Abstract

BackgroundObjective acoustic analysis is a key component of multidimensional voice assessment. OperaVOX is an iOS app which has been shown to be comparable to Multi Dimensional Voice Program for most principal measures of vocal function. As a relatively cheap, portable and easily accessible form of acoustic analysis, OperaVOX may be more clinically useful than laboratory-based software in many situations. This study aims to determine whether correlation exists between acoustic measurements obtained using OperaVOX, and perceptual evaluation of voice.MethodsForty-four voices from the multidisciplinary voice clinic were examined. Each voice was assessed blindly by a single experienced voice therapist using the GRBAS scale, and analysed using OperaVOX. The Spearman rank correlation co-efficient was calculated between each element of the GRBAS scale and acoustic measurements obtained by OperaVOX.ResultsSignificant correlations were identified between GRBAS scores and OperaVOX parameters. Grade correlated significantly with jitter (ρ = 0.495, p < 0.05), shimmer (ρ = 0.385, p < 0.05), noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR; ρ = 0.526, p < 0.05) and maximum phonation time (MPT; ρ = −0.415, p < 0.05). Roughness did not correlate with any of the measured variables. Breathiness correlated significantly with jitter (ρ = 0.342, p < 0.05), NHR (ρ = 0.344, p < 0.05) and MPT (ρ = −0.336, p < 0.05). Aesthenia correlated with NHR (ρ = 0.413, p < 0.05) and MPT (ρ = −0.399, p < 0.05). Strain correlated with Jitter (ρ = 0.560, p < 0.05), NHR (ρ = 0.600, p < 0.05) and MPT (ρ = −0.356, p < 0.05).ConclusionsOperaVOX provides objective acoustic analysis which has shown statistically significant correlation to perceptual evaluation using the GRBAS scale. The accessibility of the software package makes it possible for a wide range of health practitioners, e.g. general ENT surgeons, vascular surgeons, thyroid surgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons to objectively monitor outcomes and complications of surgical procedures that may affect vocal function. Given the increasing requirement for surgeons to monitor their outcomes as part of the move towards ‘surgeon reported outcomes’ this may become an invaluable tool towards that goal.

Highlights

  • Objective acoustic analysis is a key component of multidimensional voice assessment

  • Significant correlations were identified between OperaVOX parameters and GRBAS (Table 2)

  • These results describe the relationship between objective acoustic measurements taken using OperaVOX and perceptual evaluation of voice quality using the GRBAS scale

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Summary

Introduction

OperaVOX is an iOS app which has been shown to be comparable to Multi Dimensional Voice Program for most principal measures of vocal function. There is general agreement that assessment of voice should be multidimensional – both perceptual measures and acoustic analyses must be considered, in addition to videostroboscopy and subjective rating by the patient [1]. The Multi Dimensional Voice Programme acoustic analysis system (MDVP, KayPentax, USA) is a voice analysis software package widely used in voice clinics and in published voice research. OperaVOX (On PErson RApid VOice eXaminer, Oxford Research Wave Ltd, UK) is a portable voice analysis software package designed for use with iOS devices such as iPod touch, iPhone and iPad (Apple, USA). OperaVOX has been shown to be reliable and comparable to MDVP for most principal measures of vocal function, with the exception of noise-to-harmonics ratio [2]

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