VOICE PROFILING IN YOUNGSTERS FOLLOWING CLUB PARTY

Abstract

Introduction. Club parties are becoming very common among youngsters at present days. They tend to shout, yell, scream and indulge in other vocally abusive behaviors beyond their vocal range and for a long period during club parties. Vocal abuse in presence of high background noise with poor vocal hygiene and various other environmental factors have a disastrous effect on one's voice. The present study aimed to show and correlate theObjective. effect of vocal abuse (during vocally demanding situations like club parties) on the perceptual and objective vocal features of youngsters. This study included a total of 20 youngsters with equal gender distribution, age range 18-23 years.Methodology. Pre-test and post-test research designs were applied. Perceptual scales such as GRBAS, Video laryngoscopic examination(otopront 1CCD), and Acoustic voice analysis (CSL-4500) were used for all the candidates. Appropriate statistic analysis was done for the values obtained to measure and compare pre and post-club-party effects on samples. TheResult. post-party effect represented vocal effects on the GRBAS scale, VLS examination, and acoustic values on CSL. However, changes that were more prominent and statistically signicant for Females (P<0.05- SPI, jitter, shimmer, APQ) may be due to laryngeal precipitating factors in female vocal cords. Changes in vocal margins were evident on VLS examination with are correlated with CSL. However, the non-signicance on a few parameters was also found, concluding that few parameters were less suspectable to the temporary effects on vocal function. Youngsters who shout very loudly during club partiesConclusion. have throat pain, hoarseness, and breathiness following the party in our present study. Females have more prominent changes as compared to boys may be due to boys having more hyaluronic acid which prevents vocal folds from scarring. However, any signicant changes are not reported in just one day of exposure but if such a situation persists it may lead to permanent change altering their vocal range. It is thought that attending club parties once in a while may not be altering vocal symptoms but youngsters must abstain from continuing such activities in the long run, to avoid permanent vocal pathologies. Meanwhile, youngsters should follow vocal hygiene to avoid such vocal conditions.