title: Laryngeal Desiccation Challenge and Nebulized Isotonic Saline in Healthy Male Singers and Nonsingers: Effects on Acoustic, Aerodynamic, and Self-Perceived Effort and Dryness Measures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of a laryngeal desiccation challenge and nebulized isotonic saline on voice production in young, healthy male singers and nonsingers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective, double-blind, within-subjects experimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 10 male university-trained singers and 10 age-matched nonsingers (mean age, 21.8 years; range, 18-26 years) who underwent a 30-minute oral breathing laryngeal desiccation challenge using medical grade dry air (<1% relative humidity) on two occasions in consecutive weeks. After the challenge, participants received either 3 mL or 9 mL of nebulized isotonic saline (0.9% Na+Cl-); order of administration was counterbalanced. Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), the cepstral spectral index of dysphonia (CSID) for sustained vowels and connected speech, and self-perceived vocal effort, mouth dryness, and throat dryness were measured at each recording (baseline, after challenge, and at 5, 35, and 65 minutes after treatment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-perceived effort and dryness measures increased (worsened) after desiccation challenge and decreased (improved) after nebulized treatment (P < 0.05). No consistent changes were observed for PTP or CSID over time. Overall, singers demonstrated significantly lower vocal effort and CSID as compared with nonsingers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young, vocally healthy men may not experience physiologic changes in voice production associated with laryngeal desiccation and nebulized saline treatments; however, self-reported increases in vocal effort which are associated with dryness symptoms might improve with nebulized treatments. Future hydration research should consider age and sex variables.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Electronic address: kristine_tanner@byu.edu.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Fujiki
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dromey
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
authors.forename: Ray M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
authors.forename: Whitney
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.affiliation: School of Music, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
authors.forename: J Arden
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hopkin
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
authors.forename: Ron W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Channell
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
authors.forename: M Preeti
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sivasankar
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D007830:Larynx / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010699:Phonation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D063346:Singing; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013067:Speech Perception; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride
keywords: CSID; Laryngeal desiccation; Nebulized saline; PTP; Singer; Vocal fold hydration