Author/Authors :
Zacharia، Thomas نويسنده Speech Language Pathologist, Radiation Oncology Department, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Pumpwell, Mangalore, India , , RAO، P. SURESH C. نويسنده , , Hegde، Sanath Kumar نويسنده Radiation Oncology Department, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Pumpwell, Mangalore, Karnataka, India , , D’souza، Preema نويسنده Speech Language Pathologist, Radiation Oncology Department, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Pumpwell, Mangalore, India , , James، Judith نويسنده Speech Language Pathologist, Radiation Oncology Department, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Pumpwell, Mangalore, India , , Baliga، Manjeshwar Shrinath نويسنده Radiation Oncology Department, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Pumpwell, Mangalore, Karnataka, India ,
Abstract :
Background: Head and neck cancer severely affects the voice and compromises
a patient’s vocal independence. In the present study we have investigated the
difference in three vital components of the voice - pitch, jitter, and shimmer in head
and neck cancer patients and compared the findings with age matched healthy
volunteers.
Methods: Voice parameters were ascertained in newly diagnosed head and neck
cancer patients and controls using voice analysis software (PRAAT) and a Dynamic
Unidirectional AUD-59 XLR microphone in a sound proof voice recording laboratory.
Results: We observed considerable changes in the three voice indices of pitch,
jitter and shimmer. According to gender, there were significant changes in all three
indices for men (P < 0.015 to 0.0001), whereas only pitch significantly changed in
women (P=0.0001).
Conclusion: The results have suggested that individuals with any form of head
and neck cancer will have a degree of voice problems even before the initiation of
cancer treatments. Voice assessment is a vital aspect to be considered before initiation
of treatment.
