Pediatric Normative Data for the KayPENTAX Phonatory Aerodynamic System Model 6600

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to (1) establish a preliminary pediatric normative database for the KayPENTAX Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS) Model 6600 (KayPENTAX Corp, Montvale, NJ) and (2) identify whether the data obtained were age- and/or gender-dependent. Prospective data collection across groups. A sample of 60 children (30 females and 30 males) with normal voices was divided into three age groups (6.0-9.11, 10.0-13.11, 14.0-17.11 years) with equal distribution of males and females within each group. Five PAS protocols (vital capacity, maximum sustained phonation, comfortable sustained phonation, variation in sound pressure level, voicing efficiency) were used to collect 45 phonatory aerodynamic measures. Measurements for the 45 PAS parameters examined revealed 13 parameters to have a difference that was statistically significant by age and/or gender. There was a significant age×gender interaction for mean pitch in the four protocols that reported this measure. Males in the oldest group had significantly lower mean pitch values than the middle and young groups. Statistically significant main effect differences were noted for seven parameters across three age groups (expiratory volume, expiratory airflow duration, phonation time, pitch range (in 2 protocols), aerodynamic resistance, acoustic ohms). Significant main effect differences for genders (males>females) were found for expiratory volume and peak expiratory airflow. The age- and gender-related differences found for some parameters within each of the five protocols are important for the interpretation of data obtained from PAS. These results could be explained by developmental changes that occur in the male and female respiratory and laryngeal systems.