PURPOSE: to describe maximum phonation time (MPT) and vocal acoustic characteristics for young adult women with vocal fold nodules. METHODS: collection of MPT of the vowels /a/, /i/ and /u/; s/z ratio and acoustic measures of the glottal source (Multi Dimensional Voice Program Advanced from Kay PENTAX) of 20 female subjects, aged between 20 and 40 year old, being ten with otorhinolaryngologic diagnosis of vocal fold nodules and ten with normal larynx diagnosis. RESULTS: regarding the MPT, the group with normal larynx (GNL) showed 90% of normal values and 10% reduced, while the group with nodules (GWN) showed 70% of normal values and 30% reduced; the s/z ratio showed results within normal patterns, for the whole GNL, while the GWN showed 70% of normal results and 30% increased; both the groups had all the vocal acoustic measures within normality range, except for the GNL which showed increased vf0. CONCLUSION: young women with vocal nodules showed MPT and s/z ratio measures with no significant differences in relation to the same measures for women with no laryngeal affection. The acoustic measures of glottal source were similar and within normal limits for both groups, except the quotient of variation of fundamental frequency (vf0) measure which was increased in GNL, suggesting pneumophonoarticulatory incoordination. The MPT and s/z ratio measures, even without significant differences, seemed to be more sensitive to the presence of aerodynamic prevalence of vocal nodules than the acoustic measures.
Voice; Voice Disorders; Vocal Cords; Health Evaluation
