title: Validation and Evaluation of the Effects of Semi-Occluded Face Mask Straw Phonation Therapy Methods on Aerodynamic Parameters in Comparison to Traditional Methods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traditional semi-occluded vocal tract therapies have the benefit of improving vocal economy but, do not allow for connected speech during rehabilitation. In this study, we introduce a semi-occluded face mask (SOFM) as an improvement upon current methods. This novel technique allows for normal speech production, and will make the transition to everyday speech more natural. We hypothesize that use of an SOFM will lead to the same gains in vocal economy seen in traditional methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures excised canine larynx bench experiment with each larynx subject to controls and a randomized series of experimental conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aerodynamic data were collected for 30 excised canine larynges. The larynges were subjected to conditions including a control, two tube extensions (15 and 30 cm), and two tube diameters (6.5 and 17 mm) both with and without the SOFM. Results were compared between groups and between conditions within each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found between the phonation threshold pressure and phonation threshold flow measurements obtained with or without the SOFM throughout all extension and constriction levels. Significant differences in phonation threshold pressure and phonation threshold flow were observed when varying the tube diameter while the same comparison for varying the tube length at least trended toward significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that a SOFM can be used to elicit the same gains in vocal economy as what has been seen with traditional semi-occluded vocal tract methods. Future studies should test this novel technique in human subjects to validate its use in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Randal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Cameron
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Jehad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Al-Ramahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.. Electronic address: jjjiang@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Jack J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs; D004867:Equipment Design; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D010699:Phonation; D011312:Pressure; D014732:Vibration; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000502:physiology*; D014834:Voice Training
keywords: Excised larynx; Face mask; Phonation threshold flow; Phonation threshold pressure; Straw phonation therapy