Vocal characteristics in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The aim of this study was to evaluate vocal changes in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nineteen children diagnosed to have ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria and 19 controls were enrolled in this study. They underwent vocal perceptual evaluation and acoustic analysis. Hoarseness, breathiness, strain, and loudness were graded on a scale of 0-3. The following acoustic parameters were recorded: Fundamental frequency, Shimmer, Relative average perturbation, Noise-to-Harmony ratio, Voice Turbulence Index, and Habitual pitch. Children with ADHD were perceived to have significantly more hoarseness, breathiness, and straining in their voice. They were also louder compared to controls. There were no significant changes in the acoustic parameters except for the Fundamental frequency, which was lower in the ADHD group. The vocal behavior in children with ADHD is different than controls. Early diagnosis of such behavior in this group of children is important.
Hamdan
Abdul-Latif
AL
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. alhamdan@svclb.com
Deeb
Reem
R
Sibai
Abla
A
Rameh
Charbel
C
Rifai
Hani
H
Fayyad
John
J
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014831:Voice; D014833:Voice Quality