Volume 126, Issue 10 pp. 2305-2309

Laryngology

Effects of steam inhalation on voice quality-related acoustic measures

Shenbagavalli Mahalingam MASLP,

Shenbagavalli Mahalingam MASLP

Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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Prakash Boominathan PhD,

Corresponding Author

Prakash Boominathan PhD

[email protected]

Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Send correspondence to Prakash Boominathan, PhD, Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India- 600 116. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Shenbagavalli Mahalingam MASLP,

Shenbagavalli Mahalingam MASLP

Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Search for more papers by this author

Prakash Boominathan PhD,

Corresponding Author

Prakash Boominathan PhD

[email protected]

Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

First published: 12 March 2016

https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.25933

Citations: 22

Presented at the 46th Indian Speech and Hearing Association Conference, Kochi, Kerala, India, February 7–9, 2014.

The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the effects of steam inhalation using a facial steamer on voice quality-related acoustic measures.

Study Design

Prospective outcome research: single-blinded experimental study.

Methods

Forty-five vocally healthy female subjects ranging in age from 18 to 30 years (Mean age: 22.41 years; standard deviation [SD]: 8.91) participated in the study. Phonation samples were recorded under three different conditions in triplicate: baseline recording, immediately after mouth breathing (dehydration), and immediately after 3 minutes of steam inhalation via the mouth (rehydration).

Results

In the initial voice recording (prior to dehydration), mean jitter (0.42 %; SD: 0.07), shimmer (2.20 dB; SD: 0.45), and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) (21.60; SD: 2.41) values were within normal limits. After short-term mouth breathing (dehydration, approximately 10 minutes), the mean jitter (1.57 %; SD: 1.82) and shimmer (4.73 dB; SD: 1.83) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and HNR (18.64; SD: 3.16) was reduced (P < 0.05). After steam inhalation (rehydration) for 3 minutes, mean jitter (0.48 %; SD: 0.12) and shimmer (2.70 dB; SD: 0.71) showed significant decrease (P < 0.05), and HNR (20.10; SD: 3.69) showed significant increase (P < 0.05). All parameters statistically significantly improved from post dehydration values.

Conclusion

The simple procedure of steam inhalation using a facial steamer displayed positive effects on parameters proposed to reflect voice quality.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:2305–2309, 2016

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Volume126, Issue10

October 2016

Pages 2305-2309

Effects of steam inhalation on voice quality-related acoustic measures

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis

Study Design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of Evidence

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Effects of steam inhalation on voice quality-related acoustic measures

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis

Study Design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of Evidence

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information