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Voice Therapy: Racial Disparities In Adherence And Clinically Significant Outcomes, Amber D. Burks

LSU Master's Theses

Voice therapy is evidence-based, behavioral intervention that can reduce functional and organic voice disorders. Despite its proven effectiveness, non-adherence to voice therapy is still an issue. Research shows that an estimated 65% of patients who initiate voice therapy drop out before reaching therapeutic goals. Voice therapy outcomes are largely dependent on patients’ adherence to treatment regimens, but there is limited information concerning factors that may be associated with voice therapy adherence and therapeutic outcomes for patients who successfully complete voice therapy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate which demographic factors could be associated with higher adherence rates to …

Attitudes About Voice And Voice Therapy Among Transgender Individuals, Stefanie E. Hays

LSU Master's Theses

Due to increased interest in the area of voice problems and treatment among transgender individuals in recent years, a study about vocal experiences, vocal handicap, and participation in treatment methods among this population is needed. This study examined vocal handicap among transgender women, transgender men, and individuals identifying as a non-binary gender through an online questionnaire. The goals of the study were to compare vocal handicap between transgender men and women as well as those who had participated in voice therapy and those who had not. Another goal was to identify reasons among transgender individuals for not participating in voice …

Vocal Fold Vibratory Characteristics Pre And Post Phonosurgery Investigated By Stroboscopy, Brittany Anne Durand

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate voice audio perceptual outcomes and true vocal fold vibratory characteristics following surgery for removal of vocal fold polyp. The specific aims of this study were 1) to determine vocal fold vibratory changes following surgery and 2) to compare these changes to audio perceptual ratings and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scores. It was hypothesized that significant vibratory changes would occur following surgery and that Voice Handicap Index scores and audio perception ratings would correlate 1 week before surgery, 1 week following surgery, and 1 month following surgery. The most improved structural, functional, and …

Effects Of The Menstrual Cycle On The Vibratory Characteristics Of The Vocal Folds, Aimee Michelle Bonnette

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary data on several factors that may influence the vibratory patterns of the vocal folds in addition to the hormonal fluctuations present during the menstrual cycle. These factors included patient reports of severity of reflux symptoms, severity of premenstrual symptoms, and severity of negative vocal hygiene behaviors prior to each evaluation. Ten subjects who did not experience complaints of their voice participated in the study. Data from four subjects who were not on birth control and four on birth control were analyzed for the first cycle, which included self-perception, acoustic analysis, and …