Open AccessAcoustic Features of Voice in Patients with Snoring
Author(s) -
Guastini Luca,
Crippa Barbara,
Mora Francesco,
Salzano FrancescoAntonio,
Mora Renzo,
Santomauro Valentina
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a444
Subject(s) - audiology , medicine , jitter , computer science , telecommunications
Objective Determine whether the acoustic characteristics of snoring sounds differed between 30 simple male adult snorers (group A) and 30 healthy adult male subject (group B) by using a multidimensional voice program (MDVP), which is a commonly used computer program that analyzes various aspects of voice. Method Group A patients presented a Friedman tongue position grade I, tonsil size 2 to 3, a body mass index of 15. Phonetically balanced sentences and sustained vowels a, e, and i were digitally recorded with the MDVP; evaluation of voice handicap index (VHI) was done too. Results Compared with control group, in group A: the acoustic parameters presented a statistically significantly higher value ( P <. 05) of fundamental frequency (158.2 Hz vs 120.2 Hz), jitter (2.03 % vs 0.66 %), shimmer (6.54 % vs 3.77 %), NHR (0.24 vs 0.11), SPI (13.7 vs 8.71), DVB (2.23 % vs 0.12 %), DUV (9.31 % vs 0.54 %) and vAm (22.09 % vs 11.13 %), according to the degree of hearing loss; VHI had a mean value of 66 (vs 37 of group B). Conclusion The study indicates that snoring affects voice production by changing its acoustic parameters. A voice analysis program MDVP can be used for snoring sound analysis as a noninvasive procedure for examination of sleep‐related breathing disorders.