Abstract
The influence of thyroid gland dysfunction on voice is barely investigated, particularly the influence of hyperthyroidism. The aim of the study was to investigate the voices of 18 female subjects with hyperthyroidism (mean age 38.2 years) by means of objective voice analysis. The phonation of the vowel /a/ was acoustically analyzed by PRAAT computer program. Additionally, laryngeal and respiratory efficiency was examined by means of maximum phonation/friction time tests. Subjects were asked about subjective voice complaints. The differences in means of objective measurement variables between subjects reporting voice complaints and subjects without complaints were statistically analyzed by the method of t-tests for independent samples. The objective measurement findings showed laryngeal inefficiency and suggest possible laryngeal pathology and dysphonia, with low vocal fundamental frequency being the most remarkable characteristic. Half of the subjects reported subjective voice complaints. Lowered voice pitch and hoarseness were among the most frequent, and are in concordance with objective measurement findings. No significant difference was observed between the two samples of subjects on any objective measurement variable. In conclusion, hyperthyroidism does affect voice. Lowering of the voice pitch and reduced laryngeal efficiency are clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Highlights
Efficient vocalization requires the production of consistent voice quality throughout wide fundamental frequency and intensity ranges
The study confirmed that female subjects diagnosed with hyperthyroidism show alterations of acoustic parameters of voice in the direction of laryngeal dysfunction where finding of low fundamental frequency F0, that is deep voice, is the most remarkable and should be added to clinical features of hyperthyroidism
Subjective voice complaints were reported by half of the subjects of the study
Summary
Efficient vocalization requires the production of consistent voice quality throughout wide fundamental frequency and intensity ranges. The thyroid gland produces the thyroid hormone which controls a number of metabolic and physiologic processes, and regulates tissue metabolism and protein synthesis [2,3]. It plays a major role in voice production [4,5]. One may suspect that general weakness and fatigue reflect on laryngeal and respiratory musculature causing asthenic voice quality or other dysphonic feature, or vocal fatigue (phonasthenia). Respiratory-phonatory tests will be carried out as to exam respiratory and laryngeal efficiency
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