Transglottal airflow measures in continuous speech
and
syllable
repetition for subjects with vocal paralysis and normal subjects
Mean airflow values obtained during syllable repetition
and monologue speaking were compared in 27 subjects with laryngeal paralysis
and a control group of normal speaking adults matched for sex and age. The results showed no significant difference
in mean airflow between the syllable repetition and monologue tasks for the
normal group. However, mean airflow for
the paralysis group was significantly higher in syllable repetition compared to
monologue. An additional investigation
of mean subglottal driving pressure in the syllable repetition task showed that
the vocal paralysis group had elevated subglottal driving pressure relative to
the normal speaking group. An
experimentally adjusted mean airflow estimate for syllable repetition was
calculated for each disordered subject using their original observed laryngeal
airway resistance and subglottal driving pressure that was reduced to the mean
observed in the normally speaking group.
Statistical comparisons based on the newly created artificial airflow
data showed no difference in mean airflow between the syllable repetition and
monologue task. Implications of the results for increased control of the
syllable repetition task during clinical assessment will be discussed.