Speech Breathing in Children with Vocal Nodules

Lee, Eun-Kyung; Choi, Hong-Shik; Sim, Hyun-Sub

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2002;7(3): 107-120.

Eun-Kyung Lee^` , Hong-Shik Choi^` , and Hyun-Sub Sim^`

이은경(Eun-Kyung Lee)| 최흥식(Hong-Shik Choi)| 심현섭(Hyun-Sub Sim)

ABSTRACT

Vocal nodules are a frequently occurring type of voice disorder in children. It is caused by continuous abuse and misuse of the laryngeal mechanism. An incomplete closure of the glottis due to the vocal nodules interferes with the efficient valving of airflow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in the frequency of inspiration during reading and maximum phonation time between children with vocal nodules and children without vocal nodules. In addition, the differences in the frequencies of inspiration during reading, maximum phonation time and mean airflow rate were evaluated according to the degree of dysphonic severity of children with vocal nodules. The assessments were completed for 27 children with vocal nodules and 25 children without vocal nodules. The results indicated that the frequency of inspiration during reading and that of maximum phonation time significantly differed between the 2 groups. The frequency of inspiration was higher and maximum phonation time was reduced for the children with vocal nodules. The frequency of inspiration and maximum phonation time significantly differed in accordance with the degrees of the dysphonic severity. The children with severe hoarseness showed a higher frequency of inspiration and reduced maximum phonation time. Mean airflow rate did not significantly differ in terms of different degrees of dysphonic severity, but it increased in proportion to the glottal gap. Incomplete closure of the glottis due to vocal nodules resulted in frequent inspiration and could interfere with the flow of speech.