Articles tagged with Voice Disorders
The USF Health Institute for Voice and Hearing Innovation is a state-of-the-art facility that combines clinical research and comprehensive patient care for voice, hearing and swallowing disorders. Every patient becomes a research partner, driving innovations from lab to real-world clinical practice.
A University of Houston study challenges traditional views on dyslexia, suggesting it stems from an overall brain network vulnerability. The research identified two developmental origins: one related to brain architecture and another to synaptic signaling, which may be uniquely human.
Researchers developed a wearable Revoice device that decodes speech signals and emotional cues to enable seamless real-time communication in people with post-stroke dysarthria. The device achieved a word error rate of 4.2% and sentence error rate of 2.9%, showing promising results for stroke rehabilitation.
A new University of South Florida study highlights the impact of menopause on women's voices, particularly those who rely on their voices professionally. The research outlines a range of treatment options, including AI-powered voice biomarkers, to detect subtle vocal changes linked to menopause.
The project's recordings help improve voice recognition tools by providing diverse speech patterns to train artificial intelligence models. Microsoft has seen significant improvements in recognizing non-standard English speech, with accuracy gains ranging from 18% to 60%, depending on the speaker's disability.
A phase 2b clinical trial found that sodium oxybate, an oral medication mimicking alcohol's effects, significantly improves symptoms of patients with laryngeal dystonia who respond to alcohol. The treatment provided up to 5 hours of voice relief, with no serious adverse events.
Researchers trained an automatic speech recognizer on recordings from people with dysarthria related to Parkinson's disease, achieving a 30% accuracy improvement. The study, led by Mark Hasegawa-Johnson, provides valuable data for improving voice recognition devices.
A team of UCLA engineers has developed a soft, thin, stretchy device that can detect movement in larynx muscles and translate signals into audible speech with nearly 95% accuracy. The device is made up of two components and uses machine-learning technology to assist patients with voice disorders.
Neuroscientists at UC Berkeley have successfully reconstructed a recognizable song from brain recordings, capturing the electrical activity of brain regions tuned to music attributes. This breakthrough could enable future brain implants with prosodic content, improving communication for patients with speech disorders.
A new study found that combining conventional speech therapy with singing can improve voice problems in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The tele-rehabilitation program showed significant improvements in voice intensity and Voice Handicap Index scores, suggesting a more effective treatment approach.
Researchers found that crowdsourced listeners can accurately assess voice quality for people with Parkinson's disease, supporting the use of crowdsourcing to evaluate speech samples. The study replicated a previous finding that intensive voice and articulation therapies improve voice quality.
Northwestern University researchers developed a wearable device to track vocal usage and alert users to overuse before vocal fatigue sets in. The device, accompanying algorithms, and app help prevent injury among professionals and patients with voice disorders.
Lithuanian researchers have developed an AI system to detect early symptoms of Parkinson's disease using voice data. The study found that patients with early-stage Parkinson's often speak in a quieter, more monotonous tone, which can be difficult to notice by ear.
A new study suggests that the brain's ability to identify a voice is linked to its ability to recognize faces, with a common brain center processing both visual and auditory information. This finding has important implications for understanding disorders where voice or face recognition is compromised.
Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences developed an AI-based system to evaluate the 'substitute voice' of laryngectomy patients, allowing for faster detection of pathologies. The Acoustic Substitution Voice Index (ASVI) uses acoustic parameters and artificial intelligence methods t...
A research team developed a smart mask integrating an ultrathin soundwave sensor that detects breathing, coughing, and speaking sounds. The mask uses machine-learning algorithms to identify respiratory diseases and improve public health by enabling prolonged monitoring.
The use of voice control smart devices in children may impede critical thinking, empathy, and compassion. Devices can't teach children how to behave politely and lack non-verbal communication skills.
Scientists have identified two areas of the auditory cortex specialized to recognize human voice sounds without linguistic meaning. These regions help react to sound cues allowing people to identify characteristics of the person speaking, such as gender, age, and height. This discovery sheds light on neurological disorders affecting vo...
A survey of 147 medical professionals found that smaller endotracheal tube sizes reduce complications in professional voice users. The team hopes to establish evidence-based practices for managing the airways of these patients, who are particularly vulnerable to damage from intubation.
A MU researcher studied the relationship between stress and voice disorders, finding that stress-induced brain activations can lead to conditions like muscle tension dysphonia. The study suggests that stress can trigger physiological changes affecting speech control.
Researchers found speakers with voice disorders showed a tenfold increase in speech intelligibility errors compared to healthy speakers. Listeners also struggled with understanding words, especially those with 'breathiness' quality in their voices.
A new study uses AI to analyze voice patterns and diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The tool was able to distinguish between the voices of those with or without PTSD with high accuracy, suggesting a potential breakthrough in telemedicine approaches.
