title: Laryngoscopic and spectral analysis of laryngeal and pharyngeal configuration in non-classical singing styles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to assess three different singing styles (pop, rock, and jazz) with laryngoscopic, acoustic, and perceptual analysis in healthy singers at different loudness levels. Special emphasis was given to the degree of anterior-posterior (A-P) laryngeal compression, medial laryngeal compression, vertical laryngeal position (VLP), and pharyngeal compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve female trained singers with at least 5 years of voice training and absence of any voice pathology were included. Flexible and rigid laryngeal endoscopic examinations were performed. Voice recording was also carried out. Four blinded judges were asked to assess laryngoscopic and auditory perceptual variables using a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All laryngoscopic parameters showed significant differences for all singing styles. Rock showed the greatest degree for all of them. Overall A-P laryngeal compression scores demonstrated significantly higher values than overall medial compression and VLP. High loudness level produced the highest degree of A-P compression, medial compression, pharyngeal compression, and the lowest VLP for all singing styles. Additionally, rock demonstrated the highest values for alpha ratio (less steep spectral slope), L1-L0 ratio (more glottal adduction), and Leq (more vocal intensity). Statistically significant differences between the three loudness levels were also found for these acoustic parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rock singing seems to be the style with the highest degree of both laryngeal and pharyngeal activity in healthy singers. Although, supraglottic activity during singing could be labeled as hyperfunctional vocal behavior, it may not necessarily be harmful, but a strategy to avoid vocal fold damage.
authors.affiliation: School of Communication Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Department of Otolaryngology, Voice Center, Las Condes Clinic, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: mguzman@med.uchile.cl.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzman
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Voice Center, Las Condes Clinic, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanas
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Voice Center, University of Chile Hospital, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olavarria
authors.affiliation: School of Communication Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Maria Josefina
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Azocar
authors.affiliation: Department of Network Management, Barros Luco-Trudeau Hospital, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: School of Communication Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madrid
authors.affiliation: School of Communication Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monsalve
authors.affiliation: School of Communication Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: School of Communication Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Sindy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Voice Center, University of Chile Hospital, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cortez
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Ross M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mayerhoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001307:Auditory Perception; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000502:physiology*; D009146:Music; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D063346:Singing; D013061:Speech Acoustics
keywords: Laryngeal hyperfunction; Laryngoscopy; Nonclassical singers; Singing voice; Supraglottic activity