Comparison of Two Multiparameter Acoustic Indices of Dysphonia Severity: The Acoustic Voice Quality Index and Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia

Publication date: Available online 21 July 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Jeong Min Lee, Nelson Roy, Elizabeth Peterson, Ray M. Merrill
ObjectivesThe Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) and the Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia (CSID) are two multiparameter acoustic indices designed to objectively estimate dysphonia severity and track treatment outcomes. This study compared the performance of these two indices using a common corpus of dysphonic speakers.MethodPre- and posttreatment samples of sustained vowel and connected speech were elicited from 112 patients across six diagnostic categories: unilateral vocal fold paralysis (n = 12), adductor spasmodic dysphonia (n = 12), primary muscle tension dysphonia (n = 12), benign vocal fold lesions (n = 12), presbylaryngis (n = 12), and mutational falsetto (n = 12). Listener ratings of dysphonia severity were compared to acoustic estimates of severity derived from two iterations of the AVQI (versions 2.02 and 3.01) as well as the CSID.ResultsThe AVQI- and CSID-estimated severity for sustained vowels, connected speech, and a combined context were strongly correlated and significantly associated with listener ratings pretreatment, posttreatment, and change observed pre- to posttreatment. However, multiple regression analysis (adjusted for age, sex, and diagnostic category) revealed that the CSID generally accounted for more variance in listener-perceived severity ratings, and the contribution of the AVQI was small and statistically insignificant when the CSID was already in a combined model.ConclusionsThe AVQI and the CSID were strongly correlated and both provided valid estimates of dysphonia severity. However, associations observed between the CSID- and listener-estimated dysphonia were almost uniformly stronger than either version of the AVQI, suggesting that the CSID outperformed the AVQI.



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An Atoh1-S193A phospho-mutant allele causes hearing deficits and motor impairment.

Related Articles

An Atoh1-S193A phospho-mutant allele causes hearing deficits and motor impairment.

J Neurosci. 2017 Jul 20;:

Authors: Rose Xie W, Jen HI, Seymour ML, Yeh SY, Pereira FA, Groves AK, Klisch TJ, Zoghbi HY

Abstract
Atoh1 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that is essential for the genesis, survival, and maturation of a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal cell populations, including those involved in proprioception, interoception, balance, respiration, and hearing. Such diverse functions require fine regulation at the transcriptional and protein levels. Here we show that serine 193 (S193) is phosphorylated in Atoh1's bHLH domain in vivo Knock-in mice of both sexes bearing a GFP-tagged phospho-dead S193A allele on a null background (Atoh1(S193A/lacZ) ) exhibit mild cerebellar foliation defects, motor impairments, and also partial pontine nucleus migration defects, cochlear hair cell degeneration, and profound hearing loss. We also found that Atoh1 heterozygous mice of both sexes (Atoh1(lacZ/+) ) have adult-onset deafness. These data indicate that different cell types have different degrees of vulnerability to loss of Atoh1 function, and that hypomorphic Atoh1 alleles should be considered in human hearing loss.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe discovery that Atoh1 governs the development of the sensory hair cells in the inner ear led to therapeutic efforts to restore these cells in cases of human deafness. Because prior studies of Atoh1-heterozygous mice did not examine nor report on hearing loss in mature animals, it has not been clinical practice to sequence ATOH1 in people with deafness. Here, in seeking to understand how phosphorylation of Atoh1 modulates its effects in vivo, we discovered that inner ear hair cells are much more vulnerable to loss of Atoh1 function than other Atoh1-positive cell types, and that heterozygous mice actually develop hearing loss late in life. This opens up the possibility that missense mutations in ATOH1 could increase human vulnerability to loss of hair cells because of aging or trauma.

PMID: 28729444 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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An Atoh1-S193A phospho-mutant allele causes hearing deficits and motor impairment.

Related Articles

An Atoh1-S193A phospho-mutant allele causes hearing deficits and motor impairment.

