Assessment of Phonatory Function by the Airway Interruption Method: Age-Related Changes
Presented at the 18th IFOS World Congress, Rome, Italy, June 25-30, 2005.
Objective
In order to ascertain age-related changes in phonatory function, an aerodynamic phonatory function test based on the airway interruption method was conducted.
Study design
Subjects were 142 men and 144 women aged between 20 and 79 years. No subjects demonstrated abnormalities of sound quality. The test was conducted using the Nagashima PS77E phonatory function analyzer. Subjects were instructed to phonate at the most comfortable pitch and intensity, and fundamental frequency (F0), sound pressure level (SPL), mean flow rate (MFR), expiratory lung pressure (EP), and airway resistance were determined.
Results
F0 was lower among women aged ≥50 years. EP was lower for women aged ≥70 years than for those in other age groups. For both genders, airway resistance was lower for those aged ≥70 years when compared to other age groups.
Conclusions
Among women, F0 was lower aged ≥50 years. In advanced age, EP and airway pressure decreased among women and airway resistance decreased among men.
EBM rating: C-4
Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
Reprint requests: Kiyoshi Makiyama, MD, PhD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Nihon University Surugadai Hospital, 1-8-13 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 101-8309 Japan
ABSTRACT