The Experts below are selected from a list of 8367 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Ray M. Merrill - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The Quality of Life Burden Associated With Voice Disorders in Sjögren's Syndrome.
Annals of Otology Rhinology and Laryngology, 2015Co-Authors: Kristine Tanner, Ray M. Merrill, Jenny L. Pierce, Karla L. Miller, Katherine A. KendallAbstract:OBJECTIVES: This study examined quality of life burden of Voice Disorders in Sjogren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: Patients with SS (n = 101) completed interviews involving patient-reported histories of Voice Disorders, specific Voice symptoms, SS disease severity, the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL), and the general health-related quality of life Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires. Relationships among Voice symptoms, disease severity, and quality-of-life measures were examined and compared with patient-reported Voice Disorders. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed among Voice symptoms, disease severity, V-RQOL, SF-36, and patient-reported Voice Disorders (P < .05). Patients with SS who reported a Voice disorder experienced a greater burden on general quality of life as compared with those without Voice Disorders. Specific Voice symptoms significantly correlated with reduced SF-36 scores included frequent throat-clearing, throat soreness, difficulty projecting, and vocal discomfort. Despite the added burden of a Voice disorder on quality of life in SS, Voice-related treatment seeking was low (15.8%). However, the majority of patients who received Voice treatment reported Voice improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with SS frequently experience Voice Disorders and specific Voice-related symptoms that are associated with reduced quality of life. These findings have important implications for Voice referral practices and Voice disorder symptom management in this population.
-
quality of life indicators according to Voice Disorders and Voice related conditions
Laryngoscope, 2011Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Allison E Anderson, Arielle SloanAbstract:Objectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate the association between a history of Voice Disorders and Voice-related conditions and the short form–36 eight-scale measure of functional health and well-being as well as psychometrically based physical and mental health summary measures within a senior population. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey completed by 461 individuals aged 50 years and older, October 2010. Methods: The questionnaire included items on demographics, medical history, health, and Voice use and Disorders. Quality of life indicators were based on questions from the SF-36. Results: The prevalence of ever having had a Voice disorder was 17%. Hoarseness, esophageal reflux, frequent throat clearing, respiratory allergies, pneumonia, difficulty projecting the Voice, chronic dryness of the throat, bitter or acid taste, effort required to talk, stomach or duodenal ulcers, wobbly or shaky Voice, Voice discomfort, chronic throat soreness, and emphysema were significantly associated with participants indicating they had experienced a Voice disorder. The history of anxiety and depression was also significantly associated with a history of Voice-related conditions. Those with a history of Voice Disorders had significantly poorer health with respect to physical functioning, bodily pain, role limitations due to physical health problems, role limitations due to emotional problems, emotional well-being and social functioning, energy or fatigue, and general health perception. Conclusions: Voice Disorders stem from a variety of risk factors and biological mechanisms. Such Disorders may lead to poor physical and psychosocial functioning.
-
Epidemiology of Voice Disorders in the Elderly: Preliminary Findings
Laryngoscope, 2007Co-Authors: Joseph C. Stemple, Ray M. Merrill, Lisa B. ThomasAbstract:Objectives: Epidemiologic studies of the prevalence and risk factors of Voice Disorders in the elderly, nontreatment seeking population are nonexistent. The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to 1) estimate the prevalence of Voice Disorders, 2) identify variables associated with increased risk of Voice Disorders, and 3) measure the socioemotional impact of Voice Disorders on the elderly who live independently. Study Design: Prospective, cross-sectional survey. Methods: One hundred seventeen seniors (39 males and 78 females; mean age, 76.1 yr; SD, 8.5 yr; range, 65–94 yr), residing in Utah and Kentucky, were interviewed using a questionnaire that addressed three areas related to Voice Disorders: prevalence, potential risk factors, and socioemotional consequences/effects. Results: The lifetime prevalence of a Voice disorder was 47%, with 29.1% of participants reporting a current Voice disorder. The majority of respondents (60%) reported chronic Voice problems persisting for at least 4 weeks. Seniors who had experienced esophageal reflux, severe neck/back injury, and chronic pain were at increased risk. Voice-related effort and discomfort, combined with increased anxiety and frustration and the need to repeat oneself, were specific areas that adversely affected quality of life. Conclusions: This preliminary epidemiologic study confirmed that Voice Disorders are common among the elderly, and further research is needed to identify additional risk factors contributing to Voice disorder vulnerability.