J Neurosci. 2017 Jul 20;:

Authors: Rose Xie W, Jen HI, Seymour ML, Yeh SY, Pereira FA, Groves AK, Klisch TJ, Zoghbi HY

Abstract
Atoh1 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that is essential for the genesis, survival, and maturation of a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal cell populations, including those involved in proprioception, interoception, balance, respiration, and hearing. Such diverse functions require fine regulation at the transcriptional and protein levels. Here we show that serine 193 (S193) is phosphorylated in Atoh1's bHLH domain in vivo Knock-in mice of both sexes bearing a GFP-tagged phospho-dead S193A allele on a null background (Atoh1(S193A/lacZ) ) exhibit mild cerebellar foliation defects, motor impairments, and also partial pontine nucleus migration defects, cochlear hair cell degeneration, and profound hearing loss. We also found that Atoh1 heterozygous mice of both sexes (Atoh1(lacZ/+) ) have adult-onset deafness. These data indicate that different cell types have different degrees of vulnerability to loss of Atoh1 function, and that hypomorphic Atoh1 alleles should be considered in human hearing loss.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe discovery that Atoh1 governs the development of the sensory hair cells in the inner ear led to therapeutic efforts to restore these cells in cases of human deafness. Because prior studies of Atoh1-heterozygous mice did not examine nor report on hearing loss in mature animals, it has not been clinical practice to sequence ATOH1 in people with deafness. Here, in seeking to understand how phosphorylation of Atoh1 modulates its effects in vivo, we discovered that inner ear hair cells are much more vulnerable to loss of Atoh1 function than other Atoh1-positive cell types, and that heterozygous mice actually develop hearing loss late in life. This opens up the possibility that missense mutations in ATOH1 could increase human vulnerability to loss of hair cells because of aging or trauma.

PMID: 28729444 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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A homozygous MYO7A mutation associated to Usher syndrome and unilateral auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

A homozygous MYO7A mutation associated to Usher syndrome and unilateral auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

Mol Med Rep. 2017 Jul 21;:

Authors: Xia H, Hu P, Yuan L, Xiong W, Xu H, Yi J, Yang Z, Deng X, Guo Y, Deng H

Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, progressive visual loss and night blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), with or without vestibular dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to detect the causative gene in a consanguineous Chinese family with USH. A c.3696_3706del (p.R1232Sfs*72) variant in the myosin VIIa gene (MYO7A) was identified in the homozygous state by exome sequencing. The co‑segregation of the MYO7A c.3696_3706del variant with the phenotype of deafness and progressive visual loss in the USH family was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The variant was absent in 200 healthy controls. Therefore, the c.3696_3706del variant may disrupt the interaction between myosin VIIa and other USH1 proteins, and impair melanosome transport in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Notably, bilateral auditory brainstem responses were absent in two patients of the USH family, while distortion product otoacoustic emissions were elicited in the right ears of the two patients, consistent with clinical diagnosis of unilateral auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. These data suggested that the homozygous c.3696_3706del variant in the MYO7A gene may be the disease‑causing mutation for the disorder in this family. These findings broaden the phenotype spectrum of the MYO7A gene, and may facilitate understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease, and genetic counseling for the family.

PMID: 28731162 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Tele-intervention for children with hearing loss: A comparative pilot study.

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Tele-intervention for children with hearing loss: A comparative pilot study.

J Telemed Telecare. 2017 Jan;23(1):116-125

Authors: Havenga E, Swanepoel W, le Roux T, Schmid B

Abstract
Introduction This pilot study compared tele-intervention to conventional intervention for children with hearing loss in terms of communication performance, parental perceptions and clinician perceptions. Methods A within-subject design was employed, including 10 children with hearing loss and their parents who each received a structurally similar tele-intervention and conventional intervention session in a counterbalanced manner. Quality of communication performance was analysed using a modified Tait video analysis method. Parent and clinician perceptions were collected through rating-scale surveys and thematic analysis of qualitative responses. Results No significant difference ( p > 0.05) was found between tele-intervention and conventional intervention in terms of communication performance of children. Parent perceptions were not significantly different ( p > 0.05) between conventional and tele-intervention in terms of facilitating meaningful communication interaction. Significant differences were evident for parents' comfort level during the session, whether they found it to be a beneficial experience and whether they would like to continue receiving intervention through this method.  Clinician perceptions of conventional and tele-intervention were not significantly different ( p > 0.05) and tele-intervention was deemed a valuable method of service delivery for clients. Discussion This study provides preliminary evidence that tele-intervention is effective for communication intervention and can be a valuable solution to typical barriers such as distance and the shortage of trained interventionists.

PMID: 26670208 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

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Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jul 20;:1-6

Authors: Schmitt NC, Page BR

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Review of the literature regarding hearing loss in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation.
DESIGN: Studies in the literature are reviewed that pertain to hearing loss sustained in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemoradiation. Personal observations noted while treating these patients are also detailed.
STUDY SAMPLE: PubMed was searched for pertinent articles regarding hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy and/or radiation.
RESULTS: Studies on the incidence and severity of hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients are limited, but those studies suggest that the risk of hearing loss is greater with higher-dose regimens.
CONCLUSIONS: Newer cisplatin chemotherapy regimens using lower, weekly doses may be associated with a lower incidence and severity of hearing loss; however, large prospective studies are needed. Such information will be paramount to effective pre-treatment counselling of head and neck cancer patients.

PMID: 28728452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

Related Articles

Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jul 20;:1-6

Authors: Schmitt NC, Page BR

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Review of the literature regarding hearing loss in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation.
DESIGN: Studies in the literature are reviewed that pertain to hearing loss sustained in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemoradiation. Personal observations noted while treating these patients are also detailed.
STUDY SAMPLE: PubMed was searched for pertinent articles regarding hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy and/or radiation.
RESULTS: Studies on the incidence and severity of hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients are limited, but those studies suggest that the risk of hearing loss is greater with higher-dose regimens.
CONCLUSIONS: Newer cisplatin chemotherapy regimens using lower, weekly doses may be associated with a lower incidence and severity of hearing loss; however, large prospective studies are needed. Such information will be paramount to effective pre-treatment counselling of head and neck cancer patients.

PMID: 28728452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

Related Articles

Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jul 20;:1-6

Authors: Schmitt NC, Page BR

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Review of the literature regarding hearing loss in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation.
DESIGN: Studies in the literature are reviewed that pertain to hearing loss sustained in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemoradiation. Personal observations noted while treating these patients are also detailed.
STUDY SAMPLE: PubMed was searched for pertinent articles regarding hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy and/or radiation.
RESULTS: Studies on the incidence and severity of hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients are limited, but those studies suggest that the risk of hearing loss is greater with higher-dose regimens.
CONCLUSIONS: Newer cisplatin chemotherapy regimens using lower, weekly doses may be associated with a lower incidence and severity of hearing loss; however, large prospective studies are needed. Such information will be paramount to effective pre-treatment counselling of head and neck cancer patients.

PMID: 28728452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

Related Articles

Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jul 20;:1-6

Authors: Schmitt NC, Page BR

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Review of the literature regarding hearing loss in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation.
DESIGN: Studies in the literature are reviewed that pertain to hearing loss sustained in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemoradiation. Personal observations noted while treating these patients are also detailed.
STUDY SAMPLE: PubMed was searched for pertinent articles regarding hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy and/or radiation.
RESULTS: Studies on the incidence and severity of hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients are limited, but those studies suggest that the risk of hearing loss is greater with higher-dose regimens.
CONCLUSIONS: Newer cisplatin chemotherapy regimens using lower, weekly doses may be associated with a lower incidence and severity of hearing loss; however, large prospective studies are needed. Such information will be paramount to effective pre-treatment counselling of head and neck cancer patients.

PMID: 28728452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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