title: To "EE" or not to "EE".
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether /i:/ ("ee") is the best sound to use during indirect laryngoscopy to produce the optimal view of the larynx.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  District general hospital otolaryngology outpatient clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-seven patients from a general otolaryngology clinic with no laryngeal or pharyngeal symptoms or pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The views obtained during indirect laryngoscopy and vocalization of /i:/ ("ee"), /ei/ ("ay"), /[see text]/ ("err"), /a:/ ("ah"), and /eă/ ("air") were graded according to a laryngoscopy grading system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The greatest number of adequate views of the larynx was achieved by using the sounds /i:/ and /[see text]/. There was no significant difference between /i:/ and /[see text]/ (p = .740), but there were significant differences between /i:/ and /ei/ (p = .019), /i:/ and /a:/ (p = .00000), and /i:/ and /eă/ (p = .00013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the optimal view of the larynx during indirect laryngoscopy, we recommend the use of the sounds /i:/ ("ee") and /[see text]/ ("err").
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, UK. mark@draperworld.com <mark@draperworld.com>
authors: Mark R
authors: MR
authors: Draper
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Blagnys
authors: Don J
authors: DJ
authors: Premachandra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013016:Sound