title: Acoustic, perceptual and aerodynamic voice evaluation in an obese population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic voice parameters in obese individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty obese and 20 normal-weight volunteers underwent voice evaluation by laryngoscopy, acoustic analysis, aerodynamic measurement and perceptual analysis (using the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain ('GRBAS') scale and the Voice Handicap Index 10 scale). Data from both subject groups were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was found in acoustic analysis parameters between the two groups (p > 0.05). Maximum phonation time in the obese group (mean ± standard deviation, 19.6 ± 4.9 seconds) was significantly shorter than in controls (26.4 ± 4.1 seconds) (p < 0.001), although the s/z ratio was very similar between the two groups. In the obese and control groups, the mean ± standard deviation grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scores were 1 ± 1.3 and 0.2 ± 0.6 (p = 0.002) and the mean ± standard deviation Voice Handicap Index 10 scores were 0.5 ± 1.2 and 1.2 ± 1.7 (p = 0.27), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese individuals had poorer vocal quality as judged by the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scale, and reduced maximum phonation time. However, there was no change in voice quality as assessed by acoustic analysis and Vocal Handicap Index 10 score, compared with controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Celebi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yelken
authors.forename: O N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Develioglu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Topak
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Ipek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kulekci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000502:physiology*