-
Voice Disorders in the General Population: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Occupational Impact
Laryngoscope, 2005Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Steven D. Gray, Elaine M. SmithAbstract:Objectives: Epidemiologic studies of the prevalence and risk factors of Voice Disorders in the general adult population are rare. The purpose of this investigation was to 1) determine the prevalence of Voice Disorders, 2) identify variables associated with increased risk of Voice Disorders, and 3) establish the functional impact of Voice Disorders on the general population. Study Design: Cross-sectional telephone survey. Methods: A random sample (n = 1,326) of adults in Iowa and Utah was interviewed using a questionnaire that addressed three areas related to Voice Disorders: prevalence, potential risk factors, and occupational consequences/effects. Results: The lifetime prevalence of a Voice disorder was 29.9%, with 6.6% of participants reporting a current Voice disorder. Stepwise logistic regression identified specific factors that uniquely contributed to increased odds of reporting a chronic Voice disorder including sex (women), age (40–59 years), Voice use patterns and demands, esophageal reflux, chemical exposures, and frequent cold/sinus infections. However, tobacco or alcohol use did not independently increase the odds of reporting of a chronic Voice disorder. Voice Disorders adversely impacted job performance and attendance, with 4.3% of participants indicating that their Voice had limited or rendered them unable to do certain tasks in their current job. Furthermore, 7.2% of employed respondents reported that they were absent from work 1 or more days in the past year because of their Voice, and 2% reported more than 4 days of Voice-related absence. Conclusions: The results of this large epidemiologic study provide valuable information regarding the prevalence of Voice Disorders, factors that contribute to Voice disorder vulnerability, and the functional impact of Voice problems on the general population.
-
Voice Disorders in Teachers and the General Population
Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, 2004Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Steven D. Gray, Susan L. Thibeault, Elaine M. SmithAbstract:To examine the frequency and adverse effects of Voice Disorders on job performance and attendance in teachers and the general population, 2,401 participants from Iowa and Utah (n1=1,243 teachers an...
N R Williams - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
occupational groups at risk of Voice Disorders a review of the literature
Occupational Medicine, 2003Co-Authors: N R WilliamsAbstract:BACKGROUND: Occupational Voice health is becoming more important as more people rely on their Voices for their work. A number of studies have identified certain occupational groups at increased risk of developing occupational Voice Disorders, namely teachers, singers and aerobics instructors. Aim The paper aims to review the literature on occupational groups at risk of Voice Disorders and identify areas for future research. METHOD: A literature review of key databases using key words such as 'occupational', 'Voice health', 'Voice loss', 'dysphonia' and 'work related' was undertaken. RESULTS: The review identified case reports, studies of attendees at hospital Voice clinics and a few cross-sectional studies of occupational groups in the workplace. There were no longitudinal studies found or intervention studies looking at reduction of risk. CONCLUSION: Further research on occupational Voice Disorders needs to be based in the workplace, and to look at the risk factors for the development of Voice problems and for the efficacy of controls.
Elaine M. Smith - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Voice Disorders in the General Population: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Occupational Impact
Laryngoscope, 2005Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Steven D. Gray, Elaine M. SmithAbstract:Objectives: Epidemiologic studies of the prevalence and risk factors of Voice Disorders in the general adult population are rare. The purpose of this investigation was to 1) determine the prevalence of Voice Disorders, 2) identify variables associated with increased risk of Voice Disorders, and 3) establish the functional impact of Voice Disorders on the general population. Study Design: Cross-sectional telephone survey. Methods: A random sample (n = 1,326) of adults in Iowa and Utah was interviewed using a questionnaire that addressed three areas related to Voice Disorders: prevalence, potential risk factors, and occupational consequences/effects. Results: The lifetime prevalence of a Voice disorder was 29.9%, with 6.6% of participants reporting a current Voice disorder. Stepwise logistic regression identified specific factors that uniquely contributed to increased odds of reporting a chronic Voice disorder including sex (women), age (40–59 years), Voice use patterns and demands, esophageal reflux, chemical exposures, and frequent cold/sinus infections. However, tobacco or alcohol use did not independently increase the odds of reporting of a chronic Voice disorder. Voice Disorders adversely impacted job performance and attendance, with 4.3% of participants indicating that their Voice had limited or rendered them unable to do certain tasks in their current job. Furthermore, 7.2% of employed respondents reported that they were absent from work 1 or more days in the past year because of their Voice, and 2% reported more than 4 days of Voice-related absence. Conclusions: The results of this large epidemiologic study provide valuable information regarding the prevalence of Voice Disorders, factors that contribute to Voice disorder vulnerability, and the functional impact of Voice problems on the general population.
