Aerodynamic analyses of vocal function

Question 1

Which of the following is the most accurate definition of vital capacity?

Answer 1

the maximum quantity of air exhaled after a maximum inhalation

Question 2

In the US, aerodynamic analyses are often performed along with acoustic analyses as a procedure known as….

Answer 2

Laryngeal function studies

Question 3

Which of the following is the correct expression of Ohm’s law?

Answer 3

U= P/R

Question 4

In which of the following populations would we expect the largest measures of vital capacity?

Answer 4

Young adult males

Question 5

Although measures of vital capacity can vary based on factors including sex, height, and age, in a typical healthy young adult we would expect measures of vital capacity to be within what range?

Answer 5

3-5 liters

Question 6

Which of the following is an accurate definition of subglottal pressure (Ps)?

Answer 6

The air pressure immediately below the glottis that acts as a force distributed over the inferior surface of the vocal folds.

Question 7

If a patient was diagnosed with glottal incompetency due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis and which also causes a moderate-to-severe breathy voice quality, which of the following would you predict to be the measurement of their subglottal pressure?

Answer 7

15 cm H2O (too much air- higher number)

Question 8

If a patient was diagnosed with MTD which also causes a moderate-to-severe rough and strained voice quality, which of the following would you predict to be the measurement of their subglottal pressure (Ps)?

Answer 8

15 cm H20

Question 9

When measuring phonation threshold pressure (PtP), what prompt is given to the patient to ensure you are measuring the threshold of phonation pressure and not pressure during some other behavior?

Answer 9

Produce sound as soft as possible without whispering.

Question 10

Which of the following is an accurate description of a pneumotach?

Answer 10

A device which allows for measurement of the drop in air pressure at the point of resistance to airflow.

Question 11

VC/MPT is the formula for which aerodynamic measurement?

Answer 11

phonation quotient

Question 12

Which of the following statements would be most likely in a clinical context?

Answer 12

A patient with unilateral VF paralysis exhibits greater transglottal airflow than a normal speaker

Question 13

Measurements of transglottal airflow are usually measured from what productions of what stimuli?

Answer 13

/pa/ or /pi/

Question 14

In a healthy, nondysphonic speaker you would expect measure of transglottal airflow rate to be between what levels when producing speech at comfortable pitch and loudness?

Answer 14

200-400 mL/s

Question 15

Which of the following would be a transglottal airflow measurement most likely associated with vocal fold bowing secondary to PD causing a moderate-to-severe breathy voice quality with reduced loudness?

Answer 15

300 mL/s

Question 16

Which of the following maximum phonation time (MPT) would you expect from a normal, healthy 30-year-old man?

Answer 16

20 seconds

Question 17

Which of the following s/z ratio measurement would you expect from an individual with unilateral VF paralysis causing significant glottal insufficiency and a severely breathy voice quality?

Answer 17

1.85

Question 18

A healthy, nondysphonic, 10-year-old child would be expected to prolong a vowel for at least what amount of time?

Answer 18

10 seconds

Question 19

Which of the following phonation quotient measures would you expect in a patient with significant bowing and glottal insufficiency secondary to presbylaryngis?

Answer 19

250 mL/s

Question 20

Which of the following can influence measurements of subglottal pressure and transglottal airflow?

Answer 20

vocal intensity, fundamental frequency, vocal fold lesions, and the presence of vocal hyperfunction

Question 21

What may cause UVFP (and associated breathy or harsh voice quality) in patients following coronary surgery?

Answer 21

recurrent laryngeal nerve damage

Question 22

T/F: Hyperfunction would indicate an increase in air (e.g., breathy).

Answer 22

False; decrease in air expected in hyperfunction

Question 23

Vital capacity (VC) can be measured through ______________.

Answer 23

spirometry

Question 24

What is a low-tech measure of subglottal pressure?

Answer 24

cup with water, straw, and ruler to measure level (cm) patient can produce bubbles for a sustained amount of time

**normal speaker= 5 cm H20 for 5 secs

Question 25

T/F: During expiration, the volume of air in the lungs decreases.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

“Boyle’s Law” describes lung volume decreasing during expiration, and an increase in lung pressure; air will then ________________________.

Answer 26

move from the lungs toward the mouth

Question 27

T/F: Pneumotach (masks) measure subglottal pressure.

Answer 27

False; they measure transglottal airflow

Question 28

Phonatory efficiency can be measured using a _____ ratio.

Answer 28

S/Z ratio

Question 29

T/F: A normal S/Z ratio for non-dysphonic speakers is 1.4 secs.

Answer 29

True