A new study by Jody E. Kreiman investigates how people perceive voice quality and defines a 'normal' voice. The results show that listeners are consistent in their judgments of abnormal voices but disagree on what constitutes a 'normal' voice, highlighting the complexity of voice perception.
Researchers have found that vocal disorders in politicians can change how listeners perceive their leadership qualities, with a preference for post-disorder voices. The study also suggests that age-related traits may be associated with perceived charisma.
VoCo enables users to edit audio tracks by typing a transcript, automatically synthesizing new words in the speaker's voice. The system uses an optimization algorithm to find and stitch together phonemes, producing natural-sounding results.
Lauren Sciences LLC has received the second grant from Voices Against Brain Cancer to continue developing LAUR-401, its innovative V-Smart Nanomedicine for Glioblastoma Multiforme. The award confirms the successful development of LAUR-401 and anticipates its potential as a transformative therapeutic for brain cancer patients.
Researchers developed a machine learning system that detects differences in accelerometer data between individuals with muscle tension dysphonia and controls. The system improved after receiving voice therapy, suggesting potential for wearable devices providing real-time feedback.
Researchers discovered a connection between pulmonary function and vocal fatigue complaints among female teachers, highlighting the importance of respiratory health for voice health. The study used spirometry measures to assess lung function and found that reduced pulmonary function was associated with increased vocal fatigue symptoms.
A large study found that most voice-hearers experience multiple voices with distinct qualities, while some also report physical effects on their bodies. The findings question traditional views of hearing voices and suggest different types of therapies could be beneficial for voice-hearers.
A smartphone app has shown promise in detecting early signs of mood changes in people with bipolar disorder through voice analysis during everyday phone conversations. The app, called PRIORI, analyzes broad features and properties of speech to identify potential mood swings.
Researchers developed a diagram of the brain circuitry enabling interplay between motor system and auditory system. This discovery could provide insight into schizophrenia and mood disorders, where individuals hear voices others do not.
Researchers at Mount Sinai are studying spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder characterized by vocal cord spasms. The team aims to identify new drug targets and diagnostic biomarkers using advanced neuroimaging methodologies.
Researchers scanned the brains of 12 freestyle rap artists to study their brain activity during improvisation. The findings show that freestyling increases brain activity in areas responsible for motivation, language, and emotion, allowing for a unique flow of thoughts and words.
Research from Duke University Medical Center finds that patients with voice problems experience nearly as many days of short-term disability claim and work productivity losses as those with chronic conditions. The study reveals that up to 40 lost workdays and $3,400 in short-term disability payments occur annually due to dysphonia.
A new study at Duke University Medical Center found that nearly 30% of Americans with voice problems have never received treatment, highlighting a need for better awareness and advocacy. The study also highlights the importance of early detection and personalized treatment plans to manage chronic conditions.
A study by researchers at the University of Malaga found that 62.7% of early childhood and primary education teachers suffer from voice disorders on a daily or weekly basis. The study highlights the psychosocial dimensions associated with these disorders, including less social support, role conflict, and reduced respect for their work.
Researchers developed a technique that analyzes speech patterns to detect early signs of Parkinson's disease. Studies show the method can distinguish between individuals with PD and healthy speakers, even in early stages of the disease.
Researchers will investigate the role of vortices in normal and abnormal voice production, with a focus on unilateral vocal cord paralysis. The goal is to develop effective treatments that restore vortices and normalize vibrations.
Primary care physicians face limitations when evaluating patients with voice problems, including hoarseness. New research reveals that only a third of physicians routinely assess voice issues, highlighting the need for improved methods to identify and treat these patients.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) is urging governments to recognize the extraordinary burden of rheumatic diseases, which affect over 100 million Europeans. The campaign aims to secure a disability-specific EU directive to prevent discrimination across all services.
The Voices of UC survey highlights the extensive impact of ulcerative colitis on patients' lives, including work, family, and social activities. The study found that nearly half of patients believe their condition is underestimated and misunderstood by others.
Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological condition that disrupts nervous signals to the vocal cords. The surgery provided long-lasting resolution of symptoms and improved physical, social, and emotional well-being in most patients, offering a permanent solution for treating the disorder.
Research suggests that laryngeal immune cells have a crucial role in tolerating inhaled antigens, screening for cancer cells, and preventing asthma. The study aims to understand how the lining responds to acid reflux or LPR and explore new diagnostic tools and treatments.
A three-year study shows that Botox injections significantly improve the voices and quality of life of patients with spasmodic dysphonia. The treatment produces a powerful and sustained improvement in voice-related quality of life, even after repeated injections.
Researchers are testing CaHA, a calcium phosphate material, to treat vocal fold disorders such as paralysis and atrophy. The study aims to improve upon existing injection materials with better efficacy and longevity.
The Voice Academy website, funded by a NIDCD grant, provides virtual classrooms and resources for kindergarten through high school teachers to learn about voice health and prevention. The site aims to help teachers address voice problems, such as hoarseness and fatigue, with behavioral changes and expert advice.