-
Voice Disorders in Teachers and the General Population
Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, 2004Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Steven D. Gray, Susan L. Thibeault, Elaine M. SmithAbstract:To examine the frequency and adverse effects of Voice Disorders on job performance and attendance in teachers and the general population, 2,401 participants from Iowa and Utah (n1=1,243 teachers an...
-
prevalence of Voice Disorders in teachers and the general population
Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, 2004Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Steven D. Gray, Susan L. Thibeault, Rahul Parsa, Elaine M. SmithAbstract:Over 3 million teachers in the United States use their Voice as a primary tool of trade and are thought to be at higher risk for occupation-related Voice Disorders than the general population. Howe...
Clark A. Rosen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
quantifying component parts of indirect and direct Voice therapy related to different Voice Disorders
Journal of Voice, 2013Co-Authors: Jackie Gartnerschmidt, Douglas F Roth, Thomas G Zullo, Clark A. RosenAbstract:Summary Voice therapy changes how people use and care for their Voices. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have a multitude of choices from which to modify patient's vocal behaviors. Six SLPs performed 1461 Voice therapy sessions and quantified the percentage of time spent in eight component parts of indirect and four component parts of direct Voice therapy across five common Voice Disorders. Voice therapy data collection forms were prospectively completed immediately following each therapy visit. The SLPs were free to choose the component parts of Voice therapy best suited for their respective patients. Results showed that direct Voice therapy represented more than 75% of the treatment time across all Voice therapy sessions. In the components of direct Voice therapy, there was no statistical difference between percentages of time spent in resonant Voice and flow phonation across all Voice Disorders. However, a significant difference was found for the time spent addressing transfer to conversational speech for muscle tension dysphonia, lesions, and scar than for vocal immobility and atrophy. Interestingly, while SLPs used a more common approach to direct Voice therapy across Voice Disorders, they tended to vary the use of indirect components of therapy across Voice Disorders with certain components being addressed in greater length for specific Voice Disorders. Collectively, these results indicate that although SLPs may individualize their approach to indirect Voice therapy, when it comes to direct Voice therapy, SLPs have a common approach to Voice therapy regardless of Voice disorder.
-
A Review of Outcome Measurements for Voice Disorders
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 2002Co-Authors: Norman D. Hogikyan, Clark A. RosenAbstract:There has been great interest in the medical and associated communities in the development and use of patient-based outcome measures such as quality-of-life and handicap indexes. This area of assessment of initial disability and response to subsequent treatment is especially applicable to the field of laryngology and Voice Disorders given the limitations of perceptual analysis and objective vocal function studies. In this review, we outline the development and importance of patient-based outcome measures in general, and their application for Voice Disorders specifically. In addition, several Voice-specific instruments are discussed in detail and provided. One of the primary goals of this review is to educate and facilitate the future use of these simple but important patient-based outcome instruments for otolaryngologists who care for patients with Voice Disorders.
-
Voice handicap index change following treatment of Voice Disorders.
Journal of Voice, 2000Co-Authors: Clark A. Rosen, Thomas G Zullo, Thomas Murry, Anna Zinn, Miriam SonbolianAbstract:Summary Outcome measurements of Voice Disorders is an important new area for both the evaluation of Voice-disordered patients and evaluation of treatment efficacy. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) measures the patient's perception of the impact of his or her Voice-disorder. The VHI was used in this study to measure the changes of the patient's perception following treatment for four different Voice Disorders. The VHI showed a significant change following treatment for unilateral vocal fold paralysis, vocal cyst/polyp, and muscle tension dysphonia. Results of this paper indicate that the VHI is a useful instrument to monitor the treatment efficacy for Voice Disorders.
-
NOMENCLATURE OF Voice Disorders AND VOCAL PATHOLOGY
Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 2000Co-Authors: Clark A. Rosen, Thomas MurryAbstract:: An improved nomenclature framework is crucial to improve communication regarding Voice problems and to advance the field of Voice Disorders. The subjective nature of the Voice evaluation process does not lend itself readily to uniformity and most Voice-disordered patients demonstrate multiple pathologic processes. In this article, the authors offer a broad-based nomenclature paradigm for the classification of Voice Disorders and vocal pathology. Four major categories of Voice Disorders are identified based on pathophysiology and auditory-perceptual and visual-perceptual observations. As the understanding of vocal fold biomechanics and pathophysiology evolves, it is expected that this nomenclature system will also increase in specificity.
