title: Evaluation of vocal fold vibration with an assessment form for high-speed digital imaging: comparative study between healthy young and elderly subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a prospective study with a subjective assessment form for high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) to elucidate the features of vocal fold vibrations in vocally healthy subjects and to clarify gender- and age-related differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy adult volunteers participated in this study. They were divided into young (aged 35 and younger) and elderly (aged 65 and older) groups, and the scores of an assessment form for HSDI characteristics elaborated at our institution were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six young subjects (males: 9, females: 17; mean age: 27 years) and 20 elderly subjects (males: 8, females: 12; mean age: 72 years) were assigned to our study. Posterior gap and posterior-to-anterior longitudinal phase difference were characteristic to young females, whereas in young males, mucosal wave, anterior-to-posterior longitudinal phase difference, and supraglottic hyperactivity were frequent. In elderly males, axis shift, asymmetry, supraglottic hyperactivity, increased mucosal wave, lateral phase difference, and anterior-to-posterior longitudinal phase difference were frequent; and in elderly females, high incidence of lateral phase difference, atrophic change, anterior gap, and asymmetry were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that the behaviors of vocal fold vibrations were diverse even in healthy subjects with no vocal complaints or history of laryngeal diseases, and hence, the diversity of vocal fold vibrations in normal subjects must be taken into account in evaluating vocal fold vibrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. drachilles23@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imagawa
authors.forename: Hisayuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yokonishi
authors.forename: Takaharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nito
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamasoba
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Ken-Ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakakibara
authors.forename: Niro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tayama
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010507:Periodicity; D010699:Phonation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013997:Time Factors; D014732:Vibration; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000502:physiology*; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult