ranging from anatomy and physiology of laryngeal structures to vocal tract adjustments used during voice production. Fundamental frequency is one of the major acoustic components of the voice and is determined by the vibration of the vocal folds, which act as a source for the production of sound and information about the physical attributes of the speaker Such attributes include gender, age, state of mind, hormonal competence and body size of the speaker[10,11,12]. Authors[1] report that, due to the fat accumulated in the rhinopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and larynx regions, a geometric narrowing of the upper airway happens (extrathoracic trachea, larynx, pharynx and nose) This change causes a reduction in the functioning and sensitivity of respiratory chemoreceptors, which is offset by the hyperactivity of pharyngeal dilator muscles. The respiratory support impacts the measurement of maximum phonation time (MPT) This evaluation is used in speech therapy clinics to check vocal efficiency and allows for qualitative and quantitative observation of sound. They suggest that this is due to the glottal control or ineffective respiratory functioning
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