Susanna Simberg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Voice Disorders and Impact of Voice Handicap in Norwegian Student Teachers.
Journal of Voice, 2018Co-Authors: Karen Ingrid Greve, Evie Kjellaas Bryn, Susanna SimbergAbstract:Summary Objectives The primary objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of Voice Disorders in students studying to become elementary school teachers and to investigate the presence of potential risk factors for Voice Disorders. The amount of Voice training offered during the students' education and the connection between Voice Disorders were also explored. Method A web-based questionnaire was distributed to all elementary school student teachers throughout Norway. In total, 968 answers were received. The questionnaire consisted of questions on background, education, and risk factors; the Norwegian translation of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30(N)); and Voice symptoms (Screen6). Results The results showed that 14.1% of the students had Voice Disorders, defined as experiencing two or more Voice symptoms weekly or more often in Screen6. The most common symptoms were throat clearing, followed by strained or tired Voice and sensation of pain or lump in the throat. The data showed a significant association between the scores of VHI-30(N) and results of Screen6. The amount of Voice training within teacher education was not found to significantly reduce Voice Disorders. Results showed no significant differences in prevalence of Voice Disorders between female and male students. Conclusions According to the answers given by the students participating in this study, Voice problems appear to be common in student teachers. As they are to embark on a Voice-demanding occupation, regular screening is paramount. More Voice training is needed than offered in their education.
-
Voice Disorders and Voice Knowledge in Choir Singers.
Journal of Voice, 2018Co-Authors: Sofie Ravall, Susanna SimbergAbstract:Summary Objectives Singers have reported higher prevalence of vocally harmful behaviors, vocal symptoms, and Voice Disorders than nonsingers have. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Voice Disorders among choir singers and to discover the risk factors associated with Voice Disorders. Another purpose was to explore the choir singers’ knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the Voice, and Voice ergonomics. Methods Three hundred and fifteen adult choir singers, 65% women, and 35% men, completed a web-questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic questions and questions about vocal symptoms, risk factors for Voice Disorders, and Voice knowledge. Results Twenty one percent of the participants experienced two or more frequently occurring vocal symptoms, which was defined as having a functional Voice disorder. Choir singers with a vocally demanding profession were almost twice as likely to report several frequently occurring vocal symptoms. Health-related risk factors, such as inhalant allergy and asthma, had a significant relation with the number of vocal symptoms. The overall Voice knowledge among the choir singers seemed limited. Conclusions The prevalence of Voice Disorders among choir singers seems to be similar to the prevalence rate among professional Voice users. Choir singers with a vocally demanding profession are at a higher risk of developing a functional Voice disorder. The results of this study raise the importance of educating choir singers about the Voice, in order to prevent development of Voice Disorders.
-
the prevalence of Voice Disorders among day care center teachers compared with nurses
Journal of Voice, 2001Co-Authors: Eeva Sala, Susanna Simberg, Anneli Laine, Jaana Pentti, Jouko SuonpaaAbstract:Abstract The acceptance of Voice Disorders by day care center teachers as an occupational disease is not an invariably established practice. This is due to the lack of reliable evidence of a higher risk for Voice Disorders in this profession. To find out the risk of Voice Disorders, an epidemiological study was conducted among day care center teachers ( n = 262), using hospital nurses ( n = 108) as a control group. Symptoms were charted by a questionnaire. In a clinical examination made by a laryngologist, the Voice quality was assessed and the laryngeal status noted. Teachers at day care centers had significantly more Voice Disorders than did nurses. Vocal nodules and laryngitis findings appeared significantly more frequently among day care center teachers than among those in the control group. The results prove Voice Disorders to be more frequent among day care center teachers than among control group subjects, and also that the main cause for this may be a higher vocal loading among day care center teachers than among control group subjects.
-
prevalence of Voice Disorders among future teachers
Journal of Voice, 2000Co-Authors: Susanna Simberg, Eeva Sala, Anneli Laine, Annamaija RonnemaaAbstract:Summary An epidemiological study was conducted in order to find out the prevalence of Voice Disorders among students studying to be teachers. Vocal symptoms were inquired of 226 students. Their Voices were assessed perceptually by a speech therapist and those who had abnormal Voice quality or reported several vocal symptoms were referred to a clinical examination by a laryngolgoist. The results showed that 20% of this population reported two or more vocal symptoms during the previous year and that 19% had an organic Voice disorder. This reinforces the need for clinical evaluation of students with vocal symptoms and more vocal training in the teacher education programs.
