OBJECTIVES: Phonation into a tube is a widely used method for vocal training and therapy. Previous studies and practical experience show that the phonation becomes easier and louder after such an exercise. The purpose of this study was to find out whether there are systematic changes in the vocal fold adjustment after the exercise. METHODS: Two volunteer subjects (1 male and 1 female) without voice disorders were examined with computed tomography (CT). Both produced a sustained vowel [a:] at comfortable pitch and loudness before and after the tube phonation and a vowel-like phonation into the tube. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained before, during, and after the exercise, twice for each condition. The gathered CT images were used for measurements of vertical vocal fold thickness, bulkiness, length, and glottal width. RESULTS: No prominent trends common to both subjects were found in vocal fold adjustment during and after the phonation into the tube. Variability observed under the same conditions was usually of the same magnitude as the changes before and after the tube phonation. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in vocal tract configuration observed after the resonance tube exercises in previous related studies were more prominent than the changes in vocal fold configuration observed here.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fonace * MeSH
• hlasové řasy radiografie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
• zdraví dobrovolníci pro lékařské studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Phonation into a glass tube is a voice training and therapy method that leads to beneficial effects in voice production. It has not been known, however, what changes occur in the vocal tract during and after the phonation into a tube. This pilot study examined the vocal tract shape in a female subject before, during, and after phonation into a tube using computer tomography (CT). Three-dimensional finite-element models (FEMs) of the vocal tract were derived from the CT images and used to study changes in vocal tract input impedance. When phonating on vowel [a:] the data showed tightened velopharyngeal closure and enlarged cross-sectional areas of the oropharyngeal and oral cavities during and after the tube-phonation. FEM calculations revealed an increased input inertance of the vocal tract and an increased acoustic energy radiated out of the vocal tract after the tube-phonation. The results indicate that the phonation into a tube causes changes in the vocal tract which remain also when the tube is removed. These effects may help improving voice production in patients and voice professionals.

• MeSH
• akustika řeči MeSH
• analýza metodou konečných prvků MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• fonace MeSH
• hlasové řasy fyziologie   radiografie   MeSH
• kvalita hlasu MeSH
• larynx fyziologie   radiografie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
• rentgenový obraz - interpretace počítačová MeSH
• zobrazování trojrozměrné MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

• MeSH
• hlasové řasy fyziologie   radiografie   MeSH
• poruchy artikulace radiografie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• monografie MeSH

• Konspekt
• Fyziologie člověka a srovnávací fyziologie
• NLK Obory
• otorinolaryngologie
• fyziologie