Voice Disorder

A healthy voice is essential for meeting professional and communicative demands, particularly for professional voice users such as academics, who are at increased risk of voice disorders due to prolonged and intensive voice use, unfavorable acoustic conditions, and stress. Voice disorders often result from inadequate respiratory support, leading to compensatory laryngeal overuse, vocal fatigue, and deterioration in voice quality. Although traditional voice therapy emphasizes diaphragmatic breathing, it does not enhance respiratory capacity because it lacks resistance. This study aims to investigate the effects of resistance-based breathing exercises using the Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer (EMST 150) and triflo devices on respiratory capacity, acoustic and aerodynamic voice parameters, and vocal fatigue in academics. The findings are expected to contribute to the literature and support the use of EMST as a preventive and therapeutic approach for occupational groups at risk of voice disorders.

This study compares how well voice therapy works when delivered in-person versus through telehealth for older adults with age-related voice problems. Researchers are testing whether Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE®) can be just as effective when delivered remotely as when done face-to-face, which could make treatment more accessible and affordable for seniors. The two primary hypotheses are: 1. Does voice therapy (called PhoRTE®) work as well through video calls as it does face-to-face? 2. Can online therapy be a more accessible way for older adults to get help for their voice problems? Adults aged 55 or older with voice changes and an applicable diagnosis will be randomly assigned to receive either in-person or telehealth therapy, consisting of four 45-minute sessions. After treatment, researchers will measure improvements through: * Changes in voice function * Patient reports about their voice * Scientific measurements of voice quality * Patient satisfaction with treatment * Impact on quality of life The results will help determine if telehealth can be a good alternative to in-person voice therapy, especially important as telehealth coverage may be changing.