title: Acoustic analysis of oropharyngeal swallowing using Sonar Doppler.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the aging process, one of the functions that changes is swallowing. These alterations in oropharyngeal swallowing may be diagnosed by methods that allow both the diagnosis and biofeedback monitoring by the patient. One of the methods recently described in the literature for the evaluation of swallowing is the Sonar Doppler.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the acoustic parameters of oropharyngeal swallowing between different age groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a field, quantitative, study. Examination with Sonar Doppler was performed in 75 elderly and 72 non-elderly adult subjects. The following acoustic parameters were established: initial frequency, first peak frequency, second peak frequency; initial intensity, final intensity; and time for the swallowing of saliva, liquid, nectar, honey, and pudding, with 5- and 10-mL free drinks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Objective, measurable data were obtained; most acoustic parameters studied between adult and elderly groups with respect to consistency and volume were significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When comparing elderly with non-elderly adult subjects, there is a modification of the acoustic pattern of swallowing, regarding both consistency and food bolus volume.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade Assis Gurgacz, Cascavel, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: francisoria@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Franciele Savaris
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Soria
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (UNESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberta Gonçalves da
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Furkim
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D004301:Doppler Effect; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Avaliação; Deglutition; Deglutição; Elderly; Evaluation; Idoso