The effect of hearing loss on acoustic parameters of voice in children

Introduction: By means of normal hearing system and appropriate auditory feedback, we can control acoustic parameters of voice such as phonation, quality of voice, pitch and intensity. Materials and Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study was investigation and comparison of some acoustic parameters of voice including: mean of intensity range, frequency range, shimmer, and harmonic to noise ratio between 2 groups of children (17 hearing impaired and 17 normal children). These groups were matched with respect to age and sex. The mean of each parameters were calculated using collection of speech studio software and electrolaryngograph apparatus and were compared between two groups of children. Results: The mean of intensity range between two groups was not statistically different (P=0.462). The mean of frequency range between two groups was not statistically different either (P=0.277). The mean of Shimmer in children with hearing loss was higher than normal children (P=0.010). The mean of Harmonic to noise ratio (HNR) in children with hearing loss was lower than normal children (P=0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that most susceptible acoustic parameters of voice for improving by hearing aids and speech therapy services are frequency and intensity range. The higher mean of shimmer and lower mean of harmonic to noise ratio (HNR) in hearing impaired children in comparison with normal group is caused by excessive pressure that these children are bearing on the larynx and related structures

Effects of smoking cigarette on some acoustic voice parameters and elements of speech pattern of male subjects

Introduction: The harmful effects of smoking cigarette on body organs are well documented. There are more than 40 acoustic voice parameters and the effects of smoking cigarette on them are still studied. The aim of this study was to examine and compare some acoustic voice parameters between smoker and non smoker men. Material and Methods: In this cross–sectional study, some acoustic voice parameters including; fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, irregularity, contact quotient and elements of speech pattern were compared between 2 groups of men consisting of 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers. Each parameter was calculated using speech studio software and an electrolaryngograph. Results: The men’s voices differed on several parameters. The mean fundamental frequency in smokers was significantly lower (P<0.001) than this one in non-smokers. The mean jitter, shimmer and irregularity of men who smoke were significantly higher (P<0.001) than those mean in the men who did not. The mean silence among smokers was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that mean among nonsmokers. In contrast, the mean of voicing in the men who smoke was significantly lower (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to contact quotient, nasality, and friction. Conclusion: Fundamental frequency is the most vulnerable acoustic parameter of voice in smokers. The higher means for jitter shimmer and irregularity of voice in men who smoke is most likely related to epithelial changes in the vocal folds, inflammation caused by cigarette smoking, and the neurologic effects of nicotine and other chemical materials of cigarettes. It seems that the increased time of silence during connected speech of smokers is related to the defective quality of the closed phase of vocal cords movement

Internal evaluation of speech therapy department of Semnan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Using students' view for teacher evaluation is a common method. This study was designed to investigate the view of faculties and medical students about faculty teaching experiences. Materials and Methods: 100 medical students and 35 faculties from Jahrom University of Medical Sciences were participated in this study. Two separate questionnaires were designed for this purpose and after determining validity and reliability completed by teachers and students. Results: 70.9 percent of faculties reported that they are satisfied with evaluation by students. 48.6 percent of them reported that feedback from this evaluation improved their teaching. 48.8 percent of them thought that some students behave spitefully. 60 percent reported self assessments as a useful method for evaluation of their own teaching. The majority of medical students (76.6%) reported that teachers' communication skills are one of the important factors in teacher evaluation. 67.4 percent of them reported that they completed the teachers' evaluation forms carefully and 60.9 percent of them asserted that teachers, who take difficult examinations, have lower grades in evaluation forms. Conclusion: In general, most teachers are agreed with teacher evaluation. Since students' opinion about their teachers is influenced by some factors which have no close relationship with the evaluation subject and is merely related to other factors, using other evaluation methods such as self evaluation and peer evaluation seems to be necessary. In addition, we should establish a single national and standard method for teacher evaluation all over the country