Objective evaluation of dysphonia: Preliminary results of a device allowing simultaneous acoustic and aerodynamic measurements

Voice quality analysis was performed in 88 normal speakers and 157 dysphonic speakers using a device that allows simultaneous study of acoustic and aerodynamic parameters during pronunciation of a sustained /a/. We compared the results with those of voice quality grading by a jury. The Mann-Whitney test showed significant differences between the grades of dysphonia for all the parameters chosen. Comparison of results (using discriminant factorial analysis) with perceptual evaluation by a jury showed concordance in 66.1%. Based on these preliminary results, the authors conclude that their protocol overlooks some relevant voice parameters like middle-term variations. Further study will be undertaken to take into account this type of variations.